* NEWS: Mention maint info bfds.
[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 @var{directory}
2271 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2272
2273 @kindex pwd
2274 @item pwd
2275 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2276 @end table
2277
2278 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2279 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2280 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2281 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2282 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2283 current working directory of the debuggee.
2284
2285 @node Input/Output
2286 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2287
2288 @cindex redirection
2289 @cindex i/o
2290 @cindex terminal
2291 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2292 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2293 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2294 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2295 running your program.
2296
2297 @table @code
2298 @kindex info terminal
2299 @item info terminal
2300 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2301 program is using.
2302 @end table
2303
2304 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2305 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2306
2307 @smallexample
2308 run > outfile
2309 @end smallexample
2310
2311 @noindent
2312 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2313
2314 @kindex tty
2315 @cindex controlling terminal
2316 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2317 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2318 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2319 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2320 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2321
2322 @smallexample
2323 tty /dev/ttyb
2324 @end smallexample
2325
2326 @noindent
2327 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2328 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2329 that as their controlling terminal.
2330
2331 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2332 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2333 terminal.
2334
2335 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2336 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2337 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2338 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2339
2340 @cindex inferior tty
2341 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2342 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2343 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2344 program.
2345
2346 @table @code
2347 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2348 @kindex set inferior-tty
2349 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2350
2351 @item show inferior-tty
2352 @kindex show inferior-tty
2353 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2354 @end table
2355
2356 @node Attach
2357 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2358 @kindex attach
2359 @cindex attach
2360
2361 @table @code
2362 @item attach @var{process-id}
2363 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2364 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2365 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2366 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2367 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2368
2369 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2370 executing the command.
2371 @end table
2372
2373 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2374 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2375 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2376 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2377
2378 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2379 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2380 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2381 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2382 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2383 Specify Files}.
2384
2385 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2386 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2387 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2388 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2389 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2390 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2391 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2392
2393 @table @code
2394 @kindex detach
2395 @item detach
2396 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2397 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2398 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2399 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2400 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2401 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2402 executing the command.
2403 @end table
2404
2405 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2406 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2407 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2408 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2409 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2410 Messages}).
2411
2412 @node Kill Process
2413 @section Killing the Child Process
2414
2415 @table @code
2416 @kindex kill
2417 @item kill
2418 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2419 @end table
2420
2421 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2422 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2423 is running.
2424
2425 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2426 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2427 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2428 outside the debugger.
2429
2430 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2431 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2432 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2433 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2434 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2435 breakpoint settings).
2436
2437 @node Inferiors and Programs
2438 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2439
2440 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2441 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2442 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2443 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2444 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2445 from multiple executables.
2446
2447 @cindex inferior
2448 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2449 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2450 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2451 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2452 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2453 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2454 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2455 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2456 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2457 threads running in it.
2458
2459 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2460 inferiors}}:
2461
2462 @table @code
2463 @kindex info inferiors
2464 @item info inferiors
2465 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2466
2467 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2468
2469 @enumerate
2470 @item
2471 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2472
2473 @item
2474 the target system's inferior identifier
2475
2476 @item
2477 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2478
2479 @end enumerate
2480
2481 @noindent
2482 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2483 indicates the current inferior.
2484
2485 For example,
2486 @end table
2487 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2488
2489 @smallexample
2490 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2491 Num Description Executable
2492 2 process 2307 hello
2493 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2494 @end smallexample
2495
2496 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2500 @item inferior @var{infno}
2501 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2502 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2503 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2504 @end table
2505
2506
2507 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2508 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2509 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2510 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2511 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2512 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2513
2514 @table @code
2515 @kindex add-inferior
2516 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2517 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2518 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2519 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2520 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2521 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2522
2523 @kindex clone-inferior
2524 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2525 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2526 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2527 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2528 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2529
2530 @smallexample
2531 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2532 Num Description Executable
2533 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2534 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2535 Added inferior 2.
2536 1 inferiors added.
2537 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2538 Num Description Executable
2539 2 <null> helloworld
2540 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2541 @end smallexample
2542
2543 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2544
2545 @kindex remove-inferiors
2546 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2547 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2548 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2549 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2550
2551 @end table
2552
2553 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2554 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2555 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2556 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2557
2558 @table @code
2559 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2560 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2561 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2562 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2563 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2564 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2565
2566 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2567 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2568 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2569 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2570 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2571 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2572 @end table
2573
2574 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2575 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2576 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2577 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2578
2579
2580 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2581 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2582
2583 @table @code
2584 @kindex set print inferior-events
2585 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2586 @item set print inferior-events
2587 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2588 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2589 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2590 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2591 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2592 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2593
2594 @kindex show print inferior-events
2595 @item show print inferior-events
2596 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2597 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2598 @end table
2599
2600 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2601 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2602 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2603
2604
2605 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2606 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2607 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2608 info program-spaces}} command.
2609
2610 @table @code
2611 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2612 @item maint info program-spaces
2613 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2614 @value{GDBN}.
2615
2616 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2617
2618 @enumerate
2619 @item
2620 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2621
2622 @item
2623 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2624 the @code{file} command.
2625
2626 @end enumerate
2627
2628 @noindent
2629 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2630 indicates the current program space.
2631
2632 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2633 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2634 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2635
2636 @smallexample
2637 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2638 Id Executable
2639 2 goodbye
2640 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2641 * 1 hello
2642 @end smallexample
2643
2644 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2645 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2646 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2647 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2648 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2649
2650 @smallexample
2651 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2652 Id Executable
2653 * 1 vfork-test
2654 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2655 @end smallexample
2656
2657 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2658 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2659 @end table
2660
2661 @node Threads
2662 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2663
2664 @cindex threads of execution
2665 @cindex multiple threads
2666 @cindex switching threads
2667 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2668 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2669 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2670 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2671 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2672 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2673 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2674
2675 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2676 programs:
2677
2678 @itemize @bullet
2679 @item automatic notification of new threads
2680 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2681 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2682 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2683 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2684 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2685 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2686 messages on thread start and exit.
2687 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2688 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2689 isn't compatible with the program.
2690 @end itemize
2691
2692 @quotation
2693 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2694 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2695 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2696 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2697 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2698 like this:
2699
2700 @smallexample
2701 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2702 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2703 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2704 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2705 @end smallexample
2706 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2707 @c doesn't support threads"?
2708 @end quotation
2709
2710 @cindex focus of debugging
2711 @cindex current thread
2712 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2713 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2714 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2715 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2716 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2717
2718 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2719 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2720 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2721 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2722 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2723 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2724 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2725 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2726 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2727 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2728
2729 @smallexample
2730 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2731 @end smallexample
2732
2733 @noindent
2734 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2735 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2736 further qualifier.
2737
2738 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2739 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2740 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2741 @c program?
2742 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2743 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2744 @c threads ab initio?
2745
2746 @cindex thread number
2747 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2748 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2749 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2750
2751 @table @code
2752 @kindex info threads
2753 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2754 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2755 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2756 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2757 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2758
2759 @enumerate
2760 @item
2761 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2762
2763 @item
2764 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2765
2766 @item
2767 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2768 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2769 program itself.
2770
2771 @item
2772 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2773 @end enumerate
2774
2775 @noindent
2776 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2777 indicates the current thread.
2778
2779 For example,
2780 @end table
2781 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2782
2783 @smallexample
2784 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2785 Id Target Id Frame
2786 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2787 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2788 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2789 at threadtest.c:68
2790 @end smallexample
2791
2792 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2793 Solaris-specific command:
2794
2795 @table @code
2796 @item maint info sol-threads
2797 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2798 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2799 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2800 @end table
2801
2802 @table @code
2803 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2804 @item thread @var{threadno}
2805 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2806 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2807 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2808 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2809 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2810
2811 @smallexample
2812 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2813 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2814 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2815 8 printf ("hello\n");
2816 @end smallexample
2817
2818 @noindent
2819 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2820 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2821 threads.
2822
2823 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2824 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2825 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2826 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2827 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2828 information on convenience variables.
2829
2830 @kindex thread apply
2831 @cindex apply command to several threads
2832 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2833 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2834 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2835 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2836 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2837 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2838 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2839 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2840
2841 @kindex thread name
2842 @cindex name a thread
2843 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2844 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2845 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2846 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2847
2848 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2849 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2850 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2851 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2852 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2853
2854 @kindex thread find
2855 @cindex search for a thread
2856 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2857 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2858 matches the supplied regular expression.
2859
2860 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2861 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2862 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2863 is the LWP id.
2864
2865 @smallexample
2866 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2867 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2868 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2869 Id Target Id Frame
2870 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2871 @end smallexample
2872
2873 @kindex set print thread-events
2874 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2875 @item set print thread-events
2876 @itemx set print thread-events on
2877 @itemx set print thread-events off
2878 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2879 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2880 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2881 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2882 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2883
2884 @kindex show print thread-events
2885 @item show print thread-events
2886 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2887 have started and exited.
2888 @end table
2889
2890 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2891 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2892 programs with multiple threads.
2893
2894 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2895 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2896
2897 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2898 @table @code
2899 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2900 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2901 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2902 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2903 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2904 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2905 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2906 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2907 macro.
2908
2909 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2910 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2911 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2912 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2913 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2914 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2915
2916 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2917 refers to the default system directories that are
2918 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2919 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2920 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2921
2922 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2923 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2924 was loaded in the inferior process.
2925
2926 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2927 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2928 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2929 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2930 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2931 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2932 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2933
2934 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2935 only on some platforms.
2936
2937 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2938 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2939 Display current libthread_db search path.
2940
2941 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2942 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2943 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2944 @item set debug libthread-db
2945 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2946 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2947 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2948 @end table
2949
2950 @node Forks
2951 @section Debugging Forks
2952
2953 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2954 @cindex multiple processes
2955 @cindex processes, multiple
2956 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2957 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2958 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2959 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2960 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2961 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2962 will cause it to terminate.
2963
2964 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2965 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2966 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2967 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2968 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2969 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2970 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2971 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2972 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2973 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2974
2975 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2976 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2977 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2978 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2979
2980 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2981 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2982
2983 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2984 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2985
2986 @table @code
2987 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2988 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2989 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2990 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2991 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2992
2993 @table @code
2994 @item parent
2995 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2996 unimpeded. This is the default.
2997
2998 @item child
2999 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3000 unimpeded.
3001
3002 @end table
3003
3004 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3005 @item show follow-fork-mode
3006 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3007 @end table
3008
3009 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3010 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3011 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3012
3013 @table @code
3014 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3015 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3016 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3017 retain debugger control over them both.
3018
3019 @table @code
3020 @item on
3021 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3022 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3023 independently. This is the default.
3024
3025 @item off
3026 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3027 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3028 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3029 is held suspended.
3030
3031 @end table
3032
3033 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3034 @item show detach-on-fork
3035 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3036 @end table
3037
3038 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3039 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3040 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3041 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3042 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3043 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3044
3045 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3046 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3047 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3048 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3049 and Programs}.
3050
3051 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3052 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3053 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3054 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3055 the child process's @code{main}.
3056
3057 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3058 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3059
3060 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3061 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3062 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3063 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3064 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3065 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3066 command.
3067
3068 @table @code
3069 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3070 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3071
3072 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3073 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3074
3075 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3076
3077 @table @code
3078 @item new
3079 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3080 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3081 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3082 original inferior.
3083
3084 For example:
3085
3086 @smallexample
3087 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3088 (gdb) info inferior
3089 Id Description Executable
3090 * 1 <null> prog1
3091 (@value{GDBP}) run
3092 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3093 Program exited normally.
3094 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3095 Id Description Executable
3096 * 2 <null> prog2
3097 1 <null> prog1
3098 @end smallexample
3099
3100 @item same
3101 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3102 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3103 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3104 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3105 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3106
3107 For example:
3108
3109 @smallexample
3110 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3111 Id Description Executable
3112 * 1 <null> prog1
3113 (@value{GDBP}) run
3114 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3115 Program exited normally.
3116 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3117 Id Description Executable
3118 * 1 <null> prog2
3119 @end smallexample
3120
3121 @end table
3122 @end table
3123
3124 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3125 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3126 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3127
3128 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3129 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3130
3131 @cindex checkpoint
3132 @cindex restart
3133 @cindex bookmark
3134 @cindex snapshot of a process
3135 @cindex rewind program state
3136
3137 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3138 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3139 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3140 later.
3141
3142 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3143 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3144 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3145 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3146 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3147
3148 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3149 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3150 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3151 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3152 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3153 start again from there.
3154
3155 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3156 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3157
3158 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3159
3160 @table @code
3161 @kindex checkpoint
3162 @item checkpoint
3163 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3164 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3165 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3166
3167 @kindex info checkpoints
3168 @item info checkpoints
3169 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3170 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3171 listed:
3172
3173 @table @code
3174 @item Checkpoint ID
3175 @item Process ID
3176 @item Code Address
3177 @item Source line, or label
3178 @end table
3179
3180 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3181 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3182 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3183 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3184 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3185 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3186 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3187
3188 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3189 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3190 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3191 the debugger.
3192
3193 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3194 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3195 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3196
3197 @end table
3198
3199 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3200 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3201 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3202 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3203 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3204 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3205 previously read data can be read again.
3206
3207 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3208 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3209 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3210 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3211 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3212 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3213
3214 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3215 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3216 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3217 different execution path this time.
3218
3219 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3220 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3221 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3222 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3223 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3224 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3225 potentially pose a problem.
3226
3227 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3228
3229 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3230 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3231 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3232 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3233 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3234 next.
3235
3236 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3237 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3238 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3239 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3240 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3241
3242 @node Stopping
3243 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3244
3245 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3246 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3247 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3248
3249 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3250 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3251 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3252 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3253 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3254 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3255 explicitly request this information at any time.
3256
3257 @table @code
3258 @kindex info program
3259 @item info program
3260 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3261 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3262 @end table
3263
3264 @menu
3265 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3266 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3267 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3268 Skipping over functions and files
3269 * Signals:: Signals
3270 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3271 @end menu
3272
3273 @node Breakpoints
3274 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3275
3276 @cindex breakpoints
3277 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3278 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3279 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3280 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3281 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3282 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3283 program.
3284
3285 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3286 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3287 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3288 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3289 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3290 call).
3291
3292 @cindex watchpoints
3293 @cindex data breakpoints
3294 @cindex memory tracing
3295 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3296 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3297 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3298 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3299 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3300 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3301 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3302 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3303 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3304 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3305 same commands.
3306
3307 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3308 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3309 Automatic Display}.
3310
3311 @cindex catchpoints
3312 @cindex breakpoint on events
3313 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3314 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3315 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3316 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3317 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3318 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3319 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3320
3321 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3322 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3323 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3324 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3325 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3326 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3327 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3328 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3329 enable it again.
3330
3331 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3332 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3333 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3334 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3335 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3336 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3337 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3338
3339 @menu
3340 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3341 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3342 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3343 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3344 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3345 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3346 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3347 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3348 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3349 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3350 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3351 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3352 @end menu
3353
3354 @node Set Breaks
3355 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3356
3357 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3358 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3359 @c
3360 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3361
3362 @kindex break
3363 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3364 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3365 @cindex latest breakpoint
3366 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3367 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3368 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3369 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3370 convenience variables.
3371
3372 @table @code
3373 @item break @var{location}
3374 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3375 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3376 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3377 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3378 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3379
3380 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3381 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3382 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3383 that situation.
3384
3385 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3386 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3387 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3388
3389 @item break
3390 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3391 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3392 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3393 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3394 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3395 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3396 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3397 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3398 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3399 inside loops.
3400
3401 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3402 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3403 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3404 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3405 existed when your program stopped.
3406
3407 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3408 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3409 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3410 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3411 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3412 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3413 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3414
3415 @kindex tbreak
3416 @item tbreak @var{args}
3417 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3418 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3419 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3420 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3421
3422 @kindex hbreak
3423 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3424 @item hbreak @var{args}
3425 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3426 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3427 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3428 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3429 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3430 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3431 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3432 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3433 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3434 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3435 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3436 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3437 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3438 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3439 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3440 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3441 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3442 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3443
3444 @kindex thbreak
3445 @item thbreak @var{args}
3446 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3447 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3448 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3449 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3450 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3451 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3452 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3453 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3454
3455 @kindex rbreak
3456 @cindex regular expression
3457 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3458 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3459 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3460 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3461 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3462 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3463 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3464 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3465 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3466
3467 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3468 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3469 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3470 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3471 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3472 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3473
3474 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3475 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3476 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3477 classes.
3478
3479 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3480 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3481 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3482
3483 @smallexample
3484 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3485 @end smallexample
3486
3487 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3488 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3489 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3490 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3491 every function in a given file:
3492
3493 @smallexample
3494 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3495 @end smallexample
3496
3497 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3498 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3499
3500 @kindex info breakpoints
3501 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3502 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3503 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3504 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3505 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3506 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3507 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3508
3509 @table @emph
3510 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3511 @item Type
3512 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3513 @item Disposition
3514 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3515 @item Enabled or Disabled
3516 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3517 that are not enabled.
3518 @item Address
3519 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3520 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3521 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3522 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3523 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3524 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3525 @item What
3526 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3527 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3528 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3529 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3530 @end table
3531
3532 @noindent
3533 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3534 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3535 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3536 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3537 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3538 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3539
3540 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3541 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3542 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3543 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3544
3545 @noindent
3546 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3547 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3548 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3549 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3550 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3551
3552 @noindent
3553 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3554 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3555 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3556 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3557 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3558 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3559
3560 @noindent
3561 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3562 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3563
3564 @end table
3565
3566 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3567 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3568 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3569 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3570
3571 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3572 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3573 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3574 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3575
3576 @itemize @bullet
3577 @item
3578 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3579
3580 @item
3581 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3582 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3583
3584 @item
3585 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3586 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3587
3588 @item
3589 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3590 several places where that function is inlined.
3591 @end itemize
3592
3593 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3594 the relevant locations.
3595
3596 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3597 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3598 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3599 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3600 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3601 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3602 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3603
3604 For example:
3605
3606 @smallexample
3607 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3608 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3609 stop only if i==1
3610 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3611 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3612 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3613 @end smallexample
3614
3615 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3616 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3617 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3618 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3619 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3620 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3621 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3622 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3623 that belong to that breakpoint.
3624
3625 @cindex pending breakpoints
3626 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3627 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3628 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3629 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3630 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3631 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3632 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3633 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3634 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3635 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3636 is not yet resolved.
3637
3638 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3639 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3640 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3641 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3642 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3643 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3644
3645 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3646 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3647 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3648 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3649
3650 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3651 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3652 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3653
3654 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3655 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3656 address specification to an address:
3657
3658 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3659 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3660 @table @code
3661 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3662 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3663 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3664
3665 @item set breakpoint pending on
3666 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3667 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3668
3669 @item set breakpoint pending off
3670 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3671 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3672 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3673
3674 @item show breakpoint pending
3675 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3676 @end table
3677
3678 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3679 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3680 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3681
3682 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3683 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3684 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3685 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3686 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3687 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3688 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3689 breakpoints.
3690
3691 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3692
3693 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3694 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3695 @table @code
3696 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3697 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3698 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3699 breakpoint must be used.
3700
3701 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3702 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3703 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3704 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3705 @end table
3706
3707 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3708 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3709 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3710 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3711 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3712 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3713 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3714 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3715 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3716
3717 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3718 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3719 @table @code
3720 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3721 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3722 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3723 removed from the target when it stops.
3724
3725 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3726 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3727 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3728 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3729 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3730
3731 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3732 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3733 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3734 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3735 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3736 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3737 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3738 @end table
3739
3740 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3741 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3742 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3743
3744 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3745 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3746
3747 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3748
3749 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3750 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3751 @table @code
3752 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3753 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3754 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3755 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3756 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3757
3758 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3759 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3760 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3761 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3762 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3763 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3764 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3765 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3766 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3767 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3768 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3769 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3770 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3771
3772 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3773 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3774 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3775 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3776 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3777 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3778 @end table
3779
3780
3781 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3782 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3783 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3784 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3785 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3786 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3787 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3788 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3789
3790
3791 @node Set Watchpoints
3792 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3793
3794 @cindex setting watchpoints
3795 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3796 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3797 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3798 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3799 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3800
3801 @itemize @bullet
3802 @item
3803 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3804
3805 @item
3806 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3807 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3808 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3809
3810 @item
3811 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3812 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3813 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3814 @end itemize
3815
3816 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3817 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3818 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3819 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3820 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3821 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3822 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3823 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3824 the expression changes.
3825
3826 @cindex software watchpoints
3827 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3828 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3829 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3830 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3831 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3832 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3833 culprit.)
3834
3835 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3836 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3837 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3838
3839 @table @code
3840 @kindex watch
3841 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3842 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3843 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3844 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3845 to watch the value of a single variable:
3846
3847 @smallexample
3848 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3849 @end smallexample
3850
3851 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3852 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3853 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3854 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3855 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3856 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3857
3858 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3859 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3860 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3861 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3862 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3863 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3864 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3865 error.
3866
3867 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3868 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3869 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3870 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3871 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3872 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3873 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3874 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3875 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3876 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3877 Examples:
3878
3879 @smallexample
3880 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3881 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3882 @end smallexample
3883
3884 @kindex rwatch
3885 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3886 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3887 by the program.
3888
3889 @kindex awatch
3890 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3891 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3892 or written into by the program.
3893
3894 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3895 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3896 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3897 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3898 @end table
3899
3900 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3901 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3902 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3903 a never-changing value:
3904
3905 @smallexample
3906 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3907 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3908 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3909 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3910 @end smallexample
3911
3912 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3913 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3914 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3915 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3916 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3917 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3918
3919 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3920 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3921 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3922 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3923 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3924 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3925 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3926 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3927
3928 @table @code
3929 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3930 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3931 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3932
3933 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3934 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3935 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3936 @end table
3937
3938 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3939 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3940 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3941
3942 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3943
3944 @smallexample
3945 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3946 @end smallexample
3947
3948 @noindent
3949 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3950
3951 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3952 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3953 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3954 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3955 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3956 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3957 will print a message like this:
3958
3959 @smallexample
3960 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3961 @end smallexample
3962
3963 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3964 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3965 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3966 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3967 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3968 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3969 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3970 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3971
3972 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3973 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3974 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3975 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3976 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3977 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3978
3979 @smallexample
3980 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3981 @end smallexample
3982
3983 @noindent
3984 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3985
3986 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3987 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3988 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3989 expression with separately allocated resources.
3990
3991 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3992 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3993 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3994
3995 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3996 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3997 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3998 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3999 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4000 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4001 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4002 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4003 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4004
4005 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4006 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4007 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4008 watched expression from every thread.
4009
4010 @quotation
4011 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4012 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4013 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4014 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4015 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4016 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4017 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4018 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4019 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4020 @end quotation
4021
4022 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4023
4024 @node Set Catchpoints
4025 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4026 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4027 @cindex exception handlers
4028 @cindex event handling
4029
4030 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4031 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4032 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4033
4034 @table @code
4035 @kindex catch
4036 @item catch @var{event}
4037 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4038 @table @code
4039 @item throw
4040 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4041 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4042
4043 @item catch
4044 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4045
4046 @item exception
4047 @cindex Ada exception catching
4048 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4049 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4050 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4051 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4052 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4053
4054 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4055 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4056 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4057 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4058 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4059 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4060 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4061 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4062
4063 @item exception unhandled
4064 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4065
4066 @item assert
4067 A failed Ada assertion.
4068
4069 @item exec
4070 @cindex break on fork/exec
4071 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4072 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4073
4074 @item syscall
4075 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4076 @cindex break on a system call.
4077 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4078 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4079 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4080 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4081 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4082 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4083 will be caught.
4084
4085 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4086 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4087 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4088 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4089
4090 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4091 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4092 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4093 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4094
4095 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4096 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4097 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4098 available choices.
4099
4100 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4101 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4102 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4103 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4104 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4105 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4106 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4107 behind the OS upgrades).
4108
4109 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4110 arguments to it:
4111
4112 @smallexample
4113 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4114 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4115 (@value{GDBP}) r
4116 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4117
4118 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4119 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4120 (@value{GDBP}) c
4121 Continuing.
4122
4123 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4124 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4125 (@value{GDBP})
4126 @end smallexample
4127
4128 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4129
4130 @smallexample
4131 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4132 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4133 (@value{GDBP}) r
4134 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4135
4136 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4137 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4138 (@value{GDBP}) c
4139 Continuing.
4140
4141 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4142 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4143 (@value{GDBP})
4144 @end smallexample
4145
4146 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4147 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4148 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4149
4150 @smallexample
4151 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4152 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4153 (@value{GDBP}) r
4154 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4155
4156 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4157 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4158 (@value{GDBP}) c
4159 Continuing.
4160
4161 Program exited normally.
4162 (@value{GDBP})
4163 @end smallexample
4164
4165 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4166 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4167 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4168 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4169
4170 @smallexample
4171 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4172 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4173 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4174 (@value{GDBP})
4175 @end smallexample
4176
4177 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4178 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4179 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4180 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4181 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4182 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4183
4184 @smallexample
4185 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4186 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4187 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4188 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4189 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4190 (@value{GDBP})
4191 @end smallexample
4192
4193 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4194
4195 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4196 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4197
4198 @smallexample
4199 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4200 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4201 @end smallexample
4202
4203 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4204
4205 @item fork
4206 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4207 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4208
4209 @item vfork
4210 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4211 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4212
4213 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4214 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4215 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4216 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4217 matches one of the affected libraries.
4218
4219 @end table
4220
4221 @item tcatch @var{event}
4222 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4223 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4224
4225 @end table
4226
4227 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4228
4229 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4230 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4231
4232 @itemize @bullet
4233 @item
4234 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4235 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4236 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4237 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4238 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4239 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4240 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4241 disabled within interactive calls.
4242
4243 @item
4244 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4245
4246 @item
4247 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4248 @end itemize
4249
4250 @cindex raise exceptions
4251 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4252 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4253 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4254 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4255 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4256 out where the exception was raised.
4257
4258 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4259 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4260 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4261 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4262
4263 @smallexample
4264 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4265 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4266 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4267 @end smallexample
4268
4269 @noindent
4270 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4271 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4272 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4273
4274 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4275 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4276 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4277 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4278 raised.
4279
4280
4281 @node Delete Breaks
4282 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4283
4284 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4285 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4286 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4287 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4288 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4289 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4290
4291 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4292 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4293 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4294 their breakpoint numbers.
4295
4296 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4297 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4298 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4299
4300 @table @code
4301 @kindex clear
4302 @item clear
4303 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4304 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4305 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4306 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4307
4308 @item clear @var{location}
4309 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4310 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4311 most useful ones are listed below:
4312
4313 @table @code
4314 @item clear @var{function}
4315 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4316 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4317
4318 @item clear @var{linenum}
4319 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4320 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4321 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4322 @end table
4323
4324 @cindex delete breakpoints
4325 @kindex delete
4326 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4327 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4328 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4329 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4330 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4331 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4332 @end table
4333
4334 @node Disabling
4335 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4336
4337 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4338 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4339 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4340 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4341 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4342
4343 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4344 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4345 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4346 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4347 do not know which numbers to use.
4348
4349 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4350 affects all of its locations.
4351
4352 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4353 different states of enablement:
4354
4355 @itemize @bullet
4356 @item
4357 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4358 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4359 @item
4360 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4361 @item
4362 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4363 disabled.
4364 @item
4365 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4366 N times, then becomes disabled.
4367 @item
4368 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4369 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4370 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4371 @end itemize
4372
4373 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4374 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4375
4376 @table @code
4377 @kindex disable
4378 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4379 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4380 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4381 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4382 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4383 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4384 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4385
4386 @kindex enable
4387 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4388 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4389 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4390
4391 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4392 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4393 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4394
4395 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4396 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4397 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4398 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4399 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4400 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4401 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4402
4403 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4404 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4405 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4406 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4407 @end table
4408
4409 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4410 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4411 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4412 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4413 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4414 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4415 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4416 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4417 Stepping}.)
4418
4419 @node Conditions
4420 @subsection Break Conditions
4421 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4422 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4423
4424 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4425 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4426 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4427 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4428 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4429 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4430 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4431 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4432
4433 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4434 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4435 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4436 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4437 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4438
4439 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4440 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4441 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4442 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4443 one.
4444
4445 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4446 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4447 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4448 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4449 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4450 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4451 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4452 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4453 conditions for the
4454 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4455 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4456
4457 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4458 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4459 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4460 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4461 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4462 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4463
4464 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4465 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4466 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4467 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4468 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4469
4470 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4471 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4472 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4473 with the @code{condition} command.
4474
4475 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4476 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4477 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4478 catchpoint.
4479
4480 @table @code
4481 @kindex condition
4482 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4483 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4484 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4485 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4486 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4487 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4488 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4489 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4490 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4491 prints an error message:
4492
4493 @smallexample
4494 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4495 @end smallexample
4496
4497 @noindent
4498 @value{GDBN} does
4499 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4500 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4501 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4502
4503 @item condition @var{bnum}
4504 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4505 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4506 @end table
4507
4508 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4509 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4510 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4511 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4512 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4513 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4514 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4515 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4516 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4517 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4518 your program reaches it.
4519
4520 @table @code
4521 @kindex ignore
4522 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4523 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4524 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4525 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4526 takes no action.
4527
4528 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4529 a count of zero.
4530
4531 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4532 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4533 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4534 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4535
4536 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4537 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4538 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4539
4540 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4541 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4542 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4543 Variables}.
4544 @end table
4545
4546 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4547
4548
4549 @node Break Commands
4550 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4551
4552 @cindex breakpoint commands
4553 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4554 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4555 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4556 enable other breakpoints.
4557
4558 @table @code
4559 @kindex commands
4560 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4561 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4562 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4563 @itemx end
4564 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4565 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4566 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4567
4568 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4569 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4570
4571 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4572 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4573 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4574 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4575 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4576 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4577 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4578 Expressions}).
4579 @end table
4580
4581 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4582 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4583
4584 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4585 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4586 that resumes execution.
4587
4588 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4589 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4590 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4591 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4592 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4593
4594 @kindex silent
4595 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4596 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4597 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4598 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4599 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4600 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4601
4602 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4603 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4604 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4605
4606 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4607 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4608
4609 @smallexample
4610 break foo if x>0
4611 commands
4612 silent
4613 printf "x is %d\n",x
4614 cont
4615 end
4616 @end smallexample
4617
4618 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4619 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4620 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4621 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4622 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4623 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4624 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4625
4626 @smallexample
4627 break 403
4628 commands
4629 silent
4630 set x = y + 4
4631 cont
4632 end
4633 @end smallexample
4634
4635 @node Dynamic Printf
4636 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4637
4638 @cindex dynamic printf
4639 @cindex dprintf
4640 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4641 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4642 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4643 having to recompile it.
4644
4645 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4646 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4647 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4648 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4649 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4650 redirects to files and so forth.
4651
4652 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4653 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4654 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4655 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4656 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4657 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4658 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4659
4660 @table @code
4661 @kindex dprintf
4662 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4663 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4664 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4665 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4666
4667 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4668 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4669 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4670 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4671 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4672 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4673
4674 @item gdb
4675 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4676 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4677
4678 @item call
4679 @kindex dprintf-style call
4680 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4681 @code{printf}).
4682
4683 @item agent
4684 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4685 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4686 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4687 support running commands on the target.
4688
4689 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4690 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4691 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4692 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4693 command.
4694
4695 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4696 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4697 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4698 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4699 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4700 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4701
4702 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4703 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4704 you could do the following:
4705
4706 @example
4707 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4708 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4709 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4710 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4711 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4712 (gdb) info break
4713 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4714 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4715 continue
4716 (gdb)
4717 @end example
4718
4719 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4720 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4721 the variable settings.
4722
4723 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4724 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4725 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4726 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4727 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4728 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4729
4730 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4731 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4732 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4733
4734 @end table
4735
4736 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4737 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4738 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4739 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4740 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4741 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4742
4743 @node Save Breakpoints
4744 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4745
4746 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4747 breakpoints}} command.
4748
4749 @table @code
4750 @kindex save breakpoints
4751 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4752 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4753 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4754 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4755 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4756 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4757 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4758 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4759 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4760 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4761 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4762 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4763 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4764 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4765 that can no longer be recreated.
4766 @end table
4767
4768 @node Static Probe Points
4769 @subsection Static Probe Points
4770
4771 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4772 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4773 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4774 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4775 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4776 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4777 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4778
4779 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4780 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4781 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4782 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4783 in your applications.
4784
4785 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4786 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4787 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4788 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4789 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4790 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4791 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4792 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4793
4794 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4795 probes}, with optional arguments:
4796
4797 @table @code
4798 @kindex info probes
4799 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4800 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4801 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4802 probes from all providers are listed.
4803
4804 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4805 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4806 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4807
4808 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4809 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4810 given, all object files are considered.
4811
4812 @item info probes all
4813 List the available static probes, from all types.
4814 @end table
4815
4816 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4817 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4818 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4819 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4820 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4821 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4822 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4823 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4824 at the current probe point.
4825
4826 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4827 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4828 an error message.
4829
4830
4831 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4832 @node Error in Breakpoints
4833 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4834
4835 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4836 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4837
4838 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4839 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4840 @smallexample
4841 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4842 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4843 @end smallexample
4844
4845 @noindent
4846 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4847 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4848 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4849
4850 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4851 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4852
4853 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4854 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4855 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4856
4857 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4858 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4859 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4860 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4861
4862 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4863 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4864 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4865 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4866 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4867 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4868 first in the bundle.
4869
4870 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4871 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4872 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4873 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4874 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4875 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4876 is hit.
4877
4878 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4879 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4880
4881 @smallexample
4882 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4883 @end smallexample
4884
4885 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4886 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4887 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4888 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4889 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4890 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4891 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4892 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4893
4894 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4895 adjusted breakpoints:
4896
4897 @smallexample
4898 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4899 to 0x00010410.
4900 @end smallexample
4901
4902 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4903 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4904 frequently than expected.
4905
4906 @node Continuing and Stepping
4907 @section Continuing and Stepping
4908
4909 @cindex stepping
4910 @cindex continuing
4911 @cindex resuming execution
4912 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4913 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4914 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4915 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4916 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4917 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4918 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4919 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4920
4921 @table @code
4922 @kindex continue
4923 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4924 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4925 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4926 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4927 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4928 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4929 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4930 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4931 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4932 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4933
4934 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4935 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4936 @code{continue} is ignored.
4937
4938 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4939 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4940 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4941 @code{continue}.
4942 @end table
4943
4944 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4945 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4946 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4947 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4948
4949 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4950 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4951 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4952 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4953 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4954 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4955
4956 @table @code
4957 @kindex step
4958 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4959 @item step
4960 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4961 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4962 abbreviated @code{s}.
4963
4964 @quotation
4965 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4966 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4967 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4968 @c distinction here.
4969 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4970 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4971 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4972 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4973 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4974 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4975 below.
4976 @end quotation
4977
4978 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4979 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4980 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4981 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4982 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4983 called within the line.
4984
4985 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4986 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4987 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4988 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4989 was any debugging information about the routine.
4990
4991 @item step @var{count}
4992 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4993 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4994 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4995
4996 @kindex next
4997 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4998 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4999 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5000 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5001 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5002 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5003 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5004 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5005
5006 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5007
5008
5009 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5010 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5011 @c
5012 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5013 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5014 @c function are executed without stopping.
5015
5016 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5017 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5018 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5019
5020 @kindex set step-mode
5021 @item set step-mode
5022 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5023 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5024 @itemx set step-mode on
5025 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5026 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5027 information rather than stepping over it.
5028
5029 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5030 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5031 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5032
5033 @item set step-mode off
5034 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5035 debug information. This is the default.
5036
5037 @item show step-mode
5038 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5039 source line debug information.
5040
5041 @kindex finish
5042 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5043 @item finish
5044 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5045 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5046 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5047
5048 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5049 ,Returning from a Function}).
5050
5051 @kindex until
5052 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5053 @cindex run until specified location
5054 @item until
5055 @itemx u
5056 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5057 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5058 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5059 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5060 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5061 than the address of the jump.
5062
5063 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5064 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5065 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5066 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5067 through the next iteration.
5068
5069 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5070 stack frame.
5071
5072 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5073 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5074 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5075 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5076 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5077
5078 @smallexample
5079 (@value{GDBP}) f
5080 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5081 206 expand_input();
5082 (@value{GDBP}) until
5083 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5084 @end smallexample
5085
5086 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5087 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5088 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5089 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5090 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5091 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5092 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5093
5094 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5095 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5096 argument.
5097
5098 @item until @var{location}
5099 @itemx u @var{location}
5100 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5101 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5102 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5103 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5104 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5105 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5106 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5107 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5108 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5109 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5110 invocations have returned.
5111
5112 @smallexample
5113 94 int factorial (int value)
5114 95 @{
5115 96 if (value > 1) @{
5116 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5117 98 @}
5118 99 return (value);
5119 100 @}
5120 @end smallexample
5121
5122
5123 @kindex advance @var{location}
5124 @item advance @var{location}
5125 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5126 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5127 @ref{Specify Location}.
5128 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5129 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5130 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5131 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5132
5133
5134 @kindex stepi
5135 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5136 @item stepi
5137 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5138 @itemx si
5139 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5140
5141 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5142 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5143 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5144 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5145
5146 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5147
5148 @need 750
5149 @kindex nexti
5150 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5151 @item nexti
5152 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5153 @itemx ni
5154 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5155 proceed until the function returns.
5156
5157 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5158 @end table
5159
5160 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5161 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5162 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5163
5164 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5165 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5166 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5167
5168 For example, consider the following C function:
5169
5170 @smallexample
5171 101 int func()
5172 102 @{
5173 103 foo(boring());
5174 104 bar(boring());
5175 105 @}
5176 @end smallexample
5177
5178 @noindent
5179 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5180 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5181 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5182 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5183
5184 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5185 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5186 is called from many places.
5187
5188 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5189 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5190 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5191 @code{foo}.
5192
5193 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5194 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5195
5196 @table @code
5197 @kindex skip function
5198 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5199 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5200 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5201 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5202 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5203
5204 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5205 will be skipped.
5206
5207 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5208 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5209
5210 @kindex skip file
5211 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5212 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5213 will be skipped over when stepping.
5214
5215 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5216 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5217 @end table
5218
5219 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5220 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5221
5222 @table @code
5223 @kindex info skip
5224 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5225 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5226 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5227 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5228
5229 @table @emph
5230 @item Identifier
5231 A number identifying this skip.
5232 @item Type
5233 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5234 @item Enabled or Disabled
5235 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5236 @item Address
5237 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5238 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5239 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5240 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5241 address here.
5242 @item What
5243 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5244 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5245 where it is defined.
5246 @end table
5247
5248 @kindex skip delete
5249 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5250 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5251 skips.
5252
5253 @kindex skip enable
5254 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5255 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5256 skips.
5257
5258 @kindex skip disable
5259 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5260 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5261 skips.
5262
5263 @end table
5264
5265 @node Signals
5266 @section Signals
5267 @cindex signals
5268
5269 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5270 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5271 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5272 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5273 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5274 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5275 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5276 requested an alarm).
5277
5278 @cindex fatal signals
5279 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5280 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5281 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5282 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5283 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5284 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5285
5286 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5287 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5288 signal.
5289
5290 @cindex handling signals
5291 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5292 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5293 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5294 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5295 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5296
5297 @table @code
5298 @kindex info signals
5299 @kindex info handle
5300 @item info signals
5301 @itemx info handle
5302 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5303 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5304 the defined types of signals.
5305
5306 @item info signals @var{sig}
5307 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5308
5309 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5310
5311 @kindex handle
5312 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5313 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5314 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5315 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5316 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5317 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5318 say what change to make.
5319 @end table
5320
5321 @c @group
5322 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5323 Their full names are:
5324
5325 @table @code
5326 @item nostop
5327 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5328 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5329
5330 @item stop
5331 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5332 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5333
5334 @item print
5335 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5336
5337 @item noprint
5338 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5339 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5340
5341 @item pass
5342 @itemx noignore
5343 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5344 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5345 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5346
5347 @item nopass
5348 @itemx ignore
5349 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5350 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5351 @end table
5352 @c @end group
5353
5354 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5355 program until you
5356 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5357 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5358 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5359 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5360 program sees that signal when you continue.
5361
5362 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5363 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5364 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5365 erroneous signals.
5366
5367 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5368 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5369 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5370 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5371 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5372 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5373 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5374 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5375 Program a Signal}.
5376
5377 @cindex extra signal information
5378 @anchor{extra signal information}
5379
5380 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5381 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5382 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5383 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5384 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5385 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5386 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5387 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5388 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5389 system header.
5390
5391 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5392 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5393
5394 @smallexample
5395 @group
5396 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5397 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5398 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5399 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5400 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5401 type = struct @{
5402 int si_signo;
5403 int si_errno;
5404 int si_code;
5405 union @{
5406 int _pad[28];
5407 struct @{...@} _kill;
5408 struct @{...@} _timer;
5409 struct @{...@} _rt;
5410 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5411 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5412 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5413 @} _sifields;
5414 @}
5415 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5416 type = struct @{
5417 void *si_addr;
5418 @}
5419 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5420 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5421 @end group
5422 @end smallexample
5423
5424 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5425
5426 @node Thread Stops
5427 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5428
5429 @cindex stopped threads
5430 @cindex threads, stopped
5431
5432 @cindex continuing threads
5433 @cindex threads, continuing
5434
5435 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5436 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5437 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5438 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5439 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5440 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5441 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5442 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5443 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5444
5445 @menu
5446 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5447 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5448 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5449 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5450 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5451 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5452 @end menu
5453
5454 @node All-Stop Mode
5455 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5456
5457 @cindex all-stop mode
5458
5459 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5460 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5461 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5462 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5463 underfoot.
5464
5465 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5466 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5467 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5468
5469 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5470 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5471 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5472 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5473 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5474 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5475 stops.
5476
5477 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5478 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5479 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5480 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5481
5482 @cindex automatic thread selection
5483 @cindex switching threads automatically
5484 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5485 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5486 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5487 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5488 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5489 thread.
5490
5491 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5492 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5493
5494 @table @code
5495 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5496 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5497 @cindex lock scheduler
5498 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5499 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5500 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5501 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5502 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5503 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5504 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5505 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5506 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5507 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5508 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5509 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5510
5511 @item show scheduler-locking
5512 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5513 @end table
5514
5515 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5516 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5517 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5518 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5519 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5520 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5521 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5522 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5523 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5524 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5525 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5526 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5527 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5528 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5529
5530 @table @code
5531 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5532 @item set schedule-multiple
5533 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5534 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5535 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5536 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5537 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5538 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5539
5540 @item show schedule-multiple
5541 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5542 multiple processes.
5543 @end table
5544
5545 @node Non-Stop Mode
5546 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5547
5548 @cindex non-stop mode
5549
5550 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5551 @c with more details.
5552
5553 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5554 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5555 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5556 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5557 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5558 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5559
5560 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5561 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5562 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5563 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5564 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5565 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5566 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5567 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5568 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5569 independently and simultaneously.
5570
5571 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5572 or attach to your program:
5573
5574 @smallexample
5575 # Enable the async interface.
5576 set target-async 1
5577
5578 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5579 set pagination off
5580
5581 # Finally, turn it on!
5582 set non-stop on
5583 @end smallexample
5584
5585 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5586
5587 @table @code
5588 @kindex set non-stop
5589 @item set non-stop on
5590 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5591 @item set non-stop off
5592 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5593 @kindex show non-stop
5594 @item show non-stop
5595 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5596 @end table
5597
5598 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5599 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5600 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5601 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5602 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5603 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5604 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5605 default.
5606
5607 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5608 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5609 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5610
5611 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5612 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5613 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5614 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5615 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5616
5617 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5618 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5619 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5620 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5621 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5622
5623 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5624
5625 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5626 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5627 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5628 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5629 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5630 previously current thread.
5631
5632 @node Background Execution
5633 @subsection Background Execution
5634
5635 @cindex foreground execution
5636 @cindex background execution
5637 @cindex asynchronous execution
5638 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5639
5640 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5641 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5642 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5643 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5644 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5645 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5646
5647 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5648 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5649 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5650
5651 @table @code
5652 @kindex set target-async
5653 @item set target-async on
5654 Enable asynchronous mode.
5655 @item set target-async off
5656 Disable asynchronous mode.
5657 @kindex show target-async
5658 @item show target-async
5659 Show the current target-async setting.
5660 @end table
5661
5662 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5663 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5664
5665 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5666 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5667 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5668 are:
5669
5670 @table @code
5671 @kindex run&
5672 @item run
5673 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5674
5675 @item attach
5676 @kindex attach&
5677 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5678
5679 @item step
5680 @kindex step&
5681 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5682
5683 @item stepi
5684 @kindex stepi&
5685 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5686
5687 @item next
5688 @kindex next&
5689 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5690
5691 @item nexti
5692 @kindex nexti&
5693 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5694
5695 @item continue
5696 @kindex continue&
5697 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5698
5699 @item finish
5700 @kindex finish&
5701 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5702
5703 @item until
5704 @kindex until&
5705 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5706
5707 @end table
5708
5709 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5710 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5711 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5712 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5713 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5714 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5715
5716 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5717 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5718
5719 @table @code
5720 @kindex interrupt
5721 @item interrupt
5722 @itemx interrupt -a
5723
5724 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5725 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5726 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5727 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5728 @end table
5729
5730 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5731 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5732
5733 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5734 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5735 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5736
5737 @table @code
5738 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5739 @cindex thread breakpoints
5740 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5741 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5742 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5743 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5744 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5745 specify some source line.
5746
5747 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5748 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5749 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5750 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5751 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5752
5753 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5754 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5755 program.
5756
5757 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5758 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5759 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5760
5761 @smallexample
5762 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5763 @end smallexample
5764
5765 @end table
5766
5767 @node Interrupted System Calls
5768 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5769
5770 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5771 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5772 @cindex premature return from system calls
5773 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5774 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5775 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5776 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5777 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5778 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5779 stop execution.
5780
5781 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5782 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5783 style anyways.
5784
5785 For example, do not write code like this:
5786
5787 @smallexample
5788 sleep (10);
5789 @end smallexample
5790
5791 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5792 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5793
5794 Instead, write this:
5795
5796 @smallexample
5797 int unslept = 10;
5798 while (unslept > 0)
5799 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5800 @end smallexample
5801
5802 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5803 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5804 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5805 @value{GDBN}.
5806
5807 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5808 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5809 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5810 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5811
5812 @node Observer Mode
5813 @subsection Observer Mode
5814
5815 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5816 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5817 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5818 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5819 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5820
5821 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5822 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5823 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5824 mode.
5825
5826 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5827 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5828 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5829 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5830 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5831
5832 @table @code
5833
5834 @kindex observer
5835 @item set observer on
5836 @itemx set observer off
5837 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5838 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5839 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5840 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5841
5842 @item show observer
5843 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5844
5845 @kindex may-write-registers
5846 @item set may-write-registers on
5847 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5848 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5849 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5850 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5851
5852 @item show may-write-registers
5853 Show the current permission to write registers.
5854
5855 @kindex may-write-memory
5856 @item set may-write-memory on
5857 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5858 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5859 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5860 defaults to @code{on}.
5861
5862 @item show may-write-memory
5863 Show the current permission to write memory.
5864
5865 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5866 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5867 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5868 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5869 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5870 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5871
5872 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5873 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5874
5875 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5876 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5877 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5878 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5879 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5880 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5881 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5882
5883 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5884 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5885
5886 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5887 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5888 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5889 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5890 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5891 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5892 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5893
5894 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5895 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5896
5897 @kindex may-interrupt
5898 @item set may-interrupt on
5899 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5900 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5901 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5902 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5903 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5904
5905 @item show may-interrupt
5906 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5907
5908 @end table
5909
5910 @node Reverse Execution
5911 @chapter Running programs backward
5912 @cindex reverse execution
5913 @cindex running programs backward
5914
5915 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5916 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5917 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5918 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5919
5920 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5921 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5922 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5923 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5924 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5925 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5926
5927 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5928 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5929 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5930 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5931 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5932 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5933 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5934 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5935 prior values@footnote{
5936 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5937 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5938 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5939
5940 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5941 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5942 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5943 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5944 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5945 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5946 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5947 }.
5948
5949 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5950 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5951
5952 @table @code
5953 @kindex reverse-continue
5954 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5955 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5956 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5957 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5958 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5959 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5960 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5961
5962 @kindex reverse-step
5963 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5964 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5965 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5966 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5967
5968 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5969 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5970 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5971 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5972 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5973 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5974
5975 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5976 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5977
5978 @kindex reverse-stepi
5979 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5980 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5981 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5982 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5983 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5984 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5985 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5986
5987 @kindex reverse-next
5988 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5989 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5990 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5991 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5992 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5993 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5994 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5995 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5996 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5997 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5998
5999 @kindex reverse-nexti
6000 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6001 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6002 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6003 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6004 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6005 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6006 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6007 frame) is reached.
6008
6009 @kindex reverse-finish
6010 @item reverse-finish
6011 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6012 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6013 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6014 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6015
6016 @kindex set exec-direction
6017 @item set exec-direction
6018 Set the direction of target execution.
6019 @item set exec-direction reverse
6020 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6021 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6022 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6023 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6024 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6025 @item set exec-direction forward
6026 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6027 This is the default.
6028 @end table
6029
6030
6031 @node Process Record and Replay
6032 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6033 @cindex process record and replay
6034 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6035
6036 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6037 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6038 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6039
6040 @cindex replay mode
6041 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6042 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6043 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6044 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6045 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6046 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6047 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6048 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6049 execution log.
6050
6051 @cindex record mode
6052 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6053 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6054 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6055 for future replay.
6056
6057 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6058 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6059 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6060 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6061 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6062 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6063
6064 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6065 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6066 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6067 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6068
6069 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6070 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6071
6072 @table @code
6073 @kindex target record
6074 @kindex record
6075 @kindex rec
6076 @item target record
6077 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
6078 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
6079 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
6080 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
6081 the @kbd{target record} command.
6082
6083 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
6084
6085 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6086 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6087 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6088 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6089 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6090
6091 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6092 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6093 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6094 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
6095 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
6096 support these two modes.
6097
6098 @kindex record stop
6099 @kindex rec s
6100 @item record stop
6101 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6102 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6103 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6104
6105 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6106 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6107 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6108 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6109 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6110
6111 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6112 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6113 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6114 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6115 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6116
6117 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6118 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6119
6120 @kindex record save
6121 @item record save @var{filename}
6122 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6123 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6124 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6125
6126 @kindex record restore
6127 @item record restore @var{filename}
6128 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6129 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6130
6131 @kindex set record insn-number-max
6132 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
6133 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
6134
6135 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6136 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6137 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6138 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6139 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6140 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6141 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6142 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6143
6144 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
6145 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
6146 instructions is unlimited in this case.
6147
6148 @kindex show record insn-number-max
6149 @item show record insn-number-max
6150 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
6151
6152 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
6153 @item set record stop-at-limit
6154 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
6155 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
6156 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
6157 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
6158 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
6159 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
6160
6161 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6162 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6163
6164 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
6165 @item show record stop-at-limit
6166 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6167
6168 @kindex set record memory-query
6169 @item set record memory-query
6170 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6171 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
6172 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
6173
6174 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6175 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6176 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6177 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6178 results.
6179
6180 @kindex show record memory-query
6181 @item show record memory-query
6182 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6183
6184 @kindex info record
6185 @item info record
6186 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6187 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6188
6189 @itemize @bullet
6190 @item
6191 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6192 @item
6193 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6194 @item
6195 Highest recorded instruction number.
6196 @item
6197 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6198 @item
6199 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6200 @item
6201 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6202 @end itemize
6203
6204 @kindex record delete
6205 @kindex rec del
6206 @item record delete
6207 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6208 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6209 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6210 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6211 @end table
6212
6213
6214 @node Stack
6215 @chapter Examining the Stack
6216
6217 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6218 stopped and how it got there.
6219
6220 @cindex call stack
6221 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6222 is generated.
6223 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6224 the arguments of the call,
6225 and the local variables of the function being called.
6226 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6227 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6228 stack}.
6229
6230 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6231 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6232
6233 @cindex selected frame
6234 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6235 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6236 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6237 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6238 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6239 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6240
6241 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6242 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6243 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6244
6245 @menu
6246 * Frames:: Stack frames
6247 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6248 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6249 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6250
6251 @end menu
6252
6253 @node Frames
6254 @section Stack Frames
6255
6256 @cindex frame, definition
6257 @cindex stack frame
6258 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6259 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6260 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6261 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6262 which the function is executing.
6263
6264 @cindex initial frame
6265 @cindex outermost frame
6266 @cindex innermost frame
6267 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6268 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6269 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6270 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6271 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6272 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6273 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6274 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6275
6276 @cindex frame pointer
6277 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6278 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6279 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6280 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6281 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6282 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6283
6284 @cindex frame number
6285 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6286 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6287 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6288 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6289 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6290
6291 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6292 @c underflow problems.
6293 @cindex frameless execution
6294 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6295 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6296 @smallexample
6297 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6298 @end smallexample
6299 generates functions without a frame.)
6300 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6301 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6302 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6303 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6304 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6305 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6306 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6307
6308 @table @code
6309 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6310 @cindex current stack frame
6311 @item frame @var{args}
6312 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6313 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6314 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6315 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6316
6317 @kindex select-frame
6318 @cindex selecting frame silently
6319 @item select-frame
6320 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6321 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6322 @code{frame}.
6323 @end table
6324
6325 @node Backtrace
6326 @section Backtraces
6327
6328 @cindex traceback
6329 @cindex call stack traces
6330 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6331 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6332 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6333 stack.
6334
6335 @table @code
6336 @kindex backtrace
6337 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6338 @item backtrace
6339 @itemx bt
6340 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6341 frames in the stack.
6342
6343 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6344 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6345
6346 @item backtrace @var{n}
6347 @itemx bt @var{n}
6348 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6349
6350 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6351 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6352 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6353
6354 @item backtrace full
6355 @itemx bt full
6356 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6357 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6358 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6359 number of frames to print, as described above.
6360 @end table
6361
6362 @kindex where
6363 @kindex info stack
6364 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6365 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6366
6367 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6368 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6369 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6370 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6371 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6372 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6373 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6374 multi-threaded program.
6375
6376 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6377 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6378 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6379 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6380 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6381 line number.
6382
6383 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6384 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6385
6386 @smallexample
6387 @group
6388 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6389 at builtin.c:993
6390 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6391 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6392 at macro.c:71
6393 (More stack frames follow...)
6394 @end group
6395 @end smallexample
6396
6397 @noindent
6398 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6399 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6400 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6401
6402 @noindent
6403 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6404 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6405 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6406 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6407 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6408
6409 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6410 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6411 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6412 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6413 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6414 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6415 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6416 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6417 such a backtrace might look like:
6418
6419 @smallexample
6420 @group
6421 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6422 at builtin.c:993
6423 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6424 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6425 at macro.c:71
6426 (More stack frames follow...)
6427 @end group
6428 @end smallexample
6429
6430 @noindent
6431 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6432 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6433
6434 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6435 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6436 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6437
6438 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6439 @cindex program entry point
6440 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6441 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6442 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6443 @code{main}@footnote{
6444 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6445 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6446 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6447 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6448 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6449 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6450
6451 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6452 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6453
6454 @table @code
6455 @item set backtrace past-main
6456 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6457 @kindex set backtrace
6458 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6459
6460 @item set backtrace past-main off
6461 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6462 default.
6463
6464 @item show backtrace past-main
6465 @kindex show backtrace
6466 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6467
6468 @item set backtrace past-entry
6469 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6470 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6471 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6472 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6473
6474 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6475 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6476 application. This is the default.
6477
6478 @item show backtrace past-entry
6479 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6480
6481 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6482 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6483 @cindex backtrace limit
6484 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6485 unlimited.
6486
6487 @item show backtrace limit
6488 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6489 @end table
6490
6491 @node Selection
6492 @section Selecting a Frame
6493
6494 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6495 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6496 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6497 of the stack frame just selected.
6498
6499 @table @code
6500 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6501 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6502 @item frame @var{n}
6503 @itemx f @var{n}
6504 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6505 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6506 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6507 @code{main}.
6508
6509 @item frame @var{addr}
6510 @itemx f @var{addr}
6511 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6512 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6513 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6514 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6515 switches between them.
6516
6517 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6518 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6519
6520 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6521 pointer and a program counter.
6522
6523 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6524 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6525
6526 @kindex up
6527 @item up @var{n}
6528 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6529 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6530 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6531
6532 @kindex down
6533 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6534 @item down @var{n}
6535 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6536 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6537 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6538 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6539 @end table
6540
6541 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6542 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6543 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6544 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6545
6546 @need 1000
6547 For example:
6548
6549 @smallexample
6550 @group
6551 (@value{GDBP}) up
6552 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6553 at env.c:10
6554 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6555 @end group
6556 @end smallexample
6557
6558 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6559 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6560 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6561 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6562 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6563 for details.
6564
6565 @table @code
6566 @kindex down-silently
6567 @kindex up-silently
6568 @item up-silently @var{n}
6569 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6570 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6571 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6572 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6573 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6574 distracting.
6575 @end table
6576
6577 @node Frame Info
6578 @section Information About a Frame
6579
6580 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6581 stack frame.
6582
6583 @table @code
6584 @item frame
6585 @itemx f
6586 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6587 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6588 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6589 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6590 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6591
6592 @kindex info frame
6593 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6594 @item info frame
6595 @itemx info f
6596 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6597 including:
6598
6599 @itemize @bullet
6600 @item
6601 the address of the frame
6602 @item
6603 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6604 @item
6605 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6606 @item
6607 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6608 @item
6609 the address of the frame's arguments
6610 @item
6611 the address of the frame's local variables
6612 @item
6613 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6614 @item
6615 which registers were saved in the frame
6616 @end itemize
6617
6618 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6619 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6620 the usual conventions.
6621
6622 @item info frame @var{addr}
6623 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6624 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6625 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6626 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6627 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6628 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6629
6630 @kindex info args
6631 @item info args
6632 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6633
6634 @item info locals
6635 @kindex info locals
6636 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6637 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6638 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6639
6640 @end table
6641
6642
6643 @node Source
6644 @chapter Examining Source Files
6645
6646 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6647 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6648 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6649 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6650 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6651 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6652 source files by explicit command.
6653
6654 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6655 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6656 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6657
6658 @menu
6659 * List:: Printing source lines
6660 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6661 * Edit:: Editing source files
6662 * Search:: Searching source files
6663 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6664 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6665 @end menu
6666
6667 @node List
6668 @section Printing Source Lines
6669
6670 @kindex list
6671 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6672 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6673 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6674 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6675 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6676
6677 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6678
6679 @table @code
6680 @item list @var{linenum}
6681 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6682 current source file.
6683
6684 @item list @var{function}
6685 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6686 @var{function}.
6687
6688 @item list
6689 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6690 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6691 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6692 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6693 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6694
6695 @item list -
6696 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6697 @end table
6698
6699 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6700 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6701 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6702
6703 @table @code
6704 @kindex set listsize
6705 @item set listsize @var{count}
6706 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6707 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6708
6709 @kindex show listsize
6710 @item show listsize
6711 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6712 @end table
6713
6714 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6715 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6716 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6717 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6718 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6719
6720 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6721 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6722 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6723 to specify some source line.
6724
6725 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6726
6727 @table @code
6728 @item list @var{linespec}
6729 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6730
6731 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6732 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6733 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6734 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6735 the same source file as the first linespec.
6736
6737 @item list ,@var{last}
6738 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6739
6740 @item list @var{first},
6741 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6742
6743 @item list +
6744 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6745
6746 @item list -
6747 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6748
6749 @item list
6750 As described in the preceding table.
6751 @end table
6752
6753 @node Specify Location
6754 @section Specifying a Location
6755 @cindex specifying location
6756 @cindex linespec
6757
6758 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6759 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6760 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6761 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6762
6763 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6764 @value{GDBN} understands:
6765
6766 @table @code
6767 @item @var{linenum}
6768 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6769
6770 @item -@var{offset}
6771 @itemx +@var{offset}
6772 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6773 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6774 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6775 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6776 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6777 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6778 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6779 linespec.
6780
6781 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6782 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6783 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6784 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6785 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6786 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6787 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6788
6789 @item @var{function}
6790 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6791 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6792
6793 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6794 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6795
6796 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6797 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6798 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6799 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6800 functions in different source files.
6801
6802 @item @var{label}
6803 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6804 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6805 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6806 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6807 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6808
6809 @item *@var{address}
6810 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6811 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6812 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6813 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6814 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6815 source files.
6816
6817 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6818 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6819 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6820 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6821 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6822 of @var{address}:
6823
6824 @table @code
6825 @item @var{expression}
6826 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6827
6828 @item @var{funcaddr}
6829 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6830 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6831 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6832 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6833 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6834 (although the Pascal form also works).
6835
6836 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6837 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6838
6839 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6840 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6841 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6842 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6843 functions with identical names in different source files.
6844 @end table
6845
6846 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
6847 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
6848 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
6849 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
6850 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
6851 specifies the location of such a static probe.
6852
6853 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
6854 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
6855 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
6856 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
6857 each one of those probes.
6858
6859 @end table
6860
6861
6862 @node Edit
6863 @section Editing Source Files
6864 @cindex editing source files
6865
6866 @kindex edit
6867 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6868 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6869 The editing program of your choice
6870 is invoked with the current line set to
6871 the active line in the program.
6872 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6873 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6874
6875 @table @code
6876 @item edit @var{location}
6877 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6878 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6879 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6880 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6881 command most commonly used:
6882
6883 @table @code
6884 @item edit @var{number}
6885 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6886
6887 @item edit @var{function}
6888 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6889 @end table
6890
6891 @end table
6892
6893 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6894 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6895 @footnote{
6896 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6897 following command-line syntax:
6898 @smallexample
6899 ex +@var{number} file
6900 @end smallexample
6901 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6902 the file where to start editing.}.
6903 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6904 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6905 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6906 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6907 @smallexample
6908 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6909 export EDITOR
6910 gdb @dots{}
6911 @end smallexample
6912 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6913 @smallexample
6914 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6915 gdb @dots{}
6916 @end smallexample
6917
6918 @node Search
6919 @section Searching Source Files
6920 @cindex searching source files
6921
6922 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6923 regular expression.
6924
6925 @table @code
6926 @kindex search
6927 @kindex forward-search
6928 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6929 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6930 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6931 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6932 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6933 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6934 @code{fo}.
6935
6936 @kindex reverse-search
6937 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6938 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6939 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6940 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6941 this command as @code{rev}.
6942 @end table
6943
6944 @node Source Path
6945 @section Specifying Source Directories
6946
6947 @cindex source path
6948 @cindex directories for source files
6949 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6950 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6951 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6952 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6953 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6954 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6955 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6956
6957 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6958 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6959 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6960 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6961 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6962 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6963 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6964 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6965 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6966 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6967 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6968
6969 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6970 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6971 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6972 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6973 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6974 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6975
6976 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6977 source files.
6978
6979 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6980 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6981 each line is in the file.
6982
6983 @kindex directory
6984 @kindex dir
6985 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6986 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6987 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6988
6989 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6990 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6991
6992 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6993 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6994 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6995 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6996 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6997 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6998 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6999 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7000 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7001 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7002 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7003 name to look up the sources.
7004
7005 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7006 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7007 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7008 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7009 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7010 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7011 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7012 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7013
7014 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7015 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7016 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7017 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7018 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7019 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7020 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7021
7022 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7023 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7024 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7025 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7026 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7027 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7028 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7029 command.
7030
7031 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7032 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7033 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7034 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7035 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7036 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7037 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7038
7039 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7040 @cindex default source path substitution
7041 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7042 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7043 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7044 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7045 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7046 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7047 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7048 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7049 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7050 together.
7051
7052 @table @code
7053 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7054 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7055 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7056 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7057 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7058 part of absolute file names) or
7059 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7060 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7061
7062 @kindex cdir
7063 @kindex cwd
7064 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7065 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7066 @cindex compilation directory
7067 @cindex current directory
7068 @cindex working directory
7069 @cindex directory, current
7070 @cindex directory, compilation
7071 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7072 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7073 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7074 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7075 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7076 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7077
7078 @item directory
7079 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7080
7081 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7082 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7083
7084 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7085 @kindex set directories
7086 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7087 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7088
7089 @item show directories
7090 @kindex show directories
7091 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7092
7093 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7094 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7095 @kindex set substitute-path
7096 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7097 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7098 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7099
7100 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7101 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7102
7103 @smallexample
7104 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7105 @end smallexample
7106
7107 @noindent
7108 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7109 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7110 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7111
7112 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7113 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7114 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7115 the substitution.
7116
7117 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7118
7119 @smallexample
7120 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7121 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7122 @end smallexample
7123
7124 @noindent
7125 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7126 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7127 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7128 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7129
7130
7131 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7132 @kindex unset substitute-path
7133 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7134 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7135 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7136
7137 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7138
7139 @item show substitute-path [path]
7140 @kindex show substitute-path
7141 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7142 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7143
7144 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7145 rules.
7146
7147 @end table
7148
7149 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7150 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7151 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7152
7153 @enumerate
7154 @item
7155 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7156
7157 @item
7158 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7159 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7160 directories in one command.
7161 @end enumerate
7162
7163 @node Machine Code
7164 @section Source and Machine Code
7165 @cindex source line and its code address
7166
7167 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7168 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7169 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7170 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7171 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7172 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7173 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7174 well as hex.
7175
7176 @table @code
7177 @kindex info line
7178 @item info line @var{linespec}
7179 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7180 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7181 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7182 @end table
7183
7184 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7185 the object code for the first line of function
7186 @code{m4_changequote}:
7187
7188 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7189 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7190 @smallexample
7191 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7192 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7193 @end smallexample
7194
7195 @noindent
7196 @cindex code address and its source line
7197 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7198 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7199 @smallexample
7200 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7201 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7202 @end smallexample
7203
7204 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7205 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7206 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7207 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7208 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7209 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7210 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7211 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7212 Variables}).
7213
7214 @table @code
7215 @kindex disassemble
7216 @cindex assembly instructions
7217 @cindex instructions, assembly
7218 @cindex machine instructions
7219 @cindex listing machine instructions
7220 @item disassemble
7221 @itemx disassemble /m
7222 @itemx disassemble /r
7223 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7224 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7225 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7226 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7227 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7228 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7229 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7230 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7231 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7232 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7233
7234 @table @code
7235 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7236 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7237 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7238 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7239 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7240 @end table
7241
7242 @noindent
7243 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7244 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7245
7246 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7247 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7248
7249 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7250 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7251 @end table
7252
7253 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7254 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7255
7256 @smallexample
7257 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7258 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7259 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7260 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7261 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7262 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7263 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7264 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7265 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7266 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7267 End of assembler dump.
7268 @end smallexample
7269
7270 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7271 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7272
7273 @smallexample
7274 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7275 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7276 5 @{
7277 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7278 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7279 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7280 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7281 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7282
7283 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7284 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7285 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7286
7287 7 return 0;
7288 8 @}
7289 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7290 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7291 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7292
7293 End of assembler dump.
7294 @end smallexample
7295
7296 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7297
7298 @smallexample
7299 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7300 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7301 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7302 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7303 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7304 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7305 End of assembler dump.
7306 @end smallexample
7307
7308 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7309 mnemonics or other syntax.
7310
7311 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7312 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7313 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7314 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7315 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7316
7317 @table @code
7318 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7319 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7320 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7321 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7322 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7323 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7324
7325 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7326 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7327 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7328 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7329
7330 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7331 @item show disassembly-flavor
7332 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7333 @end table
7334
7335 @table @code
7336 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7337 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7338 @item set disassemble-next-line
7339 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7340 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7341 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7342 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7343 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7344 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7345 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7346 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7347 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7348 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7349 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7350 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7351 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7352 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7353 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7354 instruction.
7355 @end table
7356
7357
7358 @node Data
7359 @chapter Examining Data
7360
7361 @cindex printing data
7362 @cindex examining data
7363 @kindex print
7364 @kindex inspect
7365 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
7366 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
7367 @c different window or something like that.
7368 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7369 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7370 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7371 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7372 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7373 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7374
7375 @table @code
7376 @item print @var{expr}
7377 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7378 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7379 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7380 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7381 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7382 Formats}.
7383
7384 @item print
7385 @itemx print /@var{f}
7386 @cindex reprint the last value
7387 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7388 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7389 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7390 @end table
7391
7392 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7393 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7394 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7395
7396 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7397 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7398 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7399 Table}.
7400
7401 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7402 @kindex explore
7403 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7404 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7405 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7406 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7407 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7408 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7409 embedded in the higher level data types.
7410
7411 @table @code
7412 @item explore @var{arg}
7413 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7414 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7415 @end table
7416
7417 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7418 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7419 C program as
7420
7421 @smallexample
7422 struct SimpleStruct
7423 @{
7424 int i;
7425 double d;
7426 @};
7427
7428 struct ComplexStruct
7429 @{
7430 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7431 int arr[10];
7432 @};
7433 @end smallexample
7434
7435 @noindent
7436 followed by variable declarations as
7437
7438 @smallexample
7439 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7440 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7441 @end smallexample
7442
7443 @noindent
7444 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7445 @code{explore} command as follows.
7446
7447 @smallexample
7448 (gdb) explore cs
7449 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7450 the following fields:
7451
7452 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7453 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7454
7455 Enter the field number of choice:
7456 @end smallexample
7457
7458 @noindent
7459 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7460 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7461 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7462 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7463 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7464 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7465 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7466 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7467
7468 @smallexample
7469 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7470 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7471 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7472 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7473
7474 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7475 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7476
7477 Press enter to return to parent value:
7478 @end smallexample
7479
7480 @noindent
7481 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7482 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7483 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7484 to explore.
7485
7486 @smallexample
7487 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7488 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7489
7490 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7491
7492 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7493
7494 Press enter to return to parent value:
7495 @end smallexample
7496
7497 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7498 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7499 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7500 level data structure).
7501
7502 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7503 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7504 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7505 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7506 same example as above, your can explore the type
7507 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7508 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7509
7510 @smallexample
7511 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7512 @end smallexample
7513
7514 @noindent
7515 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7516 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7517 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7518 example.
7519
7520 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7521 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7522 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7523 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7524 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7525
7526 @table @code
7527 @item explore value @var{expr}
7528 @cindex explore value
7529 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7530 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7531 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7532 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7533 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7534
7535 @item explore type @var{arg}
7536 @cindex explore type
7537 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7538 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7539 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7540 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7541 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7542 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7543 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7544 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7545 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7546 @end table
7547
7548 @menu
7549 * Expressions:: Expressions
7550 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7551 * Variables:: Program variables
7552 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7553 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7554 * Memory:: Examining memory
7555 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7556 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7557 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7558 * Value History:: Value history
7559 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7560 * Registers:: Registers
7561 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7562 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7563 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7564 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7565 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7566 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7567 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7568 character set than GDB does
7569 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7570 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7571 @end menu
7572
7573 @node Expressions
7574 @section Expressions
7575
7576 @cindex expressions
7577 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7578 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7579 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7580 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7581 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7582 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7583 @ref{Compilation}.
7584
7585 @cindex arrays in expressions
7586 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7587 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7588 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7589 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7590 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7591 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7592
7593 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7594 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7595 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7596 languages.
7597
7598 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7599 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7600
7601 @cindex casts, in expressions
7602 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7603 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7604 at that address in memory.
7605 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7606
7607 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7608 to programming languages:
7609
7610 @table @code
7611 @item @@
7612 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7613 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7614
7615 @item ::
7616 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7617 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7618
7619 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7620 @cindex type casting memory
7621 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7622 @cindex casts, to view memory
7623 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7624 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7625 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7626 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7627 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7628 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7629 @end table
7630
7631 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7632 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7633 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7634
7635 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7636 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7637 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7638 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7639 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7640 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7641 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7642
7643 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7644 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7645 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7646 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7647 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7648 as well.
7649
7650 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7651 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7652 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7653 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7654 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7655 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7656 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7657 choices.
7658
7659 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7660 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7661 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7662
7663 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7664 @smallexample
7665 @group
7666 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7667 [0] cancel
7668 [1] all
7669 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7670 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7671 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7672 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7673 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7674 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7675 > 2 4 6
7676 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7677 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7678 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7679 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7680 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7681 breakpoints.
7682 (@value{GDBP})
7683 @end group
7684 @end smallexample
7685
7686 @table @code
7687 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7688 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7689 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7690
7691 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7692 is ambiguous.
7693
7694 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7695 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7696 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7697 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7698 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7699 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7700 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7701 in the use of the menu.
7702
7703 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7704 when an ambiguity is detected.
7705
7706 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7707 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7708
7709 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7710 @item show multiple-symbols
7711 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7712 @end table
7713
7714 @node Variables
7715 @section Program Variables
7716
7717 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7718 in your program.
7719
7720 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7721 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7722
7723 @itemize @bullet
7724 @item
7725 global (or file-static)
7726 @end itemize
7727
7728 @noindent or
7729
7730 @itemize @bullet
7731 @item
7732 visible according to the scope rules of the
7733 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7734 @end itemize
7735
7736 @noindent This means that in the function
7737
7738 @smallexample
7739 foo (a)
7740 int a;
7741 @{
7742 bar (a);
7743 @{
7744 int b = test ();
7745 bar (b);
7746 @}
7747 @}
7748 @end smallexample
7749
7750 @noindent
7751 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7752 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7753 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7754 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7755
7756 @cindex variable name conflict
7757 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7758 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7759 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7760 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7761 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7762 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7763 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7764
7765 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7766 @ifnotinfo
7767 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7768 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7769 @end ifnotinfo
7770 @smallexample
7771 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7772 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7773 @end smallexample
7774
7775 @noindent
7776 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7777 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7778 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7779 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7780
7781 @smallexample
7782 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7783 @end smallexample
7784
7785 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7786 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7787 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7788 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7789 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7790
7791 @smallexample
7792 void
7793 foo (int a)
7794 @{
7795 if (a < 10)
7796 bar (a);
7797 else
7798 process (a); /* Stop here */
7799 @}
7800
7801 int
7802 bar (int a)
7803 @{
7804 foo (a + 5);
7805 @}
7806 @end smallexample
7807
7808 @noindent
7809 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7810 here is what you might see
7811 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7812
7813 @smallexample
7814 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7815 $1 = 10
7816 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7817 $2 = 5
7818 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
7819 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7820 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7821 $3 = 5
7822 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7823 $4 = 0
7824 @end smallexample
7825
7826 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7827 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7828 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7829 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7830 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7831 @c conflict?? --mew
7832
7833 @cindex wrong values
7834 @cindex variable values, wrong
7835 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7836 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7837 @quotation
7838 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7839 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7840 scope, and just before exit.
7841 @end quotation
7842 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7843 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7844 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7845 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7846 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7847 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7848 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7849 variable definitions may be gone.
7850
7851 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7852 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7853 when compiling.
7854
7855 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7856 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7857 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7858 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7859 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7860 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7861 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7862
7863 @smallexample
7864 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7865 @end smallexample
7866
7867 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7868 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7869 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7870 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7871 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7872
7873 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7874 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7875 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7876 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7877
7878 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7879 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7880 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7881 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7882 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7883
7884 @smallexample
7885 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7886 29 i++;
7887 (gdb) next
7888 30 e (i);
7889 (gdb) print i
7890 $1 = 31
7891 (gdb) print i@@entry
7892 $2 = 30
7893 @end smallexample
7894
7895 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7896 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7897 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7898 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7899 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7900 For program code
7901
7902 @smallexample
7903 char var0[] = "A";
7904 signed char var1[] = "A";
7905 @end smallexample
7906
7907 You get during debugging
7908 @smallexample
7909 (gdb) print var0
7910 $1 = "A"
7911 (gdb) print var1
7912 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7913 @end smallexample
7914
7915 @node Arrays
7916 @section Artificial Arrays
7917
7918 @cindex artificial array
7919 @cindex arrays
7920 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7921 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7922 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7923 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7924 program.
7925
7926 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7927 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7928 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7929 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7930 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7931 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7932 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7933 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7934 example. If a program says
7935
7936 @smallexample
7937 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7938 @end smallexample
7939
7940 @noindent
7941 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7942
7943 @smallexample
7944 p *array@@len
7945 @end smallexample
7946
7947 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7948 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7949 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7950 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7951 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7952
7953 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7954 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7955 The value need not be in memory:
7956 @smallexample
7957 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7958 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7959 @end smallexample
7960
7961 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7962 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7963 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7964 @smallexample
7965 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7966 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7967 @end smallexample
7968
7969 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7970 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7971 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7972 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7973 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7974 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7975 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7976 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7977 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7978 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7979
7980 @smallexample
7981 set $i = 0
7982 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7983 @key{RET}
7984 @key{RET}
7985 @dots{}
7986 @end smallexample
7987
7988 @node Output Formats
7989 @section Output Formats
7990
7991 @cindex formatted output
7992 @cindex output formats
7993 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7994 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7995 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7996 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7997 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7998
7999 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8000 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8001 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8002 letters supported are:
8003
8004 @table @code
8005 @item x
8006 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8007 hexadecimal.
8008
8009 @item d
8010 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8011
8012 @item u
8013 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8014
8015 @item o
8016 Print as integer in octal.
8017
8018 @item t
8019 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8020 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8021 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8022 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8023
8024 @item a
8025 @cindex unknown address, locating
8026 @cindex locate address
8027 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8028 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8029 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8030
8031 @smallexample
8032 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8033 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8034 @end smallexample
8035
8036 @noindent
8037 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8038 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8039
8040 @item c
8041 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8042 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8043 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8044 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8045
8046 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8047 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8048 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8049 data.
8050
8051 @item f
8052 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8053 using typical floating point syntax.
8054
8055 @item s
8056 @cindex printing strings
8057 @cindex printing byte arrays
8058 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8059 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8060 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8061 natural types.
8062
8063 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8064 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8065 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8066 array.
8067
8068 @item r
8069 @cindex raw printing
8070 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8071 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8072 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8073 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8074 pretty-printer which might exist.
8075 @end table
8076
8077 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8078
8079 @smallexample
8080 p/x $pc
8081 @end smallexample
8082
8083 @noindent
8084 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8085 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8086
8087 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8088 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8089 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8090
8091 @node Memory
8092 @section Examining Memory
8093
8094 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8095 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8096
8097 @cindex examining memory
8098 @table @code
8099 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8100 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8101 @itemx x @var{addr}
8102 @itemx x
8103 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8104 @end table
8105
8106 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8107 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8108 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8109 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8110 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8111
8112 @table @r
8113 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8114 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8115 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8116 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8117 @c 4.1.2.
8118
8119 @item @var{f}, the display format
8120 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8121 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8122 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8123 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8124 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8125
8126 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8127 The unit size is any of
8128
8129 @table @code
8130 @item b
8131 Bytes.
8132 @item h
8133 Halfwords (two bytes).
8134 @item w
8135 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8136 @item g
8137 Giant words (eight bytes).
8138 @end table
8139
8140 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8141 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8142 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8143 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8144 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8145 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8146 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8147 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8148 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8149 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8150 be altered.
8151
8152 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8153 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8154 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8155 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8156 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8157 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8158 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8159 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8160 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8161 a value from memory).
8162 @end table
8163
8164 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8165 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8166 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8167 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8168 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8169
8170 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8171 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8172 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8173 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8174 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8175
8176 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8177 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8178 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8179 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8180 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8181 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8182 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8183 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8184 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8185
8186 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8187 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8188 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8189 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8190 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8191 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8192 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8193
8194 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8195 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8196
8197 @smallexample
8198 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8199 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8200 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8201 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8202 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8203 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8204 @end smallexample
8205
8206 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8207 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8208 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8209 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8210 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8211 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8212 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8213 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8214 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8215
8216 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8217 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8218 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8219
8220 @cindex remote memory comparison
8221 @cindex verify remote memory image
8222 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8223 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8224 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8225 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8226 situations.
8227
8228 @table @code
8229 @kindex compare-sections
8230 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8231 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8232 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8233 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8234 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8235 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8236 remote request.
8237 @end table
8238
8239 @node Auto Display
8240 @section Automatic Display
8241 @cindex automatic display
8242 @cindex display of expressions
8243
8244 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8245 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8246 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8247 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8248 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8249 The automatic display looks like this:
8250
8251 @smallexample
8252 2: foo = 38
8253 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8254 @end smallexample
8255
8256 @noindent
8257 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8258 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8259 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8260 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8261 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8262 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8263
8264 @table @code
8265 @kindex display
8266 @item display @var{expr}
8267 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8268 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8269
8270 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8271
8272 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8273 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8274 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8275 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8276 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8277
8278 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8279 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8280 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8281 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8282 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8283 @end table
8284
8285 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8286 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8287 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8288
8289 @table @code
8290 @kindex delete display
8291 @kindex undisplay
8292 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8293 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8294 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8295 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8296 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8297 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8298 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8299
8300 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8301 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8302
8303 @kindex disable display
8304 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8305 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8306 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8307 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8308 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8309 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8310 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8311 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8312
8313 @kindex enable display
8314 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8315 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8316 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8317 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8318 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8319 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8320 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8321
8322 @item display
8323 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8324 done when your program stops.
8325
8326 @kindex info display
8327 @item info display
8328 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8329 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8330 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8331 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8332 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8333 @end table
8334
8335 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8336 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8337 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8338 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8339 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8340 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8341 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8342 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8343 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8344 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8345 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8346
8347 @node Print Settings
8348 @section Print Settings
8349
8350 @cindex format options
8351 @cindex print settings
8352 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8353 and symbols are printed.
8354
8355 @noindent
8356 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8357
8358 @table @code
8359 @kindex set print
8360 @item set print address
8361 @itemx set print address on
8362 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8363 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8364 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8365 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8366 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8367 @code{set print address on}:
8368
8369 @smallexample
8370 @group
8371 (@value{GDBP}) f
8372 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8373 at input.c:530
8374 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8375 @end group
8376 @end smallexample
8377
8378 @item set print address off
8379 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8380 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8381
8382 @smallexample
8383 @group
8384 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8385 (@value{GDBP}) f
8386 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8387 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8388 @end group
8389 @end smallexample
8390
8391 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8392 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8393 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8394 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8395
8396 @kindex show print
8397 @item show print address
8398 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8399 @end table
8400
8401 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8402 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8403 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8404 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8405 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8406 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8407 it prints a symbolic address:
8408
8409 @table @code
8410 @item set print symbol-filename on
8411 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8412 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8413 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8414 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8415
8416 @item set print symbol-filename off
8417 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8418 default.
8419
8420 @item show print symbol-filename
8421 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8422 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8423 @end table
8424
8425 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8426 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8427 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8428
8429 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8430 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8431
8432 @table @code
8433 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8434 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8435 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8436 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8437 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8438 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8439
8440 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8441 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8442 symbolic address.
8443 @end table
8444
8445 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8446 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8447 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8448 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8449 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8450 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8451 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8452 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8453
8454 @smallexample
8455 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8456 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8457 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8458 @end smallexample
8459
8460 @quotation
8461 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8462 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8463 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8464 @end quotation
8465
8466 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8467 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8468
8469 @table @code
8470 @item set print symbol on
8471 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8472 one exists.
8473
8474 @item set print symbol off
8475 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8476 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8477 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8478
8479 @item show print symbol
8480 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8481 address.
8482 @end table
8483
8484 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8485
8486 @table @code
8487 @item set print array
8488 @itemx set print array on
8489 @cindex pretty print arrays
8490 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8491 but uses more space. The default is off.
8492
8493 @item set print array off
8494 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8495
8496 @item show print array
8497 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8498 arrays.
8499
8500 @cindex print array indexes
8501 @item set print array-indexes
8502 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8503 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8504 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8505 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8506
8507 @item set print array-indexes off
8508 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8509
8510 @item show print array-indexes
8511 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8512 arrays.
8513
8514 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8515 @cindex number of array elements to print
8516 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8517 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8518 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8519 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8520 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8521 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8522 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8523
8524 @item show print elements
8525 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8526 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8527
8528 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8529 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8530 @cindex printing frame argument values
8531 @cindex print all frame argument values
8532 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8533 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8534 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8535 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8536 values are:
8537
8538 @table @code
8539 @item all
8540 The values of all arguments are printed.
8541
8542 @item scalars
8543 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8544 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8545 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8546 only scalar arguments are shown:
8547
8548 @smallexample
8549 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8550 at frame-args.c:23
8551 @end smallexample
8552
8553 @item none
8554 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8555 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8556
8557 @smallexample
8558 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8559 at frame-args.c:23
8560 @end smallexample
8561 @end table
8562
8563 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8564 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8565 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8566 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8567 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8568 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8569 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8570 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8571 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8572 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8573
8574 @item show print frame-arguments
8575 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8576
8577 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8578 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8579 @kindex set print entry-values
8580 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8581 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8582 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8583 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8584 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8585
8586 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8587 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8588 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8589 @code{no} setting.
8590
8591 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8592 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8593 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8594 this information.
8595
8596 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8597
8598 @table @code
8599 @item no
8600 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8601 point.
8602 @smallexample
8603 #0 equal (val=5)
8604 #0 different (val=6)
8605 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8606 #0 born (val=10)
8607 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8608 @end smallexample
8609
8610 @item only
8611 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8612 values are never printed.
8613 @smallexample
8614 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8615 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8616 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8617 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8618 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8619 @end smallexample
8620
8621 @item preferred
8622 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8623 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8624 value for such parameter.
8625 @smallexample
8626 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8627 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8628 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8629 #0 born (val=10)
8630 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8631 @end smallexample
8632
8633 @item if-needed
8634 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8635 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8636 parameter.
8637 @smallexample
8638 #0 equal (val=5)
8639 #0 different (val=6)
8640 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8641 #0 born (val=10)
8642 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8643 @end smallexample
8644
8645 @item both
8646 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8647 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8648 optimizations.
8649 @smallexample
8650 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8651 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8652 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8653 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8654 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8655 @end smallexample
8656
8657 @item compact
8658 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8659 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8660 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8661 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8662 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8663 @smallexample
8664 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8665 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8666 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8667 #0 born (val=10)
8668 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8669 @end smallexample
8670
8671 @item default
8672 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8673 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8674 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8675 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8676 @smallexample
8677 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8678 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8679 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8680 #0 born (val=10)
8681 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8682 @end smallexample
8683 @end table
8684
8685 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8686 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8687
8688 @item show print entry-values
8689 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8690 entry.
8691
8692 @item set print repeats
8693 @cindex repeated array elements
8694 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8695 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8696 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8697 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8698 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8699 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8700 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8701
8702 @item show print repeats
8703 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8704 elements.
8705
8706 @item set print null-stop
8707 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8708 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8709 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8710 contain only short strings.
8711 The default is off.
8712
8713 @item show print null-stop
8714 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8715 @sc{null} character.
8716
8717 @item set print pretty on
8718 @cindex print structures in indented form
8719 @cindex indentation in structure display
8720 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8721 per line, like this:
8722
8723 @smallexample
8724 @group
8725 $1 = @{
8726 next = 0x0,
8727 flags = @{
8728 sweet = 1,
8729 sour = 1
8730 @},
8731 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8732 @}
8733 @end group
8734 @end smallexample
8735
8736 @item set print pretty off
8737 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8738
8739 @smallexample
8740 @group
8741 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8742 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8743 @end group
8744 @end smallexample
8745
8746 @noindent
8747 This is the default format.
8748
8749 @item show print pretty
8750 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8751
8752 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8753 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8754 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8755 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8756 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8757 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8758 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8759 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8760
8761 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8762 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8763 international character sets, and is the default.
8764
8765 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8766 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8767
8768 @item set print union on
8769 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8770 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8771 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8772
8773 @item set print union off
8774 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8775 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8776 instead.
8777
8778 @item show print union
8779 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8780 structures and other unions.
8781
8782 For example, given the declarations
8783
8784 @smallexample
8785 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8786 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8787 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8788 Bug_forms;
8789
8790 struct thing @{
8791 Species it;
8792 union @{
8793 Tree_forms tree;
8794 Bug_forms bug;
8795 @} form;
8796 @};
8797
8798 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8799 @end smallexample
8800
8801 @noindent
8802 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8803
8804 @smallexample
8805 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8806 @end smallexample
8807
8808 @noindent
8809 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8810
8811 @smallexample
8812 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8813 @end smallexample
8814
8815 @noindent
8816 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8817 and in Pascal.
8818 @end table
8819
8820 @need 1000
8821 @noindent
8822 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8823
8824 @table @code
8825 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8826 @item set print demangle
8827 @itemx set print demangle on
8828 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8829 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8830 linkage. The default is on.
8831
8832 @item show print demangle
8833 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8834
8835 @item set print asm-demangle
8836 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8837 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8838 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8839 The default is off.
8840
8841 @item show print asm-demangle
8842 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8843 or demangled form.
8844
8845 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8846 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8847 @kindex set demangle-style
8848 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8849 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8850 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8851
8852 @table @code
8853 @item auto
8854 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8855
8856 @item gnu
8857 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8858 This is the default.
8859
8860 @item hp
8861 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8862
8863 @item lucid
8864 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8865
8866 @item arm
8867 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8868 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8869 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8870 require further enhancement to permit that.
8871
8872 @end table
8873 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8874
8875 @item show demangle-style
8876 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8877
8878 @item set print object
8879 @itemx set print object on
8880 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8881 @cindex display derived types
8882 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8883 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8884 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8885 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8886 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8887 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
8888 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
8889
8890 @item set print object off
8891 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8892 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8893
8894 @item show print object
8895 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8896
8897 @item set print static-members
8898 @itemx set print static-members on
8899 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8900 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8901
8902 @item set print static-members off
8903 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8904
8905 @item show print static-members
8906 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8907
8908 @item set print pascal_static-members
8909 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8910 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8911 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8912 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8913
8914 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8915 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8916
8917 @item show print pascal_static-members
8918 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8919
8920 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8921 @item set print vtbl
8922 @itemx set print vtbl on
8923 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8924 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8925 @cindex VTBL display
8926 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8927 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8928 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8929
8930 @item set print vtbl off
8931 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8932
8933 @item show print vtbl
8934 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8935 @end table
8936
8937 @node Pretty Printing
8938 @section Pretty Printing
8939
8940 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8941 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8942 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8943
8944 @menu
8945 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8946 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8947 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8948 @end menu
8949
8950 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8951 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8952
8953 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8954 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8955 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8956
8957 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8958 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8959 pretty-printers with their names.
8960 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8961 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8962 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8963 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8964
8965 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8966 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8967 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8968 do anything special.
8969
8970 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8971
8972 @itemize @bullet
8973 @item
8974 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8975 all inferiors.
8976
8977 @item
8978 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8979 when debugging that program.
8980 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8981
8982 @item
8983 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8984 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8985 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8986 @end itemize
8987
8988 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8989 pretty-printers are selected,
8990
8991 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8992 for new types.
8993
8994 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8995 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8996
8997 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8998
8999 @smallexample
9000 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9001 $1 = @{
9002 static npos = 4294967295,
9003 _M_dataplus = @{
9004 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9005 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9006 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9007 @},
9008 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9009 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9010 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9011 @}
9012 @}
9013 @end smallexample
9014
9015 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9016
9017 @smallexample
9018 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9019 $2 = "abcd"
9020 @end smallexample
9021
9022 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9023 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9024 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9025
9026 @table @code
9027 @kindex info pretty-printer
9028 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9029 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9030 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9031
9032 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9033 whose pretty-printers to list.
9034 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9035 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9036 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9037 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9038 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9039
9040 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9041 to list.
9042
9043 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9044 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9045 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9046 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9047
9048 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9049 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9050 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9051 @end table
9052
9053 Example:
9054
9055 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9056 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9057 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9058 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9059
9060 @smallexample
9061 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9062 library1.so:
9063 foo
9064 library2.so:
9065 bar
9066 bar1
9067 bar2
9068 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9069 library2.so:
9070 bar
9071 bar1
9072 bar2
9073 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9074 1 printer disabled
9075 2 of 3 printers enabled
9076 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9077 library1.so:
9078 foo [disabled]
9079 library2.so:
9080 bar
9081 bar1
9082 bar2
9083 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9084 1 printer disabled
9085 1 of 3 printers enabled
9086 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9087 library1.so:
9088 foo [disabled]
9089 library2.so:
9090 bar
9091 bar1 [disabled]
9092 bar2
9093 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9094 1 printer disabled
9095 0 of 3 printers enabled
9096 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9097 library1.so:
9098 foo [disabled]
9099 library2.so:
9100 bar [disabled]
9101 bar1 [disabled]
9102 bar2
9103 @end smallexample
9104
9105 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9106 as can each individual subprinter.
9107
9108 @node Value History
9109 @section Value History
9110
9111 @cindex value history
9112 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9113 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9114 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9115 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9116 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9117 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9118 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9119 symbol table.
9120
9121 @cindex @code{$}
9122 @cindex @code{$$}
9123 @cindex history number
9124 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9125 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9126 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9127 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9128 history number.
9129
9130 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9131 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9132 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9133 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9134 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9135 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9136 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9137
9138 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9139 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9140
9141 @smallexample
9142 p *$
9143 @end smallexample
9144
9145 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9146 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9147
9148 @smallexample
9149 p *$.next
9150 @end smallexample
9151
9152 @noindent
9153 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9154 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9155
9156 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9157 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9158
9159 @smallexample
9160 print x
9161 set x=5
9162 @end smallexample
9163
9164 @noindent
9165 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9166 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9167
9168 @table @code
9169 @kindex show values
9170 @item show values
9171 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9172 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9173 values} does not change the history.
9174
9175 @item show values @var{n}
9176 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9177
9178 @item show values +
9179 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9180 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9181 @end table
9182
9183 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9184 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9185
9186 @node Convenience Vars
9187 @section Convenience Variables
9188
9189 @cindex convenience variables
9190 @cindex user-defined variables
9191 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9192 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9193 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9194 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9195 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9196
9197 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9198 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9199 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9200 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9201 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9202
9203 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9204 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9205 For example:
9206
9207 @smallexample
9208 set $foo = *object_ptr
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 @noindent
9212 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9213 @code{object_ptr}.
9214
9215 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9216 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9217 value with another assignment at any time.
9218
9219 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9220 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9221 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9222 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9223
9224 @table @code
9225 @kindex show convenience
9226 @cindex show all user variables
9227 @item show convenience
9228 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
9229 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9230
9231 @kindex init-if-undefined
9232 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9233 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9234 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9235 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9236 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9237 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9238 override default values used in a command script.
9239
9240 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9241 any side-effects do not occur.
9242 @end table
9243
9244 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9245 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9246 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9247
9248 @smallexample
9249 set $i = 0
9250 print bar[$i++]->contents
9251 @end smallexample
9252
9253 @noindent
9254 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9255
9256 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9257 values likely to be useful.
9258
9259 @table @code
9260 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9261 @item $_
9262 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9263 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9264 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9265 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9266 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9267 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9268 to the type of @code{$__}.
9269
9270 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9271 @item $__
9272 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9273 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9274 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9275
9276 @item $_exitcode
9277 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9278 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9279 the program being debugged terminates.
9280
9281 @item $_probe_argc
9282 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9283 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9284
9285 @item $_sdata
9286 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9287 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9288 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9289 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9290 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9291
9292 @item $_siginfo
9293 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9294 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9295 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9296 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9297 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9298
9299 @item $_tlb
9300 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9301 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9302 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9303 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9304 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9305 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9306
9307 @end table
9308
9309 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9310 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9311 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9312
9313 @cindex convenience functions
9314 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9315 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9316 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9317 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9318 @value{GDBN}.
9319
9320 @table @code
9321 @item help function
9322 @kindex help function
9323 @cindex show all convenience functions
9324 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9325 @end table
9326
9327 @node Registers
9328 @section Registers
9329
9330 @cindex registers
9331 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9332 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9333 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9334 your machine.
9335
9336 @table @code
9337 @kindex info registers
9338 @item info registers
9339 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9340 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9341
9342 @kindex info all-registers
9343 @cindex floating point registers
9344 @item info all-registers
9345 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9346 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9347
9348 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9349 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9350 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9351 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9352 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9353 @end table
9354
9355 @cindex stack pointer register
9356 @cindex program counter register
9357 @cindex process status register
9358 @cindex frame pointer register
9359 @cindex standard registers
9360 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9361 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9362 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9363 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9364 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9365 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9366 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9367 you could print the program counter in hex with
9368
9369 @smallexample
9370 p/x $pc
9371 @end smallexample
9372
9373 @noindent
9374 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9375
9376 @smallexample
9377 x/i $pc
9378 @end smallexample
9379
9380 @noindent
9381 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9382 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9383 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9384 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9385 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9386 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9387 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9388
9389 @smallexample
9390 set $sp += 4
9391 @end smallexample
9392
9393 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9394 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9395 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9396 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9397 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9398 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9399 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9400
9401 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9402 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9403 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9404 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9405 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9406 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9407 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9408
9409 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9410 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9411 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9412 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9413 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9414 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9415 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9416 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9417 prints the data in both formats.
9418
9419 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9420 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9421 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9422 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9423 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9424 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9425 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9426
9427 @smallexample
9428 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9429 $1 = @{
9430 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9431 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9432 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9433 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9434 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9435 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9436 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9437 @}
9438 @end smallexample
9439
9440 @noindent
9441 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9442 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9443 value to a @code{struct} member:
9444
9445 @smallexample
9446 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9447 @end smallexample
9448
9449 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9450 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9451 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9452 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9453 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9454 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9455
9456 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9457 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9458 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9459 frame makes no difference.
9460
9461 @node Floating Point Hardware
9462 @section Floating Point Hardware
9463 @cindex floating point
9464
9465 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9466 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9467
9468 @table @code
9469 @kindex info float
9470 @item info float
9471 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9472 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9473 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9474 the ARM and x86 machines.
9475 @end table
9476
9477 @node Vector Unit
9478 @section Vector Unit
9479 @cindex vector unit
9480
9481 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9482 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9483
9484 @table @code
9485 @kindex info vector
9486 @item info vector
9487 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9488 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9489 @end table
9490
9491 @node OS Information
9492 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9493 @cindex OS information
9494
9495 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9496 you debug your program.
9497
9498 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
9499 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
9500 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
9501 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
9502 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
9503 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
9504 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
9505 structure.
9506
9507 @table @code
9508 @item info udot
9509 @kindex info udot
9510 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
9511 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
9512 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
9513 the @code{examine} command.
9514 @end table
9515
9516 @cindex auxiliary vector
9517 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9518 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9519 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9520 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9521 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9522 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9523 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9524 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9525 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9526 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9527 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9528 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9529
9530 @table @code
9531 @kindex info auxv
9532 @item info auxv
9533 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9534 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9535 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9536 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9537 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9538 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9539 an unrecognized tag.
9540 @end table
9541
9542 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9543 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9544 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9545 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9546 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9547 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9548 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9549
9550 @table @code
9551 @kindex info os
9552 @item info os @var{infotype}
9553
9554 Display OS information of the requested type.
9555
9556 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9557
9558 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9559 @table @code
9560 @kindex info os processes
9561 @item processes
9562 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9563 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9564 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9565 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9566 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9567 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9568
9569 @kindex info os procgroups
9570 @item procgroups
9571 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9572 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9573 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9574 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9575 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9576 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9577 and the process group leader is listed first.
9578
9579 @kindex info os threads
9580 @item threads
9581 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9582 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9583 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9584 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9585 process is not listed.
9586
9587 @kindex info os files
9588 @item files
9589 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9590 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9591 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9592 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9593
9594 @kindex info os sockets
9595 @item sockets
9596 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9597 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9598 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9599 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9600 connection.
9601
9602 @kindex info os shm
9603 @item shm
9604 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9605 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9606 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9607 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9608 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9609 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9610 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9611
9612 @kindex info os semaphores
9613 @item semaphores
9614 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9615 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9616 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9617 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9618 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9619
9620 @kindex info os msg
9621 @item msg
9622 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9623 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9624 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9625 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9626 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9627 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9628 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9629 the message queue was last changed.
9630
9631 @kindex info os modules
9632 @item modules
9633 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9634 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9635 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9636 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9637 in memory.
9638 @end table
9639
9640 @item info os
9641 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9642 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9643 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9644 types, this command will report an error.
9645 @end table
9646
9647 @node Memory Region Attributes
9648 @section Memory Region Attributes
9649 @cindex memory region attributes
9650
9651 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9652 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9653 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9654 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9655 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9656 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9657 user can override the fetched regions.
9658
9659 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9660 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9661 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9662 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9663 all memory.
9664
9665 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9666 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9667
9668 @table @code
9669 @kindex mem
9670 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9671 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9672 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9673 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9674 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9675 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9676
9677 @item mem auto
9678 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9679 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9680
9681 @kindex delete mem
9682 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9683 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9684 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9685
9686 @kindex disable mem
9687 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9688 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9689 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9690 It may be enabled again later.
9691
9692 @kindex enable mem
9693 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9694 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9695
9696 @kindex info mem
9697 @item info mem
9698 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9699 for each region:
9700
9701 @table @emph
9702 @item Memory Region Number
9703 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9704 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9705 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9706
9707 @item Lo Address
9708 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9709
9710 @item Hi Address
9711 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9712
9713 @item Attributes
9714 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9715 @end table
9716 @end table
9717
9718
9719 @subsection Attributes
9720
9721 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9722 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9723 write accesses to a memory region.
9724
9725 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9726 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9727 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9728
9729 @table @code
9730 @item ro
9731 Memory is read only.
9732 @item wo
9733 Memory is write only.
9734 @item rw
9735 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9736 @end table
9737
9738 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9739 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9740 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9741 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9742 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9743
9744 @table @code
9745 @item 8
9746 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9747 @item 16
9748 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9749 @item 32
9750 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9751 @item 64
9752 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9753 @end table
9754
9755 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9756 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9757 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9758 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9759 @c
9760 @c @table @code
9761 @c @item hwbreak
9762 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9763 @c @item swbreak (default)
9764 @c @end table
9765
9766 @subsubsection Data Cache
9767 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9768 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9769 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9770 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9771 registers.
9772
9773 @table @code
9774 @item cache
9775 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9776 @item nocache
9777 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9778 @end table
9779
9780 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9781 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9782 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9783 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9784 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9785
9786 @table @code
9787 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9788 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9789 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9790 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9791 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9792 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9793 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9794 The default value is @code{on}.
9795 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9796 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9797 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9798 @end table
9799
9800
9801 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9802 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9803 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9804 @c
9805 @c @table @code
9806 @c @item verify
9807 @c @item noverify (default)
9808 @c @end table
9809
9810 @node Dump/Restore Files
9811 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9812 @cindex dump/restore files
9813 @cindex append data to a file
9814 @cindex dump data to a file
9815 @cindex restore data from a file
9816
9817 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9818 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9819 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9820 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9821 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9822 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9823 files.
9824
9825 @table @code
9826
9827 @kindex dump
9828 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9829 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9830 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9831 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9832
9833 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9834 @table @code
9835 @item binary
9836 Raw binary form.
9837 @item ihex
9838 Intel hex format.
9839 @item srec
9840 Motorola S-record format.
9841 @item tekhex
9842 Tektronix Hex format.
9843 @end table
9844
9845 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9846 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9847 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9848 form.
9849
9850 @kindex append
9851 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9852 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9853 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9854 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9855 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9856
9857 @kindex restore
9858 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9859 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9860 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9861 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9862 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9863
9864 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9865 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9866 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9867 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9868 from that location.
9869
9870 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9871 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9872 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9873 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9874
9875 @end table
9876
9877 @node Core File Generation
9878 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9879 @cindex dump core from inferior
9880
9881 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9882 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9883 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9884 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9885 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9886 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9887 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9888
9889 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9890 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9891 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9892
9893 @table @code
9894 @kindex gcore
9895 @kindex generate-core-file
9896 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9897 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9898 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9899 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9900 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9901 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9902
9903 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9904 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9905 @end table
9906
9907 @node Character Sets
9908 @section Character Sets
9909 @cindex character sets
9910 @cindex charset
9911 @cindex translating between character sets
9912 @cindex host character set
9913 @cindex target character set
9914
9915 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9916 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9917 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9918 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9919 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9920 @dfn{target character set}.
9921
9922 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9923 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9924 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9925 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9926 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9927 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9928 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9929 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9930 character and string literals in expressions.
9931
9932 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9933 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9934 target-charset} command, described below.
9935
9936 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9937 support:
9938
9939 @table @code
9940 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9941 @kindex set target-charset
9942 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9943 list of supported target character sets, type
9944 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9945
9946 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9947 @kindex set host-charset
9948 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9949
9950 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9951 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9952 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9953 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9954 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9955
9956 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9957 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9958 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9959
9960 @item set charset @var{charset}
9961 @kindex set charset
9962 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9963 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9964 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9965 for both host and target.
9966
9967 @item show charset
9968 @kindex show charset
9969 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9970
9971 @item show host-charset
9972 @kindex show host-charset
9973 Show the name of the current host character set.
9974
9975 @item show target-charset
9976 @kindex show target-charset
9977 Show the name of the current target character set.
9978
9979 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9980 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9981 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9982 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9983 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9984 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9985
9986 @item show target-wide-charset
9987 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9988 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9989 @end table
9990
9991 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9992 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9993 @file{charset-test.c}:
9994
9995 @smallexample
9996 #include <stdio.h>
9997
9998 char ascii_hello[]
9999 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10000 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10001 char ibm1047_hello[]
10002 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10003 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10004
10005 main ()
10006 @{
10007 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10008 @}
10009 @end smallexample
10010
10011 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10012 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10013 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10014
10015 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10016
10017 @smallexample
10018 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10019 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10020 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10021 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10022 @dots{}
10023 (@value{GDBP})
10024 @end smallexample
10025
10026 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10027 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10028 strings:
10029
10030 @smallexample
10031 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10032 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10033 (@value{GDBP})
10034 @end smallexample
10035
10036 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10037 initial character set:
10038 @smallexample
10039 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10040 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10041 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10042 (@value{GDBP})
10043 @end smallexample
10044
10045 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10046 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10047 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10048 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10049 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10050
10051 @smallexample
10052 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10053 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10054 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10055 $2 = 72 'H'
10056 (@value{GDBP})
10057 @end smallexample
10058
10059 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10060 literals you use in expressions:
10061
10062 @smallexample
10063 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10064 $3 = 43 '+'
10065 (@value{GDBP})
10066 @end smallexample
10067
10068 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10069 character.
10070
10071 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10072 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10073 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10074
10075 @smallexample
10076 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10077 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10078 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10079 $5 = 200 '\310'
10080 (@value{GDBP})
10081 @end smallexample
10082
10083 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10084 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10085
10086 @smallexample
10087 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10088 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10089 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10090 @end smallexample
10091
10092 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10093 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10094 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10095 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10096 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10097
10098 @smallexample
10099 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10100 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10101 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10102 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10103 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10104 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10105 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10106 $7 = 72 '\110'
10107 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10108 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10109 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10110 $9 = 200 'H'
10111 (@value{GDBP})
10112 @end smallexample
10113
10114 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10115 string literals you use in expressions:
10116
10117 @smallexample
10118 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10119 $10 = 78 '+'
10120 (@value{GDBP})
10121 @end smallexample
10122
10123 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10124 character.
10125
10126 @node Caching Remote Data
10127 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10128 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10129
10130 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10131 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10132 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10133 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10134 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10135 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10136 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10137 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10138 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10139 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10140 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10141 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10142 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10143 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10144 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10145
10146 @table @code
10147 @kindex set remotecache
10148 @item set remotecache on
10149 @itemx set remotecache off
10150 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10151 with old scripts.
10152
10153 @kindex show remotecache
10154 @item show remotecache
10155 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10156
10157 @kindex set stack-cache
10158 @item set stack-cache on
10159 @itemx set stack-cache off
10160 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10161 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10162
10163 @kindex show stack-cache
10164 @item show stack-cache
10165 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10166
10167 @kindex info dcache
10168 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10169 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10170 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10171 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10172 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10173 operation.
10174
10175 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10176 printed in hex.
10177
10178 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10179 @cindex dcache size
10180 @kindex set dcache size
10181 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10182
10183 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10184 @cindex dcache line-size
10185 @kindex set dcache line-size
10186 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10187 Must be a power of 2.
10188
10189 @item show dcache size
10190 @kindex show dcache size
10191 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10192
10193 @item show dcache line-size
10194 @kindex show dcache line-size
10195 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10196
10197 @end table
10198
10199 @node Searching Memory
10200 @section Search Memory
10201 @cindex searching memory
10202
10203 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10204 @code{find} command.
10205
10206 @table @code
10207 @kindex find
10208 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10209 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10210 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10211 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10212 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10213 @end table
10214
10215 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10216 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10217
10218 @table @r
10219 @item @var{s}, search query size
10220 The size of each search query value.
10221
10222 @table @code
10223 @item b
10224 bytes
10225 @item h
10226 halfwords (two bytes)
10227 @item w
10228 words (four bytes)
10229 @item g
10230 giant words (eight bytes)
10231 @end table
10232
10233 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10234 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10235 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10236
10237 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10238 value's type in the current language.
10239 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10240 pattern as a mixture of types.
10241 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10242 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10243 which is typically four bytes.
10244
10245 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10246 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10247 @end table
10248
10249 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10250 (@code{"}).
10251 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10252 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10253
10254 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10255 number of matches found.
10256
10257 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10258 @samp{$_}.
10259 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10260
10261 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10262
10263 @smallexample
10264 void
10265 hello ()
10266 @{
10267 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10268 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10269 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10270 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10271 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10272 @}
10273 @end smallexample
10274
10275 @noindent
10276 you get during debugging:
10277
10278 @smallexample
10279 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10280 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10281 1 pattern found
10282 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10283 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10284 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10285 2 patterns found
10286 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10287 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10288 1 pattern found
10289 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10290 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10291 1 pattern found
10292 (gdb) print $numfound
10293 $1 = 1
10294 (gdb) print $_
10295 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10296 @end smallexample
10297
10298 @node Optimized Code
10299 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10300 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10301 @cindex debugging optimized code
10302
10303 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10304 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10305 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10306 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10307 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10308 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10309 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10310
10311 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10312 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10313 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10314 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10315
10316 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10317 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10318 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10319 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10320 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10321 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10322
10323 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10324 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10325 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10326 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10327 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10328
10329 @menu
10330 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10331 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10332 @end menu
10333
10334 @node Inline Functions
10335 @section Inline Functions
10336 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10337
10338 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10339 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10340 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10341 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10342 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10343 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10344 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10345 @code{info frame} command.
10346
10347 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10348 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10349 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10350 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10351 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10352 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10353 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10354 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10355 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10356 local variables in the caller.
10357
10358 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10359 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10360 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10361 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10362 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10363 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10364 instructions are executed.
10365
10366 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10367 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10368 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10369 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10370
10371 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10372 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10373
10374 @itemize @bullet
10375 @item
10376 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10377 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10378 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10379 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10380 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10381 or inside the inlined function instead.
10382
10383 @item
10384 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10385 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10386 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10387 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10388
10389 @end itemize
10390
10391 @node Tail Call Frames
10392 @section Tail Call Frames
10393 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10394
10395 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10396 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10397 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10398 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10399 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10400
10401 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10402 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10403 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10404 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10405 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10406 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10407 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10408
10409 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10410 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10411 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10412 this information.
10413
10414 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10415 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10416
10417 @smallexample
10418 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10419 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10420 (gdb) info frame
10421 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10422 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10423 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10424 source language c++.
10425 Arglist at unknown address.
10426 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10427 @end smallexample
10428
10429 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10430 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10431 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10432 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10433 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10434 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10435
10436 @table @code
10437 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10438 @item set debug entry-values
10439 @kindex set debug entry-values
10440 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10441 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10442 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10443 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10444 result.
10445
10446 @item show debug entry-values
10447 @kindex show debug entry-values
10448 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10449 values at function entry and tail calls.
10450 @end table
10451
10452 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10453 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10454 reference by variable @code{x}):
10455
10456 @smallexample
10457 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10458 void (*x) (void) = c;
10459 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10460 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10461 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10462
10463 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10464 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10465 a () at t.c:3
10466 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10467 (gdb) bt
10468 #0 a () at t.c:3
10469 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10470 @end smallexample
10471
10472 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10473
10474 @smallexample
10475 int i;
10476 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10477 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10478 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10479 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10480 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10481 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10482 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10483 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10484
10485 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10486 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10487 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10488 (gdb) bt
10489 #0 f () at t.c:2
10490 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10491 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10492 @end smallexample
10493
10494 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10495 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10496
10497 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10498 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10499 @set ARROW @click{}
10500 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10501 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10502 @end ifset
10503 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10504 @set ARROW ->
10505 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10506 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10507 @end ifclear
10508
10509 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10510 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10511 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10512
10513 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10514 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10515 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10516 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10517 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10518 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10519
10520 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10521 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10522 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10523 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10524 omitted.
10525
10526 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10527 entry may fail:
10528
10529 @smallexample
10530 int v;
10531 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10532 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10533 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10534 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10535 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10536 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10537
10538 (gdb) bt
10539 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10540 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10541 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10542 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10543 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10544 @end smallexample
10545
10546 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10547 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10548 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10549 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10550 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10551
10552 @node Macros
10553 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10554
10555 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10556 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10557 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10558 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10559 where it was defined.
10560
10561 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10562 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10563 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10564 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10565
10566 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10567 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10568 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10569 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10570 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10571 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10572 see @ref{List}.
10573
10574 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10575 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10576 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10577
10578 @table @code
10579
10580 @kindex macro expand
10581 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10582 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10583 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10584 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10585 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10586 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10587 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10588 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10589 it can be any string of tokens.
10590
10591 @kindex macro exp1
10592 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10593 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10594 @cindex expand macro once
10595 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10596 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10597 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10598 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10599 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10600 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10601 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10602 can be any string of tokens.
10603
10604 @kindex info macro
10605 @cindex macro definition, showing
10606 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10607 @cindex macros, from debug info
10608 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10609 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10610 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10611 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10612 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10613 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10614
10615 @kindex info macros
10616 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10617 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10618 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10619 command-line where those definitions were established.
10620
10621 @kindex macro define
10622 @cindex user-defined macros
10623 @cindex defining macros interactively
10624 @cindex macros, user-defined
10625 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10626 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10627 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10628 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10629 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10630 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10631 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10632 @var{arglist}.
10633
10634 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10635 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10636 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10637 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10638 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10639
10640 @kindex macro undef
10641 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10642 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10643 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10644 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10645 in the program being debugged.
10646
10647 @kindex macro list
10648 @item macro list
10649 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10650 @end table
10651
10652 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10653 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10654 show our source files:
10655
10656 @smallexample
10657 $ cat sample.c
10658 #include <stdio.h>
10659 #include "sample.h"
10660
10661 #define M 42
10662 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10663
10664 main ()
10665 @{
10666 #define N 28
10667 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10668 #undef N
10669 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10670 #define N 1729
10671 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10672 @}
10673 $ cat sample.h
10674 #define Q <
10675 $
10676 @end smallexample
10677
10678 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10679 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10680 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10681 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10682 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10683 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10684 information.
10685
10686 @smallexample
10687 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10688 $
10689 @end smallexample
10690
10691 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10692
10693 @smallexample
10694 $ gdb -nw sample
10695 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10696 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10697 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10698 (@value{GDBP})
10699 @end smallexample
10700
10701 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10702 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10703 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10704
10705 @smallexample
10706 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10707 3
10708 4 #define M 42
10709 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10710 6
10711 7 main ()
10712 8 @{
10713 9 #define N 28
10714 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10715 11 #undef N
10716 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10717 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10718 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10719 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10720 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10721 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10722 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10723 #define Q <
10724 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10725 expands to: (42 + 1)
10726 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10727 expands to: once (M + 1)
10728 (@value{GDBP})
10729 @end smallexample
10730
10731 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10732 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10733 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10734 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10735
10736 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10737 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10738
10739 @smallexample
10740 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10741 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10742 (@value{GDBP}) run
10743 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10744
10745 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10746 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10747 (@value{GDBP})
10748 @end smallexample
10749
10750 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10751
10752 @smallexample
10753 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10754 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10755 #define N 28
10756 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10757 expands to: 28 < 42
10758 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10759 $1 = 1
10760 (@value{GDBP})
10761 @end smallexample
10762
10763 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10764 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10765 thereof) in force at each point:
10766
10767 @smallexample
10768 (@value{GDBP}) next
10769 Hello, world!
10770 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10771 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10772 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10773 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10774 (@value{GDBP}) next
10775 We're so creative.
10776 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10777 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10778 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10779 #define N 1729
10780 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10781 expands to: 1729 < 42
10782 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10783 $2 = 0
10784 (@value{GDBP})
10785 @end smallexample
10786
10787 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10788 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10789 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10790 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10791
10792 @smallexample
10793 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10794 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10795 -D__STDC__=1
10796 (@value{GDBP})
10797 @end smallexample
10798
10799
10800 @node Tracepoints
10801 @chapter Tracepoints
10802 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10803 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10804
10805 @cindex tracepoints
10806 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10807 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10808 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10809 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10810 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10811 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10812 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10813
10814 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10815 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10816 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10817 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10818 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10819 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10820 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10821 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10822 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10823 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10824 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10825
10826 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10827 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10828 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10829 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10830 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10831 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10832 Packets}.
10833
10834 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10835 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10836 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10837
10838 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10839
10840 @menu
10841 * Set Tracepoints::
10842 * Analyze Collected Data::
10843 * Tracepoint Variables::
10844 * Trace Files::
10845 @end menu
10846
10847 @node Set Tracepoints
10848 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10849
10850 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10851 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10852 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10853 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10854 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10855 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10856 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10857
10858 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10859 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10860 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10861 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10862 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10863 tracepoint was hit.
10864
10865 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10866 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10867 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10868 either.
10869
10870 @cindex fast tracepoints
10871 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10872 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10873 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10874
10875 @cindex static tracepoints
10876 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10877 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10878 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10879 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10880 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10881 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10882 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10883 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10884 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10885 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10886 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10887 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10888 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10889 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10890 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10891 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10892 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10893 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10894 static tracepoint marker.
10895
10896 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10897 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10898
10899 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10900 conditions and actions.
10901
10902 @menu
10903 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10904 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10905 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10906 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10907 * Trace State Variables::
10908 * Tracepoint Actions::
10909 * Listing Tracepoints::
10910 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10911 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10912 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10913 @end menu
10914
10915 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10916 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10917
10918 @table @code
10919 @cindex set tracepoint
10920 @kindex trace
10921 @item trace @var{location}
10922 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10923 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10924 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10925 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10926 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10927 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10928 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
10929 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
10930 in tracing}).
10931 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
10932 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10933 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10934 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
10935 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
10936 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
10937 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
10938 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
10939 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
10940 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
10941 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
10942 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
10943
10944 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10945
10946 @smallexample
10947 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10948
10949 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10950
10951 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10952
10953 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10954
10955 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10956 @end smallexample
10957
10958 @noindent
10959 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
10960
10961 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
10962 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
10963 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
10964 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
10965 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
10966 information on tracepoint conditions.
10967
10968 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10969 @cindex set fast tracepoint
10970 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
10971 @kindex ftrace
10972 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
10973 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
10974 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
10975 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
10976 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
10977 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
10978 message.
10979
10980 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
10981 @code{trace}.
10982
10983 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
10984 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
10985 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
10986 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
10987 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
10988 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
10989 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
10990 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
10991
10992 @example
10993 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
10994 @end example
10995
10996 @noindent
10997 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
10998 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
10999
11000 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11001 @cindex set static tracepoint
11002 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11003 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11004 @kindex strace
11005 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11006 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11007 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11008 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11009 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11010
11011 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11012 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11013 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11014 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11015 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11016 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11017 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11018 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11019 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11020 tracing engine:
11021
11022 @smallexample
11023 main ()
11024 @{
11025 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11026 @}
11027 @end smallexample
11028
11029 @noindent
11030 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11031 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11032
11033 @smallexample
11034 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11035 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11036 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11037 Data: "str %s"
11038 [etc...]
11039 @end smallexample
11040
11041 @noindent
11042 so you may probe the marker above with:
11043
11044 @smallexample
11045 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11046 @end smallexample
11047
11048 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11049 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11050 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11051 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11052 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11053 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11054 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11055 the @samp{Data:} field.
11056
11057 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11058 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11059 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11060
11061 @vindex $tpnum
11062 @cindex last tracepoint number
11063 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11064 @cindex tracepoint number
11065 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11066 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11067
11068 @kindex delete tracepoint
11069 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11070 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11071 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11072 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11073 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11074
11075 Examples:
11076
11077 @smallexample
11078 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11079
11080 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11081 @end smallexample
11082
11083 @noindent
11084 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11085 @end table
11086
11087 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11088 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11089
11090 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11091
11092 @table @code
11093 @kindex disable tracepoint
11094 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11095 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11096 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11097 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11098 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11099 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11100 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11101 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11102 next trace experiment.
11103
11104 @kindex enable tracepoint
11105 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11106 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11107 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11108 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11109 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11110 next time a trace experiment is run.
11111 @end table
11112
11113 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11114 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11115
11116 @table @code
11117 @kindex passcount
11118 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11119 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11120 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11121 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11122 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11123 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11124 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11125 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11126 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11127 user.
11128
11129 Examples:
11130
11131 @smallexample
11132 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11133 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11134
11135 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11136 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11137 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11138 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11139 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11140 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11141 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11142 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11143 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11144 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11145 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11146 @end smallexample
11147 @end table
11148
11149 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11150 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11151 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11152 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11153
11154 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11155 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11156 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11157 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11158 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11159 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11160 is true.
11161
11162 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11163 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11164 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11165 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11166 just as with breakpoints.
11167
11168 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11169 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11170 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11171 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11172 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11173 accesses, and so forth.
11174
11175 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11176 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11177 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11178 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11179 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11180 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11181 search through.
11182
11183 @smallexample
11184 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11185 @end smallexample
11186
11187 @node Trace State Variables
11188 @subsection Trace State Variables
11189 @cindex trace state variables
11190
11191 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11192 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11193 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11194 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11195 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11196 integers.
11197
11198 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11199 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11200 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11201 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11202
11203 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11204 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11205 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11206 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11207 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11208 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11209 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11210 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11211 variable with the same name.
11212
11213 @table @code
11214
11215 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11216 @kindex tvariable
11217 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11218 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11219 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11220 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11221 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11222 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11223 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11224 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11225 value. The default initial value is 0.
11226
11227 @item info tvariables
11228 @kindex info tvariables
11229 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11230 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11231 currently running.
11232
11233 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11234 @kindex delete tvariable
11235 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11236 are specified.
11237
11238 @end table
11239
11240 @node Tracepoint Actions
11241 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11242
11243 @table @code
11244 @kindex actions
11245 @cindex tracepoint actions
11246 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11247 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11248 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11249 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11250 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11251 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11252 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11253 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11254 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11255 @code{while-stepping}.
11256
11257 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11258 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11259 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11260
11261 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11262 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11263 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11264
11265 @smallexample
11266 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11267
11268 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11269
11270 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11271 @end smallexample
11272
11273 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11274 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11275 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11276 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11277 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11278 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11279 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11280 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11281
11282 @smallexample
11283 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11284 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11285 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11286 > collect bar,baz
11287 > collect $regs
11288 > while-stepping 12
11289 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11290 > end
11291 end
11292 @end smallexample
11293
11294 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11295 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11296 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11297 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11298 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11299 special arguments are supported:
11300
11301 @table @code
11302 @item $regs
11303 Collect all registers.
11304
11305 @item $args
11306 Collect all function arguments.
11307
11308 @item $locals
11309 Collect all local variables.
11310
11311 @item $_ret
11312 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11313 of a backtrace.
11314
11315 @item $_probe_argc
11316 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11317 tracepoint is located.
11318 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11319
11320 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11321 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11322 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11323 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11324
11325 @item $_sdata
11326 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11327 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11328 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11329 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11330 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11331 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11332 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11333 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11334 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11335
11336 @smallexample
11337 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11338 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11339 @end smallexample
11340
11341 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11342 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11343 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11344 @value{GDBN}.
11345 @end table
11346
11347 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11348 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11349 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11350
11351 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11352 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11353 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11354 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11355 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11356 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11357 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11358 @samp{mystr}.
11359
11360 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11361 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11362
11363 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11364 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11365 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11366 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11367 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11368 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11369 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11370 action were used.
11371
11372 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11373 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11374 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11375 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11376 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11377 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11378
11379 @smallexample
11380 > while-stepping 12
11381 > collect $regs, myglobal
11382 > end
11383 >
11384 @end smallexample
11385
11386 @noindent
11387 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11388 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11389 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11390 @code{stepping}.
11391
11392 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11393 @kindex set default-collect
11394 @cindex default collection action
11395 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11396 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11397 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11398 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11399 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11400 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11401
11402 @item show default-collect
11403 @kindex show default-collect
11404 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11405 tracepoint hit.
11406
11407 @end table
11408
11409 @node Listing Tracepoints
11410 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11411
11412 @table @code
11413 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11414 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11415 @cindex information about tracepoints
11416 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11417 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11418 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11419 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11420 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11421 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11422
11423 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11424 tracing:
11425
11426 @itemize @bullet
11427 @item
11428 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11429 @end itemize
11430
11431 @smallexample
11432 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11433 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11434 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11435 while-stepping 20
11436 collect globfoo, $regs
11437 end
11438 collect globfoo2
11439 end
11440 pass count 1200
11441 (@value{GDBP})
11442 @end smallexample
11443
11444 @noindent
11445 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11446 @end table
11447
11448 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11449 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11450
11451 @table @code
11452 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11453 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11454 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11455 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11456 program.
11457
11458 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11459
11460 @table @emph
11461 @item Count
11462 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11463 stable identifier.
11464 @item ID
11465 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11466 @item Enabled or Disabled
11467 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11468 that are not enabled.
11469 @item Address
11470 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11471 @item What
11472 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11473 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11474 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11475 will be left blank.
11476 @end table
11477
11478 @noindent
11479 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11480
11481 @table @emph
11482 @item Data
11483 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11484 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11485 marker call.
11486 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11487 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11488 @end table
11489
11490 @smallexample
11491 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11492 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11493 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11494 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11495 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11496 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11497 Data: str %s
11498 (@value{GDBP})
11499 @end smallexample
11500 @end table
11501
11502 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11503 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11504
11505 @table @code
11506 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11507 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11508 @cindex collected data discarded
11509 @item tstart
11510 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11511 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11512 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11513 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11514 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11515 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11516 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11517 information, and so forth.
11518
11519 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11520 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11521 @item tstop
11522 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11523 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11524 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11525 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11526 needs to be stopped quickly.
11527
11528 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11529 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11530 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11531
11532 @kindex tstatus
11533 @cindex status of trace data collection
11534 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11535 @item tstatus
11536 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11537 collection.
11538 @end table
11539
11540 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11541
11542 @smallexample
11543 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11544 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11545 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11546 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11547 > while-stepping 11
11548 > collect $regs
11549 > end
11550 > end
11551 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11552 [time passes @dots{}]
11553 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11554 @end smallexample
11555
11556 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11557 @cindex disconnected tracing
11558 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11559 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11560 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11561 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11562 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11563 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11564 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11565 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11566
11567 @table @code
11568 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11569 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11570 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11571 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11572 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11573 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11574 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11575 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11576
11577 @item show disconnected-tracing
11578 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11579 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11580
11581 @end table
11582
11583 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11584 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11585 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11586 it will continue after reconnection.
11587
11588 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11589 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11590 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11591 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11592 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11593 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11594 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11595 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11596 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11597 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11598
11599 @cindex circular trace buffer
11600 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11601 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11602 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11603 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11604 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11605 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11606 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11607 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11608 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11609 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11610 the next run.
11611
11612 @table @code
11613 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11614 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11615 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11616 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11617 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11618 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11619 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11620
11621 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11622 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11623 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11624 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11625 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11626 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11627
11628 @end table
11629
11630 @table @code
11631 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11632 @kindex set trace-user
11633
11634 @item show trace-user
11635 @kindex show trace-user
11636
11637 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11638 @kindex set trace-notes
11639 Set the trace run's notes.
11640
11641 @item show trace-notes
11642 @kindex show trace-notes
11643 Show the trace run's notes.
11644
11645 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11646 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11647 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11648 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11649 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11650
11651 @item show trace-stop-notes
11652 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11653 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11654
11655 @end table
11656
11657 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11658 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11659
11660 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11661 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11662 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11663 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11664 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11665 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11666 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11667 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11668 mentioned here.
11669
11670 @itemize @bullet
11671
11672 @item
11673 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11674 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11675 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11676 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11677 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11678 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11679 cannot be collected either.
11680
11681 @item
11682 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11683 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11684 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11685 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11686 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11687 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11688 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11689 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11690 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11691 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11692
11693 @item
11694 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11695 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11696 in a misleading way.
11697
11698 @item
11699 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11700 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11701 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11702 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11703 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11704 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11705 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11706 by @code{ptr}.
11707
11708 @item
11709 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11710 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11711 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11712 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11713 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11714 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11715 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11716 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11717 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11718 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11719 invalid address.
11720
11721 @item
11722 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11723 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11724 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11725 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11726 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11727 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11728 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11729 it to zero.
11730
11731 @end itemize
11732
11733 @node Analyze Collected Data
11734 @section Using the Collected Data
11735
11736 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11737 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11738 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11739 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11740 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11741 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11742 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11743 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11744 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11745 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11746 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11747 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11748 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11749 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11750 the buffer will fail.
11751
11752 @menu
11753 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11754 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11755 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11756 @end menu
11757
11758 @node tfind
11759 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11760
11761 @kindex tfind
11762 @cindex select trace snapshot
11763 @cindex find trace snapshot
11764 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11765 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11766 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11767 snapshot is selected.
11768
11769 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11770
11771 @table @code
11772 @item tfind start
11773 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11774 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11775
11776 @item tfind none
11777 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11778
11779 @item tfind end
11780 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11781
11782 @item tfind
11783 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11784
11785 @item tfind -
11786 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11787 retracing earlier steps.
11788
11789 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11790 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11791 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11792 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11793 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11794
11795 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11796 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11797 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11798 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11799 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11800
11801 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11802 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11803 addresses (exclusive).
11804
11805 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11806 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11807 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11808
11809 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11810 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11811 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11812 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11813 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11814 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11815 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11816 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11817 @end table
11818
11819 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11820 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11821 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11822 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11823 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11824 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11825 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11826 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11827 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11828 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11829 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11830 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11831 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11832 tracepoint as the current one.
11833
11834 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11835 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11836 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11837 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11838 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11839
11840 @smallexample
11841 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11842 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11843 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11844 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11845 > tfind
11846 > end
11847
11848 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11849 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11850 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11851 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11852 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11853 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11854 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11855 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11856 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11857 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11858 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11859 @end smallexample
11860
11861 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11862 the buffer:
11863
11864 @smallexample
11865 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11867 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11868 > tfind line
11869 > end
11870
11871 Frame 0, X = 1
11872 Frame 7, X = 2
11873 Frame 13, X = 255
11874 @end smallexample
11875
11876 @node tdump
11877 @subsection @code{tdump}
11878 @kindex tdump
11879 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11880 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11881
11882 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11883 the current trace snapshot.
11884
11885 @smallexample
11886 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11887 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11888 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11889 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11890 > end
11891
11892 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11893
11894 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11895 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11896 at gdb_test.c:444
11897 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11898
11899 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11900 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11901 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11902 d1 0x18 24
11903 d2 0x80 128
11904 d3 0x33 51
11905 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11906 d5 0x22 34
11907 d6 0xe0 224
11908 d7 0x380035 3670069
11909 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11910 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11911 a2 0x100 256
11912 a3 0x322000 3284992
11913 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11914 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11915 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11916 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11917 ps 0x0 0
11918 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11919 fpcontrol 0x0 0
11920 fpstatus 0x0 0
11921 fpiaddr 0x0 0
11922 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11923 p1 = (void *) 0x11
11924 p2 = (void *) 0x22
11925 p3 = (void *) 0x33
11926 p4 = (void *) 0x44
11927 p5 = (void *) 0x55
11928 p6 = (void *) 0x66
11929 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11930
11931 (@value{GDBP})
11932 @end smallexample
11933
11934 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11935 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11936 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11937 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11938
11939 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11940 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11941 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11942 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11943 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11944 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11945 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11946 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11947 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11948 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11949
11950 @node save tracepoints
11951 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11952 @kindex save tracepoints
11953 @kindex save-tracepoints
11954 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11955
11956 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11957 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11958 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11959 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
11960 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
11961 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
11962
11963 @node Tracepoint Variables
11964 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
11965 @cindex tracepoint variables
11966 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
11967
11968 @table @code
11969 @vindex $trace_frame
11970 @item (int) $trace_frame
11971 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
11972 snapshot is selected.
11973
11974 @vindex $tracepoint
11975 @item (int) $tracepoint
11976 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
11977
11978 @vindex $trace_line
11979 @item (int) $trace_line
11980 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
11981
11982 @vindex $trace_file
11983 @item (char []) $trace_file
11984 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
11985
11986 @vindex $trace_func
11987 @item (char []) $trace_func
11988 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
11989 @end table
11990
11991 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
11992 use @code{output} instead.
11993
11994 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
11995 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
11996 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
11997 which are managed by the target.
11998
11999 @smallexample
12000 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12001
12002 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12003 > output $trace_file
12004 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12005 > tfind
12006 > end
12007 @end smallexample
12008
12009 @node Trace Files
12010 @section Using Trace Files
12011 @cindex trace files
12012
12013 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12014 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12015 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12016 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12017 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12018
12019 @table @code
12020
12021 @kindex tsave
12022 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12023 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12024 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12025 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12026 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12027 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12028 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12029 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12030 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12031
12032 @kindex target tfile
12033 @kindex tfile
12034 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12035 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
12036 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
12037 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
12038 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
12039 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
12040 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
12041
12042 @end table
12043
12044 @node Overlays
12045 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12046 @cindex overlays
12047
12048 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12049 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12050 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12051 use overlays.
12052
12053 @menu
12054 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12055 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12056 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12057 mapped by asking the inferior.
12058 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12059 @end menu
12060
12061 @node How Overlays Work
12062 @section How Overlays Work
12063 @cindex mapped overlays
12064 @cindex unmapped overlays
12065 @cindex load address, overlay's
12066 @cindex mapped address
12067 @cindex overlay area
12068
12069 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12070 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12071 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12072 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12073 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12074
12075 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12076 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12077 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12078 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12079 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12080 largest overlay as well.
12081
12082 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12083 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12084 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12085 there.
12086
12087 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12088 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12089 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12090
12091 @smallexample
12092 @group
12093 Data Instruction Larger
12094 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12095 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12096 | | | | | |
12097 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12098 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12099 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12100 | and heap | | | | | |
12101 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12102 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12103 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12104 | | | | | |
12105 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12106 address | | | | | |
12107 | overlay | <-' | | |
12108 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12109 | | <---. | | load address
12110 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12111 | | | |
12112 +-----------+ | |
12113 +-----------+
12114 | |
12115 +-----------+
12116
12117 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12118 @end group
12119 @end smallexample
12120
12121 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12122 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12123 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12124 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12125 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12126 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12127 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12128 program and the overlay area.
12129
12130 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12131 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12132 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12133 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12134 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12135 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12136 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12137
12138 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12139 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12140 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12141
12142 @itemize @bullet
12143
12144 @item
12145 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12146 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12147 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12148 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12149
12150 @item
12151 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12152 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12153 your program's performance.
12154
12155 @item
12156 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12157 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12158 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12159 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12160 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12161 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12162 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12163
12164 @item
12165 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12166 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12167 instruction and data spaces.
12168
12169 @end itemize
12170
12171 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12172 improved in many ways:
12173
12174 @itemize @bullet
12175
12176 @item
12177 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12178 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12179 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12180 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12181 area in the usual way.
12182
12183 @item
12184 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12185 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12186
12187 @item
12188 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12189 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12190 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12191 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12192 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12193 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12194 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12195
12196 @end itemize
12197
12198
12199 @node Overlay Commands
12200 @section Overlay Commands
12201
12202 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12203 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12204 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12205 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12206 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12207 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12208
12209 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12210 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12211
12212 @table @code
12213 @item overlay off
12214 @kindex overlay
12215 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12216 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12217 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12218 overlay support is disabled.
12219
12220 @item overlay manual
12221 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12222 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12223 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12224 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12225 commands described below.
12226
12227 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12228 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12229 @cindex map an overlay
12230 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12231 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12232 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12233 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12234 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12235 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12236
12237 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12238 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12239 @cindex unmap an overlay
12240 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12241 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12242 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12243 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12244
12245 @item overlay auto
12246 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12247 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12248 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12249 Overlay Debugging}.
12250
12251 @item overlay load-target
12252 @itemx overlay load
12253 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12254 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12255 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12256 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12257 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12258 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12259
12260 @item overlay list-overlays
12261 @itemx overlay list
12262 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12263 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12264 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12265
12266 @end table
12267
12268 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12269 of the function the address falls in:
12270
12271 @smallexample
12272 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12273 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12274 @end smallexample
12275 @noindent
12276 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12277 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12278 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12279 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12280
12281 @smallexample
12282 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12283 No sections are mapped.
12284 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12285 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12286 @end smallexample
12287 @noindent
12288 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12289 name normally:
12290
12291 @smallexample
12292 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12293 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12294 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12295 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12296 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12297 @end smallexample
12298
12299 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12300 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12301 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12302 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12303 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12304
12305 @itemize @bullet
12306 @item
12307 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12308 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12309 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12310 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12311 @item
12312 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12313 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12314 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12315 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12316 breakpoints properly.
12317 @end itemize
12318
12319
12320 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12321 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12322 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12323
12324 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12325 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12326 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12327 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12328 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12329 current state of the overlays.
12330
12331 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12332 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12333
12334 @table @asis
12335
12336 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12337 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12338
12339 @smallexample
12340 struct
12341 @{
12342 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12343 unsigned long vma;
12344
12345 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12346 unsigned long size;
12347
12348 /* The overlay's load address. */
12349 unsigned long lma;
12350
12351 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12352 zero otherwise. */
12353 unsigned long mapped;
12354 @}
12355 @end smallexample
12356
12357 @item @code{_novlys}:
12358 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12359 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12360
12361 @end table
12362
12363 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12364 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12365 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12366 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12367 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12368 currently mapped.
12369
12370 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12371 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12372 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12373 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12374 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12375 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12376 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12377 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12378 are not being executed.
12379
12380 @node Overlay Sample Program
12381 @section Overlay Sample Program
12382 @cindex overlay example program
12383
12384 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12385 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12386 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12387 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12388 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12389 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12390 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12391
12392 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12393 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12394 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12395 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12396
12397 @table @file
12398 @item overlays.c
12399 The main program file.
12400 @item ovlymgr.c
12401 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12402 @item foo.c
12403 @itemx bar.c
12404 @itemx baz.c
12405 @itemx grbx.c
12406 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12407 @item d10v.ld
12408 @itemx m32r.ld
12409 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12410 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12411 @end table
12412
12413 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12414 cross-compiler like this:
12415
12416 @smallexample
12417 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12418 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12419 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12420 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12421 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12422 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12423 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12424 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12425 @end smallexample
12426
12427 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12428 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12429 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12430
12431
12432 @node Languages
12433 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12434 @cindex languages
12435
12436 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12437 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12438 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12439 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12440 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12441 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12442
12443 @cindex working language
12444 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12445 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12446 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12447 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12448 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12449 language}.
12450
12451 @menu
12452 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12453 * Show:: Displaying the language
12454 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12455 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12456 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12457 @end menu
12458
12459 @node Setting
12460 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12461
12462 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12463 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12464 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12465 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12466 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12467 are printed, etc.
12468
12469 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12470 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12471 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12472 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12473 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12474 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12475 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12476 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12477 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12478 Displaying the Language}.
12479
12480 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12481 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12482 another language. In that case, make the
12483 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12484 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12485 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12486
12487 @menu
12488 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12489 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12490 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12491 @end menu
12492
12493 @node Filenames
12494 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12495
12496 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12497 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12498
12499 @table @file
12500 @item .ada
12501 @itemx .ads
12502 @itemx .adb
12503 @itemx .a
12504 Ada source file.
12505
12506 @item .c
12507 C source file
12508
12509 @item .C
12510 @itemx .cc
12511 @itemx .cp
12512 @itemx .cpp
12513 @itemx .cxx
12514 @itemx .c++
12515 C@t{++} source file
12516
12517 @item .d
12518 D source file
12519
12520 @item .m
12521 Objective-C source file
12522
12523 @item .f
12524 @itemx .F
12525 Fortran source file
12526
12527 @item .mod
12528 Modula-2 source file
12529
12530 @item .s
12531 @itemx .S
12532 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12533 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12534 @end table
12535
12536 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12537 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12538
12539 @node Manually
12540 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12541
12542 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12543 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12544 your program.
12545
12546 @kindex set language
12547 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12548 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12549 a language, such as
12550 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12551 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12552
12553 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12554 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12555 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12556 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12557 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12558 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12559 command such as:
12560
12561 @smallexample
12562 print a = b + c
12563 @end smallexample
12564
12565 @noindent
12566 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12567 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12568 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12569 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12570
12571 @node Automatically
12572 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12573
12574 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12575 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12576 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12577 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12578 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12579 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12580 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12581 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12582 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12583
12584 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12585 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12586 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12587 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12588 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12589
12590 @node Show
12591 @section Displaying the Language
12592
12593 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12594 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12595
12596 @table @code
12597 @item show language
12598 @kindex show language
12599 Display the current working language. This is the
12600 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12601 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12602
12603 @item info frame
12604 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12605 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12606 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12607 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12608 information listed here.
12609
12610 @item info source
12611 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12612 Display the source language of this source file.
12613 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12614 information listed here.
12615 @end table
12616
12617 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12618 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12619 with a language explicitly:
12620
12621 @table @code
12622 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12623 @kindex set extension-language
12624 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12625 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12626
12627 @item info extensions
12628 @kindex info extensions
12629 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12630 @end table
12631
12632 @node Checks
12633 @section Type and Range Checking
12634
12635 @quotation
12636 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
12637 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
12638 section documents the intended facilities.
12639 @end quotation
12640 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
12641
12642 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12643 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12644 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
12645 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12646 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12647 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
12648 errors when your program is running.
12649
12650 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
12651 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
12652 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
12653 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
12654 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
12655 automatically based on your program's source language.
12656 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
12657 settings of supported languages.
12658
12659 @menu
12660 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12661 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12662 @end menu
12663
12664 @cindex type checking
12665 @cindex checks, type
12666 @node Type Checking
12667 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12668
12669 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12670 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12671 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12672 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12673
12674 @smallexample
12675 1 + 2 @result{} 3
12676 @exdent but
12677 @error{} 1 + 2.3
12678 @end smallexample
12679
12680 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
12681 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
12682
12683 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
12684 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
12685 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12686 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
12687 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
12688 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
12689 also issues a warning.
12690
12691 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
12692 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12693 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12694 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12695 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
12696 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
12697
12698 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
12699 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
12700 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
12701 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
12702 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
12703 details on specific languages.
12704
12705 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
12706
12707 @kindex set check type
12708 @kindex show check type
12709 @table @code
12710 @item set check type auto
12711 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
12712 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12713 each language.
12714
12715 @item set check type on
12716 @itemx set check type off
12717 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12718 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
12719 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
12720 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12721 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12722
12723 @item set check type warn
12724 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
12725 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
12726 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
12727 numbers and structures.
12728
12729 @item show type
12730 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
12731 is setting it automatically.
12732 @end table
12733
12734 @cindex range checking
12735 @cindex checks, range
12736 @node Range Checking
12737 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12738
12739 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12740 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12741 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12742 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12743 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12744
12745 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12746 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12747 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12748 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12749
12750 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12751 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12752 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12753 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12754 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12755 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12756
12757 @smallexample
12758 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12759 @end smallexample
12760
12761 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12762 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12763 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12764
12765 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12766
12767 @kindex set check range
12768 @kindex show check range
12769 @table @code
12770 @item set check range auto
12771 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12772 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12773 each language.
12774
12775 @item set check range on
12776 @itemx set check range off
12777 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12778 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12779 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12780 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12781
12782 @item set check range warn
12783 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12784 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12785 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12786 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12787 systems).
12788
12789 @item show range
12790 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12791 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12792 @end table
12793
12794 @node Supported Languages
12795 @section Supported Languages
12796
12797 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
12798 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12799 @c This is false ...
12800 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12801 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12802 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12803 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12804 language.
12805
12806 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12807 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12808 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12809 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12810 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12811 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12812 language reference or tutorial.
12813
12814 @menu
12815 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12816 * D:: D
12817 * Go:: Go
12818 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12819 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12820 * Fortran:: Fortran
12821 * Pascal:: Pascal
12822 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12823 * Ada:: Ada
12824 @end menu
12825
12826 @node C
12827 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12828
12829 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12830 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12831
12832 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12833 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12834 together.
12835
12836 @cindex C@t{++}
12837 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12838 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12839 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12840 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12841 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12842 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12843 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12844
12845 @menu
12846 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12847 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12848 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12849 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12850 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12851 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12852 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12853 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12854 @end menu
12855
12856 @node C Operators
12857 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12858
12859 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12860
12861 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12862 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12863 often defined on groups of types.
12864
12865 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12866
12867 @itemize @bullet
12868
12869 @item
12870 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12871 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12872
12873 @item
12874 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12875 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12876
12877 @item
12878 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12879
12880 @item
12881 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12882
12883 @end itemize
12884
12885 @noindent
12886 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12887 in order of increasing precedence:
12888
12889 @table @code
12890 @item ,
12891 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12892 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12893 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12894
12895 @item =
12896 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12897 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12898
12899 @item @var{op}=
12900 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12901 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12902 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12903 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12904 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12905
12906 @item ?:
12907 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12908 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12909 integral type.
12910
12911 @item ||
12912 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12913
12914 @item &&
12915 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12916
12917 @item |
12918 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12919
12920 @item ^
12921 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12922
12923 @item &
12924 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12925
12926 @item ==@r{, }!=
12927 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12928 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12929
12930 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12931 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12932 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12933 and non-zero for true.
12934
12935 @item <<@r{, }>>
12936 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12937
12938 @item @@
12939 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12940
12941 @item +@r{, }-
12942 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12943 pointer types.
12944
12945 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12946 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12947 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12948 integral types.
12949
12950 @item ++@r{, }--
12951 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12952 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12953 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12954 operation takes place.
12955
12956 @item *
12957 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12958 @code{++}.
12959
12960 @item &
12961 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12962
12963 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12964 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12965 to examine the address
12966 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12967 stored.
12968
12969 @item -
12970 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12971 precedence as @code{++}.
12972
12973 @item !
12974 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12975 @code{++}.
12976
12977 @item ~
12978 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12979 @code{++}.
12980
12981
12982 @item .@r{, }->
12983 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12984 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12985 pointer based on the stored type information.
12986 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12987
12988 @item .*@r{, }->*
12989 Dereferences of pointers to members.
12990
12991 @item []
12992 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
12993 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12994
12995 @item ()
12996 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12997
12998 @item ::
12999 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13000 and @code{class} types.
13001
13002 @item ::
13003 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13004 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13005 above.
13006 @end table
13007
13008 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13009 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13010 predefined meaning.
13011
13012 @node C Constants
13013 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13014
13015 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13016
13017 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13018 following ways:
13019
13020 @itemize @bullet
13021 @item
13022 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13023 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13024 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13025 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13026 @code{long} value.
13027
13028 @item
13029 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13030 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13031 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13032 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13033 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13034 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13035 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13036 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13037 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13038 constant.
13039
13040 @item
13041 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13042 integral equivalents.
13043
13044 @item
13045 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13046 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13047 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13048 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13049 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13050 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13051 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13052 @samp{\n} for newline.
13053
13054 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13055 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13056 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13057 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13058
13059 @item
13060 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13061 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13062 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13063 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13064 characters.
13065
13066 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13067 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13068 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13069
13070 @item
13071 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13072 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13073
13074 @item
13075 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13076 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13077 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13078 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13079 @end itemize
13080
13081 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13082 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13083
13084 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13085 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13086
13087 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13088 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13089 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13090 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13091 @quotation
13092 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13093 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13094 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13095 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13096 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13097 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13098 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13099 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13100 @end quotation
13101
13102 @enumerate
13103
13104 @cindex member functions
13105 @item
13106 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13107
13108 @smallexample
13109 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13110 @end smallexample
13111
13112 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13113 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13114 @item
13115 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13116 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13117 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13118 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13119 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13120
13121 @cindex call overloaded functions
13122 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13123 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13124 @item
13125 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13126 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13127 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13128 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13129 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13130 default arguments.
13131
13132 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13133 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13134 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13135 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13136 number of function arguments.
13137
13138 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13139 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13140 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13141
13142 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13143 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13144 @smallexample
13145 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13146 @end smallexample
13147
13148 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13149 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13150
13151 @cindex reference declarations
13152 @item
13153 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13154 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13155 dereferenced.
13156
13157 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13158 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13159 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13160 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13161 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13162
13163 @item
13164 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13165 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13166 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13167 necessary, for example in an expression like
13168 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13169 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13170 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13171
13172 @item
13173 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13174 specification.
13175 @end enumerate
13176
13177 @node C Defaults
13178 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13179
13180 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13181
13182 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
13183 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13184 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13185 selects the working language.
13186
13187 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13188 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13189 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13190 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13191 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13192 for further details.
13193
13194 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
13195 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
13196 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
13197
13198 @node C Checks
13199 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13200
13201 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13202
13203 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
13204 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
13205 considers two variables type equivalent if:
13206
13207 @itemize @bullet
13208 @item
13209 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
13210 enumerated tag.
13211
13212 @item
13213 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
13214 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
13215
13216 @ignore
13217 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
13218 @c FIXME--beers?
13219 @item
13220 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
13221 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
13222 compilers.)
13223 @end ignore
13224 @end itemize
13225
13226 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13227 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13228 that is not itself an array.
13229
13230 @node Debugging C
13231 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13232
13233 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13234 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13235 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13236 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13237
13238 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13239 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13240 ,Expressions}.
13241
13242 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13243 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13244
13245 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13246
13247 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13248 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13249
13250 @table @code
13251 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13252 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13253 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13254 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13255 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13256 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13257
13258 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13259 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13260 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13261 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13262 classes.
13263 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13264
13265 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13266 @item catch throw
13267 @itemx catch catch
13268 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13269 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13270
13271 @cindex inheritance
13272 @item ptype @var{typename}
13273 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13274 @var{typename}.
13275 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13276
13277 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13278 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13279 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13280 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13281 multiple inheritance is in use.
13282
13283 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13284 @item set print demangle
13285 @itemx show print demangle
13286 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13287 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13288 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13289 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13290 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13291
13292 @item set print object
13293 @itemx show print object
13294 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13295 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13296
13297 @item set print vtbl
13298 @itemx show print vtbl
13299 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13300 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13301 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13302 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13303
13304 @kindex set overload-resolution
13305 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13306 @item set overload-resolution on
13307 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13308 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13309 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13310 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13311 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13312 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13313
13314 @item set overload-resolution off
13315 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13316 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13317 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13318 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13319 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13320 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13321 argument types.
13322
13323 @kindex show overload-resolution
13324 @item show overload-resolution
13325 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13326
13327 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13328 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13329 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13330 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13331 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13332 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13333 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13334 @end table
13335
13336 @node Decimal Floating Point
13337 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13338 @cindex decimal floating point format
13339
13340 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13341 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13342 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13343 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13344
13345 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13346 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13347 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13348 target.
13349
13350 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13351 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13352 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13353
13354 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13355 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13356 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13357
13358 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13359 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13360 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13361
13362 @node D
13363 @subsection D
13364
13365 @cindex D
13366 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13367 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13368 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13369
13370 @node Go
13371 @subsection Go
13372
13373 @cindex Go (programming language)
13374 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13375 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13376
13377 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13378
13379 @table @code
13380 @cindex current Go package
13381 @item The current Go package
13382 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13383 specifying global variables and functions.
13384
13385 For example, given the program:
13386
13387 @example
13388 package main
13389 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13390 func main () @{
13391 // ...
13392 @}
13393 @end example
13394
13395 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13396
13397 @example
13398 (gdb) p myglob
13399 (gdb) p main.myglob
13400 @end example
13401
13402 @cindex builtin Go types
13403 @item Builtin Go types
13404 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13405 as a string.
13406
13407 @cindex builtin Go functions
13408 @item Builtin Go functions
13409 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13410 function and handles it internally.
13411
13412 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13413 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13414 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13415 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13416 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13417 @end table
13418
13419 @node Objective-C
13420 @subsection Objective-C
13421
13422 @cindex Objective-C
13423 This section provides information about some commands and command
13424 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13425 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13426 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13427
13428 @menu
13429 * Method Names in Commands::
13430 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13431 @end menu
13432
13433 @node Method Names in Commands
13434 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13435
13436 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13437 names as line specifications:
13438
13439 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13440 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13441 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13442 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13443 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13444 @itemize
13445 @item @code{clear}
13446 @item @code{break}
13447 @item @code{info line}
13448 @item @code{jump}
13449 @item @code{list}
13450 @end itemize
13451
13452 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13453
13454 @smallexample
13455 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13456 @end smallexample
13457
13458 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13459 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13460 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13461 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13462 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13463 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13464 debugged, enter:
13465
13466 @smallexample
13467 break -[Fruit create]
13468 @end smallexample
13469
13470 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13471 enter:
13472
13473 @smallexample
13474 list +[NSText initialize]
13475 @end smallexample
13476
13477 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13478 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13479 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13480 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13481
13482 @smallexample
13483 break create
13484 @end smallexample
13485
13486 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13487 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13488 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13489 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13490 none apply.
13491
13492 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13493 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13494
13495 @smallexample
13496 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13497 @end smallexample
13498
13499 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13500 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13501 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13502 @kindex print-object
13503 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13504
13505 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13506
13507 @smallexample
13508 print -[@var{object} hash]
13509 @end smallexample
13510
13511 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13512 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13513 @noindent
13514 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13515 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13516 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13517 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13518 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13519 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13520
13521 @node OpenCL C
13522 @subsection OpenCL C
13523
13524 @cindex OpenCL C
13525 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13526
13527 @menu
13528 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13529 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13530 * OpenCL C Operators::
13531 @end menu
13532
13533 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13534 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13535
13536 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13537 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13538 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13539 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13540 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13541
13542 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13543 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13544
13545 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13546 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13547 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13548 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13549
13550 @node OpenCL C Operators
13551 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13552
13553 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13554 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13555 vector data types.
13556
13557 @node Fortran
13558 @subsection Fortran
13559 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13560
13561 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13562 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13563
13564 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13565 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13566 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13567 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13568 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13569 underscore.
13570
13571 @menu
13572 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13573 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13574 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13575 @end menu
13576
13577 @node Fortran Operators
13578 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13579
13580 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13581
13582 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13583 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13584 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13585
13586 @table @code
13587 @item **
13588 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13589 of the second one.
13590
13591 @item :
13592 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13593 represent a section of array.
13594
13595 @item %
13596 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13597 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13598 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13599 union type.
13600 @end table
13601
13602 @node Fortran Defaults
13603 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13604
13605 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13606
13607 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13608 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13609 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13610 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13611
13612 @node Special Fortran Commands
13613 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13614
13615 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13616
13617 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13618 such as displaying common blocks.
13619
13620 @table @code
13621 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13622 @kindex info common
13623 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13624 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13625 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13626 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13627 printed.
13628 @end table
13629
13630 @node Pascal
13631 @subsection Pascal
13632
13633 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13634 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13635 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13636 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13637 syntax.
13638
13639 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13640 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13641 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13642
13643 @node Modula-2
13644 @subsection Modula-2
13645
13646 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13647
13648 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13649 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13650 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13651 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13652 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13653 table.
13654
13655 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13656 @menu
13657 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13658 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13659 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13660 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13661 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13662 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13663 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13664 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13665 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13666 @end menu
13667
13668 @node M2 Operators
13669 @subsubsection Operators
13670 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13671
13672 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13673 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13674 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13675 following definitions hold:
13676
13677 @itemize @bullet
13678
13679 @item
13680 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13681 their subranges.
13682
13683 @item
13684 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13685
13686 @item
13687 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13688
13689 @item
13690 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13691 @var{type}}.
13692
13693 @item
13694 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13695
13696 @item
13697 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13698
13699 @item
13700 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13701 @end itemize
13702
13703 @noindent
13704 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13705 increasing precedence:
13706
13707 @table @code
13708 @item ,
13709 Function argument or array index separator.
13710
13711 @item :=
13712 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13713 @var{value}.
13714
13715 @item <@r{, }>
13716 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13717 types.
13718
13719 @item <=@r{, }>=
13720 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13721 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13722 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13723
13724 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13725 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13726 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13727 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13728 comment character.
13729
13730 @item IN
13731 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13732 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13733
13734 @item OR
13735 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13736
13737 @item AND@r{, }&
13738 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13739
13740 @item @@
13741 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13742
13743 @item +@r{, }-
13744 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13745 and difference on set types.
13746
13747 @item *
13748 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13749 on set types.
13750
13751 @item /
13752 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13753 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13754
13755 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
13756 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13757 precedence as @code{*}.
13758
13759 @item -
13760 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13761
13762 @item ^
13763 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13764
13765 @item NOT
13766 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13767 @code{^}.
13768
13769 @item .
13770 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13771 precedence as @code{^}.
13772
13773 @item []
13774 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13775
13776 @item ()
13777 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13778 as @code{^}.
13779
13780 @item ::@r{, }.
13781 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13782 @end table
13783
13784 @quotation
13785 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13786 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13787 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13788 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13789 @end quotation
13790
13791
13792 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13793 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13794 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13795
13796 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13797 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13798
13799 @table @var
13800
13801 @item a
13802 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13803
13804 @item c
13805 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13806
13807 @item i
13808 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13809
13810 @item m
13811 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13812 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13813 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13814
13815 @item n
13816 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13817
13818 @item r
13819 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13820
13821 @item t
13822 represents a type.
13823
13824 @item v
13825 represents a variable.
13826
13827 @item x
13828 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13829 explanation of the function for details.
13830 @end table
13831
13832 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13833
13834 @table @code
13835 @item ABS(@var{n})
13836 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13837
13838 @item CAP(@var{c})
13839 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13840 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13841
13842 @item CHR(@var{i})
13843 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13844
13845 @item DEC(@var{v})
13846 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13847
13848 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13849 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13850 new value.
13851
13852 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13853 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13854 set.
13855
13856 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13857 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13858
13859 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13860 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13861
13862 @item INC(@var{v})
13863 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13864
13865 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13866 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13867 new value.
13868
13869 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13870 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13871 there. Returns the new set.
13872
13873 @item MAX(@var{t})
13874 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13875
13876 @item MIN(@var{t})
13877 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13878
13879 @item ODD(@var{i})
13880 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13881
13882 @item ORD(@var{x})
13883 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13884 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13885 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13886 integral, character and enumerated types.
13887
13888 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13889 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13890
13891 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13892 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13893
13894 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13895 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13896
13897 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13898 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13899 @end table
13900
13901 @quotation
13902 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13903 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13904 an error.
13905 @end quotation
13906
13907 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13908 @node M2 Constants
13909 @subsubsection Constants
13910
13911 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13912 ways:
13913
13914 @itemize @bullet
13915
13916 @item
13917 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13918 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13919 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13920 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13921
13922 @item
13923 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13924 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13925 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13926 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13927 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13928 digits.
13929
13930 @item
13931 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13932 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13933 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13934 followed by a @samp{C}.
13935
13936 @item
13937 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13938 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13939 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13940 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13941 sequences.
13942
13943 @item
13944 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13945
13946 @item
13947 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13948 @code{FALSE}.
13949
13950 @item
13951 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13952
13953 @item
13954 Set constants are not yet supported.
13955 @end itemize
13956
13957 @node M2 Types
13958 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13959 @cindex Modula-2 types
13960
13961 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13962 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13963 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13964 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13965 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13966 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13967
13968 The first example contains the following section of code:
13969
13970 @smallexample
13971 VAR
13972 s: SET OF CHAR ;
13973 r: [20..40] ;
13974 @end smallexample
13975
13976 @noindent
13977 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13978 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13979
13980 @smallexample
13981 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13982 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
13983 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13984 SET OF CHAR
13985 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13986 21
13987 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13988 [20..40]
13989 @end smallexample
13990
13991 @noindent
13992 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13993
13994 @smallexample
13995 VAR
13996 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
13997 @end smallexample
13998
13999 @noindent
14000 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14001
14002 @smallexample
14003 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14004 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14005 @end smallexample
14006
14007 @noindent
14008 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14009 expressions using the debugger.
14010
14011 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14012 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14013
14014 @smallexample
14015 VAR
14016 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14017 @end smallexample
14018
14019 @smallexample
14020 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14021 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14022 @end smallexample
14023
14024 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14025 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14026 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14027 above.
14028
14029 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14030
14031 @smallexample
14032 TYPE
14033 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14034 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14035 VAR
14036 s: t ;
14037 BEGIN
14038 s := blue ;
14039 @end smallexample
14040
14041 @noindent
14042 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14043 and value of a variable.
14044
14045 @smallexample
14046 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14047 $1 = blue
14048 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14049 type = [blue..yellow]
14050 @end smallexample
14051
14052 @noindent
14053 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14054 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14055 their @code{C} counterparts.
14056
14057 @smallexample
14058 VAR
14059 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14060 BEGIN
14061 s[1] := 1 ;
14062 @end smallexample
14063
14064 @smallexample
14065 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14066 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14067 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14068 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14069 @end smallexample
14070
14071 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14072 pointer types as shown in this example:
14073
14074 @smallexample
14075 VAR
14076 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14077 BEGIN
14078 NEW(s) ;
14079 s^[1] := 1 ;
14080 @end smallexample
14081
14082 @noindent
14083 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14084
14085 @smallexample
14086 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14087 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14088 @end smallexample
14089
14090 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14091 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14092 types:
14093
14094 @smallexample
14095 TYPE
14096 foo = RECORD
14097 f1: CARDINAL ;
14098 f2: CHAR ;
14099 f3: myarray ;
14100 END ;
14101
14102 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14103 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14104 VAR
14105 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14106 @end smallexample
14107
14108 @noindent
14109 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14110 below.
14111
14112 @smallexample
14113 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14114 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14115 f1 : CARDINAL;
14116 f2 : CHAR;
14117 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14118 END
14119 @end smallexample
14120
14121 @node M2 Defaults
14122 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14123 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14124
14125 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14126 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14127 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14128 selected the working language.
14129
14130 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14131 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14132 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14133 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14134
14135 @node Deviations
14136 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14137 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14138
14139 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14140 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14141
14142 @itemize @bullet
14143 @item
14144 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14145 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14146 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14147 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14148 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14149 returned a pointer.)
14150
14151 @item
14152 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14153 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14154 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14155 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14156
14157 @item
14158 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14159 argument.
14160
14161 @item
14162 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14163 @end itemize
14164
14165 @node M2 Checks
14166 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14167 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14168
14169 @quotation
14170 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14171 range checking.
14172 @end quotation
14173 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14174
14175 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14176
14177 @itemize @bullet
14178 @item
14179 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14180 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14181
14182 @item
14183 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14184 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14185 @end itemize
14186
14187 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14188 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14189
14190 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14191 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14192
14193 @node M2 Scope
14194 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14195 @cindex scope
14196 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14197 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14198 @ifinfo
14199 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14200 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14201 @end ifinfo
14202 @ifnotinfo
14203 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14204 @end ifnotinfo
14205
14206 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14207 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14208 similar syntax:
14209
14210 @smallexample
14211
14212 @var{module} . @var{id}
14213 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14214 @end smallexample
14215
14216 @noindent
14217 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14218 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14219 identifier within your program, except another module.
14220
14221 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14222 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14223 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14224 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14225
14226 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14227 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14228 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14229 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14230 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14231 @var{module}.
14232
14233 @node GDB/M2
14234 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14235
14236 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14237 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14238 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14239 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14240 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14241 analogue in Modula-2.
14242
14243 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14244 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14245 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14246 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14247 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14248 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14249
14250 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14251 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14252 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14253
14254 @node Ada
14255 @subsection Ada
14256 @cindex Ada
14257
14258 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14259 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14260 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14261 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14262 to be difficult.
14263
14264
14265 @cindex expressions in Ada
14266 @menu
14267 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14268 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14269 in @value{GDBN}.
14270 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14271 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14272 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14273 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14274 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14275 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14276 Profile
14277 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14278 @end menu
14279
14280 @node Ada Mode Intro
14281 @subsubsection Introduction
14282 @cindex Ada mode, general
14283
14284 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14285 syntax, with some extensions.
14286 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14287
14288 @itemize @bullet
14289 @item
14290 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14291 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14292 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14293 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14294
14295 @item
14296 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14297 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14298
14299 @item
14300 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14301 @end itemize
14302
14303 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14304 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14305 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14306 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14307 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14308
14309 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14310 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14311 was translated from an Ada source file.
14312
14313 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14314 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14315 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14316 middle (to allow based literals).
14317
14318 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14319 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14320 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14321 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14322 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14323 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14324
14325 @node Omissions from Ada
14326 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14327 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14328
14329 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14330
14331 @itemize @bullet
14332 @item
14333 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14334
14335 @itemize @minus
14336 @item
14337 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14338 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14339
14340 @item
14341 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14342
14343 @item
14344 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14345
14346 @item
14347 @t{'Tag}.
14348
14349 @item
14350 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14351 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14352
14353 @item
14354 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14355 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14356
14357 @item
14358 @t{'Address}.
14359 @end itemize
14360
14361 @item
14362 The names in
14363 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14364 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14365 not currently available.
14366
14367 @item
14368 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14369 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14370 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14371 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14372 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14373 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14374 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14375 indeterminate values.
14376
14377 @item
14378 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14379 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14380 are not implemented.
14381
14382 @item
14383 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14384 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14385 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14386 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14387 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14388
14389 @smallexample
14390 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14391 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14392 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14393 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14394 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14395 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14396 @end smallexample
14397
14398 Changing a
14399 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14400 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14401 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14402 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14403 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14404 declared to have a type such as:
14405
14406 @smallexample
14407 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14408 Id : Integer;
14409 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14410 end record;
14411 @end smallexample
14412
14413 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14414 assignments:
14415
14416 @smallexample
14417 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14418 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14419 @end smallexample
14420
14421 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14422 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14423 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14424 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14425 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14426 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14427 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14428 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14429
14430 @item
14431 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14432
14433 @item
14434 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14435 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14436 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14437 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14438 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14439 the proper resolution.
14440
14441 @item
14442 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14443
14444 @item
14445 Entry calls are not implemented.
14446
14447 @item
14448 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14449 formats are not supported.
14450
14451 @item
14452 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14453
14454 @item
14455 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14456 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14457 context.
14458 Should your program
14459 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14460 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14461 @end itemize
14462
14463 @node Additions to Ada
14464 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14465 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14466
14467 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14468 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14469
14470 @itemize @bullet
14471 @item
14472 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14473 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14474 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14475 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14476 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14477 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14478 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14479 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14480
14481 @item
14482 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14483 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14484 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14485
14486 @item
14487 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14488 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14489
14490 @item
14491 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14492 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14493 @end itemize
14494
14495 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14496 additions specific to Ada:
14497
14498 @itemize @bullet
14499 @item
14500 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14501 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14502
14503 @smallexample
14504 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14505 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14506 @end smallexample
14507
14508 @item
14509 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14510 the value of its right-hand operand.
14511 This allows, for example,
14512 complex conditional breaks:
14513
14514 @smallexample
14515 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14516 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14517 @end smallexample
14518
14519 @item
14520 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14521 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14522 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14523 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14524 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14525 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14526 in strings. For example,
14527 @smallexample
14528 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14529 @end smallexample
14530 @noindent
14531 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14532 after each period.
14533
14534 @item
14535 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14536 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14537 to write
14538
14539 @smallexample
14540 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14541 @end smallexample
14542
14543 @item
14544 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14545 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14546 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14547 of 3 might print as
14548
14549 @smallexample
14550 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14551 @end smallexample
14552
14553 @noindent
14554 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14555 clause.
14556
14557 @item
14558 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14559 multi-character subsequence of
14560 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14561 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14562 in place of @t{a'length}.
14563
14564 @item
14565 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14566 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14567 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14568 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14569 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14570 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14571 For example,
14572 @smallexample
14573 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14574 @end smallexample
14575
14576 @item
14577 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14578 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14579 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14580 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14581 object.
14582
14583 @end itemize
14584
14585 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14586 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14587
14588 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14589 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14590 before reaching the main procedure.
14591 As defined in the Ada Reference
14592 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14593 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14594 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14595 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14596
14597 @node Ada Tasks
14598 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14599 @cindex Ada, tasking
14600
14601 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14602 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14603
14604 @table @code
14605 @kindex info tasks
14606 @item info tasks
14607 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14608
14609
14610 @smallexample
14611 @iftex
14612 @leftskip=0.5cm
14613 @end iftex
14614 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14615 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14616 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14617 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14618 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14619 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14620
14621 @end smallexample
14622
14623 @noindent
14624 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14625 task currently being inspected.
14626
14627 @table @asis
14628 @item ID
14629 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14630
14631 @item TID
14632 The Ada task ID.
14633
14634 @item P-ID
14635 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14636
14637 @item Pri
14638 The base priority of the task.
14639
14640 @item State
14641 Current state of the task.
14642
14643 @table @code
14644 @item Unactivated
14645 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14646 executing.
14647
14648 @item Runnable
14649 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14650 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14651
14652 @item Terminated
14653 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14654 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14655 terminated themselves.
14656
14657 @item Child Activation Wait
14658 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14659
14660 @item Accept Statement
14661 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14662
14663 @item Waiting on entry call
14664 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14665
14666 @item Async Select Wait
14667 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14668 select statement.
14669
14670 @item Delay Sleep
14671 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14672 alternative open.
14673
14674 @item Child Termination Wait
14675 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14676 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14677 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14678
14679 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14680 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14681 finish terminating.
14682
14683 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14684 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14685 @end table
14686
14687 @item Name
14688 Name of the task in the program.
14689
14690 @end table
14691
14692 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14693 @item info task @var{taskno}
14694 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14695 the following example:
14696 @smallexample
14697 @iftex
14698 @leftskip=0.5cm
14699 @end iftex
14700 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14701 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14702 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14703 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14704 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14705 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14706 Name: task_1
14707 Thread: 0x807f378
14708 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14709 Base Priority: 15
14710 State: Runnable
14711 @end smallexample
14712
14713 @item task
14714 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14715 @cindex current Ada task ID
14716 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14717
14718 @smallexample
14719 @iftex
14720 @leftskip=0.5cm
14721 @end iftex
14722 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14723 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14724 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14725 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14726 (@value{GDBP}) task
14727 [Current task is 2]
14728 @end smallexample
14729
14730 @item task @var{taskno}
14731 @cindex Ada task switching
14732 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14733 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14734 from the current task to the given task.
14735
14736 @smallexample
14737 @iftex
14738 @leftskip=0.5cm
14739 @end iftex
14740 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14741 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14742 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14743 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14744 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14745 [Switching to task 1]
14746 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14747 (@value{GDBP}) bt
14748 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14749 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14750 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14751 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14752 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14753 @end smallexample
14754
14755 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14756 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14757 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14758 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14759 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14760 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14761 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14762 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14763 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14764
14765 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14766 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14767 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14768 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14769 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14770
14771 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14772 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14773 program.
14774
14775 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14776 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14777 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14778
14779 For example,
14780
14781 @smallexample
14782 @iftex
14783 @leftskip=0.5cm
14784 @end iftex
14785 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14786 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14787 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14788 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14789 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14790 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14791 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14792 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14793 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14794 Continuing.
14795 task # 1 running
14796 task # 2 running
14797
14798 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14799 15 flush;
14800 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14801 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14802 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14803 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14804 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14805 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14806 @end smallexample
14807 @end table
14808
14809 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14810 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14811 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14812
14813 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14814 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14815 the platform being used.
14816 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14817 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14818 as usual.
14819
14820 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14821 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14822 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14823 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14824 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14825 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14826
14827 @node Ravenscar Profile
14828 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14829 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14830
14831 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14832 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14833 requirements.
14834
14835 @table @code
14836 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14837 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14838 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14839 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14840 Profile. This is the default.
14841
14842 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14843 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14844 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14845 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14846 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14847 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14848 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14849
14850 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14851 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14852 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14853 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14854
14855 @end table
14856
14857 @node Ada Glitches
14858 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14859 @cindex Ada, problems
14860
14861 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14862 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14863 @value{GDBN},
14864 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14865 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14866
14867 @itemize @bullet
14868 @item
14869 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14870 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14871
14872 @item
14873 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14874 argument lists are treated as positional).
14875
14876 @item
14877 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14878
14879 @item
14880 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14881 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14882 the host machine.
14883
14884 @item
14885 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14886 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14887 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14888 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14889 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14890 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14891 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14892 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14893 you can usually resolve the confusion
14894 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14895 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14896 @end itemize
14897
14898 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14899 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14900 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14901 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14902 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14903 enabled.
14904
14905 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14906 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14907 @table @code
14908
14909 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14910 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14911 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14912 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14913 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14914 This is the default.
14915
14916 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14917 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14918 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14919 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14920 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14921 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14922 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14923
14924 @end table
14925
14926 @node Unsupported Languages
14927 @section Unsupported Languages
14928
14929 @cindex unsupported languages
14930 @cindex minimal language
14931 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14932 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14933 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14934 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14935 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14936 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14937
14938 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14939 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14940 language.
14941
14942 @node Symbols
14943 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14944
14945 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14946 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14947 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14948 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14949 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14950 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14951 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14952
14953 @cindex symbol names
14954 @cindex names of symbols
14955 @cindex quoting names
14956 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14957 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14958 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14959 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14960 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14961 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14962 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14963 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14964
14965 @smallexample
14966 p 'foo.c'::x
14967 @end smallexample
14968
14969 @noindent
14970 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14971
14972 @table @code
14973 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14974 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14975 @kindex set case-sensitive
14976 @item set case-sensitive on
14977 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14978 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14979 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14980 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14981 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14982 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14983 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14984 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14985 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14986 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14987 case-insensitive matches.
14988
14989 @kindex show case-sensitive
14990 @item show case-sensitive
14991 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14992 lookups.
14993
14994 @kindex info address
14995 @cindex address of a symbol
14996 @item info address @var{symbol}
14997 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14998 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
14999 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15000 is always stored.
15001
15002 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15003 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15004 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15005
15006 @kindex info symbol
15007 @cindex symbol from address
15008 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15009 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15010 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15011 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15012 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15013
15014 @smallexample
15015 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15016 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15017 @end smallexample
15018
15019 @noindent
15020 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15021 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15022
15023 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15024 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15025
15026 @smallexample
15027 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15028 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15029 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15030 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15031 @end smallexample
15032
15033 @kindex whatis
15034 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
15035 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15036 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15037 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15038
15039 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15040 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15041 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15042
15043 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15044 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15045 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15046 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15047 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15048 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15049 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15050 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15051 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15052
15053 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15054 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15055 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15056 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15057 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15058 unroll it.
15059
15060 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15061 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15062 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15063
15064 @kindex ptype
15065 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
15066 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15067 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15068 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15069
15070 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15071 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15072 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15073 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15074 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15075 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15076 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15077 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15078
15079 For example, for this variable declaration:
15080
15081 @smallexample
15082 typedef double real_t;
15083 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15084 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15085 complex_t var;
15086 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15087 @end smallexample
15088
15089 @noindent
15090 the two commands give this output:
15091
15092 @smallexample
15093 @group
15094 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15095 type = complex_t
15096 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15097 type = struct complex @{
15098 real_t real;
15099 double imag;
15100 @}
15101 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15102 type = struct complex
15103 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15104 type = struct complex
15105 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15106 type = struct complex @{
15107 real_t real;
15108 double imag;
15109 @}
15110 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15111 type = real_t *
15112 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15113 type = double *
15114 @end group
15115 @end smallexample
15116
15117 @noindent
15118 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15119 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15120
15121 @cindex incomplete type
15122 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15123 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15124 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15125 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15126 given these declarations:
15127
15128 @smallexample
15129 struct foo;
15130 struct foo *fooptr;
15131 @end smallexample
15132
15133 @noindent
15134 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15135
15136 @smallexample
15137 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15138 $1 = <incomplete type>
15139 @end smallexample
15140
15141 @noindent
15142 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15143 completely specified.
15144
15145 @kindex info types
15146 @item info types @var{regexp}
15147 @itemx info types
15148 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15149 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15150 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15151 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15152 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15153 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15154 name is @code{value}.
15155
15156 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15157 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15158 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15159
15160 @kindex info scope
15161 @cindex local variables
15162 @item info scope @var{location}
15163 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15164 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15165 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15166 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15167 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15168
15169 @smallexample
15170 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15171 Scope for command_line_handler:
15172 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15173 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15174 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15175 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15176 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15177 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15178 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15179 @end smallexample
15180
15181 @noindent
15182 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15183 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15184 collect}.
15185
15186 @kindex info source
15187 @item info source
15188 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15189 the function containing the current point of execution:
15190 @itemize @bullet
15191 @item
15192 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15193 @item
15194 the directory it was compiled in,
15195 @item
15196 its length, in lines,
15197 @item
15198 which programming language it is written in,
15199 @item
15200 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15201 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15202 @item
15203 whether the debugging information includes information about
15204 preprocessor macros.
15205 @end itemize
15206
15207
15208 @kindex info sources
15209 @item info sources
15210 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15211 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15212 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15213
15214 @kindex info functions
15215 @item info functions
15216 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15217
15218 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15219 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15220 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15221 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15222 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15223 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15224 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15225 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15226
15227 @kindex info variables
15228 @item info variables
15229 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15230 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15231
15232 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15233 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15234 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15235 @var{regexp}.
15236
15237 @kindex info classes
15238 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15239 @item info classes
15240 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15241 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15242 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15243 expression.
15244
15245 @kindex info selectors
15246 @item info selectors
15247 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15248 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15249 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15250 expression.
15251
15252 @ignore
15253 This was never implemented.
15254 @kindex info methods
15255 @item info methods
15256 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15257 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15258 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15259 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15260 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15261 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15262 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15263 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15264 @end ignore
15265
15266 @cindex opaque data types
15267 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15268 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15269 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15270 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15271 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15272 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15273 another source file. The default is on.
15274
15275 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15276 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15277
15278 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15279 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15280 is printed as follows:
15281 @smallexample
15282 @{<no data fields>@}
15283 @end smallexample
15284
15285 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15286 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15287 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15288
15289 @kindex maint print symbols
15290 @cindex symbol dump
15291 @kindex maint print psymbols
15292 @cindex partial symbol dump
15293 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15294 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15295 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15296 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15297 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15298 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15299 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15300 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15301 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15302 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15303 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15304 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15305 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15306 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15307 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15308 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15309 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15310
15311 @kindex maint info symtabs
15312 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15313 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15314 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15315 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15316 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15317 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15318 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15319
15320 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15321 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15322 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15323 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15324 structure in more detail. For example:
15325
15326 @smallexample
15327 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15328 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15329 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15330 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15331 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15332 readin no
15333 fullname (null)
15334 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15335 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15336 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15337 dependencies (none)
15338 @}
15339 @}
15340 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15341 (@value{GDBP})
15342 @end smallexample
15343 @noindent
15344 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15345 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15346 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15347 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15348 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15349
15350 @smallexample
15351 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15352 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15353 line 1574.
15354 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15355 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15356 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15357 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15358 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15359 dirname (null)
15360 fullname (null)
15361 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15362 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15363 debugformat DWARF 2
15364 @}
15365 @}
15366 (@value{GDBP})
15367 @end smallexample
15368 @end table
15369
15370
15371 @node Altering
15372 @chapter Altering Execution
15373
15374 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15375 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15376 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15377 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15378 program.
15379
15380 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15381 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15382 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15383
15384 @menu
15385 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15386 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15387 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15388 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15389 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15390 * Patching:: Patching your program
15391 @end menu
15392
15393 @node Assignment
15394 @section Assignment to Variables
15395
15396 @cindex assignment
15397 @cindex setting variables
15398 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15399 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15400
15401 @smallexample
15402 print x=4
15403 @end smallexample
15404
15405 @noindent
15406 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15407 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15408 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15409 information on operators in supported languages.
15410
15411 @kindex set variable
15412 @cindex variables, setting
15413 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15414 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15415 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15416 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15417 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15418
15419 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15420 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15421 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15422 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15423 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15424 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15425 command @code{set width}:
15426
15427 @smallexample
15428 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15429 type = double
15430 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15431 $4 = 13
15432 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15433 Invalid syntax in expression.
15434 @end smallexample
15435
15436 @noindent
15437 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15438 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15439
15440 @smallexample
15441 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15442 @end smallexample
15443
15444 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15445 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15446 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15447 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15448 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15449 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15450
15451 @smallexample
15452 @group
15453 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15454 type = double
15455 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15456 $1 = 1
15457 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15458 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15459 $2 = 1
15460 (@value{GDBP}) r
15461 The program being debugged has been started already.
15462 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15463 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15464 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15465 Invalid bfd target.
15466 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15467 The current BFD target is "=4".
15468 @end group
15469 @end smallexample
15470
15471 @noindent
15472 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15473 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15474 @code{g}, use
15475
15476 @smallexample
15477 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15478 @end smallexample
15479
15480 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15481 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15482 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15483 same length or shorter.
15484 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15485 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15486
15487 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15488 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15489 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15490 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15491 and representation in memory), and
15492
15493 @smallexample
15494 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15495 @end smallexample
15496
15497 @noindent
15498 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15499
15500 @node Jumping
15501 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15502
15503 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15504 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15505 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15506
15507 @table @code
15508 @kindex jump
15509 @item jump @var{linespec}
15510 @itemx jump @var{location}
15511 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15512 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15513 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15514 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15515 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15516 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15517
15518 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15519 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15520 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15521 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15522 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15523 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15524 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15525 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15526 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15527 @end table
15528
15529 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15530 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15531 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15532 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15533 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15534 example,
15535
15536 @smallexample
15537 set $pc = 0x485
15538 @end smallexample
15539
15540 @noindent
15541 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15542 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15543 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15544
15545 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15546 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15547 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15548 detail.
15549
15550 @c @group
15551 @node Signaling
15552 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15553 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15554
15555 @table @code
15556 @kindex signal
15557 @item signal @var{signal}
15558 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15559 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15560 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15561 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15562
15563 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15564 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15565 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
15566 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15567 signal.
15568
15569 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15570 after executing the command.
15571 @end table
15572 @c @end group
15573
15574 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15575 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15576 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15577 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15578 passes the signal directly to your program.
15579
15580
15581 @node Returning
15582 @section Returning from a Function
15583
15584 @table @code
15585 @cindex returning from a function
15586 @kindex return
15587 @item return
15588 @itemx return @var{expression}
15589 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15590 command. If you give an
15591 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15592 value.
15593 @end table
15594
15595 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15596 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15597 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15598 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15599
15600 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15601 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15602 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15603 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15604 of functions.
15605
15606 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15607 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15608 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15609 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15610 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15611
15612 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15613 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15614 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15615 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15616 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15617 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15618 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15619 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15620 assignment into the right register(s).
15621
15622 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15623 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15624 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15625 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15626 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15627 into a @code{long long int}:
15628
15629 @smallexample
15630 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15631 29 return 31;
15632 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15633 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15634 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15635 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15636 (@value{GDBP})
15637 @end smallexample
15638
15639 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15640 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15641 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15642 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15643 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15644 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15645 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15646 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15647
15648 @smallexample
15649 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15650 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15651 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15652 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15653 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15654 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15655 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15656 (@value{GDBP})
15657 @end smallexample
15658
15659 @node Calling
15660 @section Calling Program Functions
15661
15662 @table @code
15663 @cindex calling functions
15664 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15665 @item print @var{expr}
15666 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15667 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15668 debugged.
15669
15670 @kindex call
15671 @item call @var{expr}
15672 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15673 returned values.
15674
15675 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15676 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15677 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15678 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15679 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15680 value history.
15681 @end table
15682
15683 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15684 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15685 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15686 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15687
15688 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15689 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15690 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15691 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15692 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15693 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15694 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15695 in that case is controlled by the
15696 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15697
15698 @table @code
15699 @item set unwindonsignal
15700 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15701 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15702 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15703 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15704 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15705 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15706 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15707 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15708 received.
15709
15710 @item show unwindonsignal
15711 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15712 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15713 @value{GDBN}.
15714
15715 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15716 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15717 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15718 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15719 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15720 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15721 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15722 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15723 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15724 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15725
15726 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15727 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15728 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15729 @value{GDBN}.
15730
15731 @end table
15732
15733 @cindex weak alias functions
15734 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15735 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15736 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15737 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15738 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15739 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15740 function instead.
15741
15742 @node Patching
15743 @section Patching Programs
15744
15745 @cindex patching binaries
15746 @cindex writing into executables
15747 @cindex writing into corefiles
15748
15749 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15750 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15751 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15752 patching your program's binary.
15753
15754 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15755 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15756 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15757 repairs.
15758
15759 @table @code
15760 @kindex set write
15761 @item set write on
15762 @itemx set write off
15763 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15764 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15765 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15766
15767 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15768 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15769 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15770
15771 @item show write
15772 @kindex show write
15773 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15774 as well as reading.
15775 @end table
15776
15777 @node GDB Files
15778 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15779
15780 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15781 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15782 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15783 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15784
15785 @menu
15786 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15787 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15788 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15789 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15790 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15791 @end menu
15792
15793 @node Files
15794 @section Commands to Specify Files
15795
15796 @cindex symbol table
15797 @cindex core dump file
15798
15799 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15800 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15801 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15802 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15803
15804 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15805 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15806 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15807 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15808 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15809 new files are useful.
15810
15811 @table @code
15812 @cindex executable file
15813 @kindex file
15814 @item file @var{filename}
15815 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15816 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15817 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15818 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15819 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15820 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15821 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15822 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15823
15824 @cindex unlinked object files
15825 @cindex patching object files
15826 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15827 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15828 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15829 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15830 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15831 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15832 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15833 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15834
15835 @item file
15836 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15837 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15838
15839 @kindex exec-file
15840 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15841 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15842 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15843 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15844 discard information on the executable file.
15845
15846 @kindex symbol-file
15847 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15848 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15849 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15850 table and program to run from the same file.
15851
15852 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15853 program's symbol table.
15854
15855 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15856 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15857 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15858 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15859 @value{GDBN}.
15860
15861 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15862 executing it once.
15863
15864 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15865 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15866 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15867 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15868 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15869 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15870 optimized code.
15871
15872 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15873 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15874 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15875 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15876 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15877
15878 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15879 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15880 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15881 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15882 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15883 Warnings and Messages}.)
15884
15885 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15886 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15887 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15888 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15889 in stabs format.
15890
15891 @kindex readnow
15892 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15893 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15894 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15895 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15896 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15897 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15898 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15899 entire symbol table available.
15900
15901 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15902 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15903 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15904 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15905 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15906 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15907 @c files.
15908
15909 @kindex core-file
15910 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15911 @itemx core
15912 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15913 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15914 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15915 executable file itself for other parts.
15916
15917 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15918 to be used.
15919
15920 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15921 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15922 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15923 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15924 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15925
15926 @kindex add-symbol-file
15927 @cindex dynamic linking
15928 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15929 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15930 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15931 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15932 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15933 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15934 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15935 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15936 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15937 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15938 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15939 @var{address} as an expression.
15940
15941 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15942 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15943 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15944 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15945 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15946
15947 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15948 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15949 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15950 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15951 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15952 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15953 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15954 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15955 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15956
15957 @itemize @bullet
15958 @item
15959 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15960 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15961 @item
15962 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15963 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15964 @item
15965 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15966 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15967 @end itemize
15968
15969 @noindent
15970 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15971 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15972 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15973 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15974 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15975 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15976 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15977 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15978 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15979 way.
15980
15981 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15982
15983 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15984 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15985 @cindex load symbols from memory
15986 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15987 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15988 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15989 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15990 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15991 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15992 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15993 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15994 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15995
15996 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15997 @kindex assf
15998 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
15999 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16000 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16001 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16002 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16003 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16004 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16005 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16006 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16007 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16008
16009 @kindex section
16010 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16011 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16012 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16013 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16014 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16015 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16016 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16017 their addresses.
16018
16019 @kindex info files
16020 @kindex info target
16021 @item info files
16022 @itemx info target
16023 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16024 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16025 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16026 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16027 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16028 current ones.
16029
16030 @kindex maint info sections
16031 @item maint info sections
16032 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16033 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16034 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16035 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16036 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16037 may be arbitrarily combined):
16038
16039 @table @code
16040 @item ALLOBJ
16041 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16042 @item @var{sections}
16043 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16044 @item @var{section-flags}
16045 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16046 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16047 @table @code
16048 @item ALLOC
16049 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16050 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16051 @item LOAD
16052 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16053 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16054 @item RELOC
16055 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16056 @item READONLY
16057 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16058 @item CODE
16059 Section contains executable code only.
16060 @item DATA
16061 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16062 @item ROM
16063 Section will reside in ROM.
16064 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16065 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16066 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16067 Section is not empty.
16068 @item NEVER_LOAD
16069 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16070 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16071 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16072 COFF shared library information.
16073 @item IS_COMMON
16074 Section contains common symbols.
16075 @end table
16076 @end table
16077 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16078 @cindex read-only sections
16079 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16080 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16081 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16082 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16083 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16084 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16085 enhancement to debugging performance.
16086
16087 The default is off.
16088
16089 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16090 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16091 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16092 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16093
16094 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16095 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16096 @end table
16097
16098 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16099 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16100 name and remembers it that way.
16101
16102 @cindex shared libraries
16103 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16104 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16105 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16106
16107 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16108 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16109
16110 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16111 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16112 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16113 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16114 debugging a core file).
16115
16116 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16117 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16118
16119 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16120 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16121 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16122
16123 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16124 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16125 particularly large or there are many of them.
16126
16127 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16128 commands:
16129
16130 @table @code
16131 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16132 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16133 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16134 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16135 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16136 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16137 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16138 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16139
16140 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16141 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16142 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16143 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16144 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16145 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16146 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16147 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16148 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16149
16150 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16151 @item show auto-solib-add
16152 Display the current autoloading mode.
16153 @end table
16154
16155 @cindex load shared library
16156 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16157 command:
16158
16159 @table @code
16160 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16161 @kindex info share
16162 @item info share @var{regex}
16163 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16164 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16165 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16166 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16167
16168 @kindex sharedlibrary
16169 @kindex share
16170 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16171 @itemx share @var{regex}
16172 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16173 Unix regular expression.
16174 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16175 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16176 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16177 loaded.
16178
16179 @item nosharedlibrary
16180 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16181 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16182 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16183 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16184 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16185 discarded.
16186 @end table
16187
16188 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16189 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16190 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16191 Catchpoints}).
16192
16193 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16194 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16195 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16196 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16197
16198 @table @code
16199 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16200 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16201 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16202 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16203 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16204 shared library.
16205
16206 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16207 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16208 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16209 library events happen.
16210 @end table
16211
16212 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16213 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16214 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16215 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16216 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16217 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16218 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16219 not.
16220
16221 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16222 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16223 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16224 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16225 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16226
16227 @table @code
16228 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16229 @cindex system root, alternate
16230 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16231 @kindex set sysroot
16232 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16233 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16234 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16235 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16236 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16237 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16238 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16239 under @var{path}.
16240
16241 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16242 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16243 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16244 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16245 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16246 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16247 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16248 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16249 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16250
16251 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16252 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16253 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16254 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16255 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16256
16257 @smallexample
16258 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16259 @end smallexample
16260
16261 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16262 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16263 system:
16264
16265 @smallexample
16266 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16267 @end smallexample
16268
16269 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16270 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16271 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16272 colons:
16273
16274 @smallexample
16275 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16276 @end smallexample
16277
16278 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16279 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16280 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16281 @samp{z}):
16282
16283 @smallexample
16284 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16285 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16286 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16287 @end smallexample
16288
16289 @noindent
16290 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16291 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16292 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16293
16294 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16295 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16296
16297 @smallexample
16298 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16299 @end smallexample
16300
16301 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16302 if you don't want or need to.
16303
16304 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16305 sysroot}.
16306
16307 @cindex default system root
16308 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16309 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16310 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16311 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16312 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16313 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16314 location.
16315
16316 @kindex show sysroot
16317 @item show sysroot
16318 Display the current shared library prefix.
16319
16320 @kindex set solib-search-path
16321 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16322 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16323 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16324 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16325 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16326 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16327 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16328 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16329 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16330 of shared library symbols.
16331
16332 @kindex show solib-search-path
16333 @item show solib-search-path
16334 Display the current shared library search path.
16335
16336 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16337 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16338 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16339 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16340 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16341
16342 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16343 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16344 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16345 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16346 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16347 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16348 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16349 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16350 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16351 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16352 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16353 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16354 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16355 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16356 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16357 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16358 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16359 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16360 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16361 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16362 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16363 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16364
16365 @table @code
16366 @item unix
16367 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16368 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16369 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16370 the forward slash.
16371
16372 @item dos-based
16373 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16374 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16375 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16376 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16377 considered directory separators.
16378
16379 @item auto
16380 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16381 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16382 This is the default.
16383 @end table
16384 @end table
16385
16386 @cindex file name canonicalization
16387 @cindex base name differences
16388 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16389 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16390 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16391 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16392 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16393 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16394 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16395 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16396 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16397 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16398 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16399 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16400 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16401 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16402 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16403
16404 @table @code
16405 @item set basenames-may-differ
16406 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16407 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16408
16409 @item show basenames-may-differ
16410 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16411 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16412 @end table
16413
16414 @node Separate Debug Files
16415 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16416 @cindex separate debugging information files
16417 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16418 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16419 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16420 @cindex global debugging information directories
16421 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16422 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16423
16424 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16425 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16426 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16427 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16428 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16429 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16430 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16431
16432 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16433 file:
16434
16435 @itemize @bullet
16436 @item
16437 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16438 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16439 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16440 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16441 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16442 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16443 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16444 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16445
16446 @item
16447 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16448 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16449 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16450 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16451 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16452 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16453 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16454 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16455 below.
16456 @end itemize
16457
16458 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16459 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16460
16461 @itemize @bullet
16462 @item
16463 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16464 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16465 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16466 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16467 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16468
16469 @item
16470 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16471 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16472 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16473 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16474 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16475 hex characters, not 10.)
16476 @end itemize
16477
16478 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16479 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16480 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16481 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16482 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16483 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16484
16485 @itemize @minus
16486 @item
16487 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16488 @item
16489 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16490 @item
16491 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16492 @item
16493 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16494 @end itemize
16495
16496 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16497 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16498 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16499 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16500 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16501
16502 @table @code
16503
16504 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16505 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16506 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16507 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16508 concatenating them by a path separator.
16509
16510 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16511 @item show debug-file-directory
16512 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16513 information files.
16514
16515 @end table
16516
16517 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16518 @cindex debug link sections
16519 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16520 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16521
16522 @itemize
16523 @item
16524 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16525 a zero byte,
16526 @item
16527 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16528 boundary within the section, and
16529 @item
16530 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16531 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16532 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16533 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16534 @end itemize
16535
16536 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16537 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16538 described above.
16539
16540 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16541 @cindex build ID sections
16542 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16543 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16544 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16545 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16546 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16547 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16548 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16549 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16550 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16551
16552 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16553 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16554 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16555 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16556 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16557 in an ordinary executable.
16558
16559 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16560 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16561 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16562 following commands:
16563
16564 @smallexample
16565 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16566 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16567 @end smallexample
16568
16569 @noindent
16570 These commands remove the debugging
16571 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16572 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16573 two files:
16574
16575 @itemize @bullet
16576 @item
16577 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16578 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16579
16580 @smallexample
16581 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16582 @end smallexample
16583
16584 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16585 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16586 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16587 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16588
16589 @item
16590 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16591 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16592 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16593 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16594 @end itemize
16595
16596 @noindent
16597
16598 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16599 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16600 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16601
16602 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16603 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16604 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16605 @c different ways!
16606 @ifhtml
16607 @display
16608 @html
16609 <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>
16610 + <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
16611 @end html
16612 @end display
16613 @end ifhtml
16614 @ifnothtml
16615 @display
16616 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16617 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16618 @end display
16619 @end ifnothtml
16620
16621 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16622 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16623 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16624 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16625 CRC.
16626
16627 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16628 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16629 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16630 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16631 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16632 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16633
16634 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16635 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16636 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16637 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16638 @code{0xffffffff}.
16639
16640 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16641 @smallexample
16642 unsigned long
16643 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16644 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16645 @{
16646 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16647 @{
16648 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16649 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16650 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16651 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16652 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16653 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16654 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16655 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16656 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16657 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16658 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16659 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16660 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16661 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16662 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16663 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16664 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16665 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16666 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16667 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16668 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16669 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16670 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16671 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16672 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16673 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16674 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16675 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16676 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16677 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16678 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16679 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16680 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16681 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16682 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16683 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16684 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16685 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16686 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16687 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16688 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16689 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16690 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16691 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16692 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16693 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16694 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16695 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16696 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16697 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16698 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16699 0x2d02ef8d
16700 @};
16701 unsigned char *end;
16702
16703 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16704 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16705 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16706 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16707 @}
16708 @end smallexample
16709
16710 @noindent
16711 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16712
16713
16714 @node Index Files
16715 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16716 @cindex index files
16717 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16718
16719 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16720 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16721 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16722 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16723 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16724 startup.
16725
16726 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16727 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16728 using @command{objcopy}.
16729
16730 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16731
16732 @table @code
16733 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16734 @kindex save gdb-index
16735 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16736 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16737 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16738 @var{directory}.
16739 @end table
16740
16741 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16742 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16743
16744 @smallexample
16745 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16746 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16747 @end smallexample
16748
16749 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
16750 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
16751 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
16752 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
16753 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
16754 The default is @code{off}.
16755 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
16756 @xref{Index Section Format}.
16757
16758 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
16759 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
16760
16761 @smallexample
16762 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16763 @end smallexample
16764
16765 Instead you must do, for example,
16766
16767 @smallexample
16768 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16769 @end smallexample
16770
16771 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16772 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16773 currently work for programs using Ada.
16774
16775 @node Symbol Errors
16776 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16777
16778 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16779 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16780 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16781 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16782 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16783 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16784 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16785 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16786 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16787 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16788 Messages}).
16789
16790 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16791
16792 @table @code
16793 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16794
16795 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16796 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16797 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16798 in its outer scope blocks.
16799
16800 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16801 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16802 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16803 function.
16804
16805 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16806
16807 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16808 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16809 do so.
16810
16811 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16812 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16813 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16814 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16815 Messages}.)
16816
16817 @item bad block start address patched
16818
16819 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16820 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16821 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16822
16823 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
16824 starting on the previous source line.
16825
16826 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
16827
16828 @cindex foo
16829 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
16830 larger than the size of the string table.
16831
16832 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
16833 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
16834 with this name.
16835
16836 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
16837
16838 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
16839 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
16840 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
16841
16842 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
16843 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
16844 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
16845 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
16846 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
16847 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
16848
16849 @item stub type has NULL name
16850
16851 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
16852
16853 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
16854 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
16855 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
16856 it.
16857
16858 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
16859
16860 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
16861
16862 @end table
16863
16864 @node Data Files
16865 @section GDB Data Files
16866
16867 @cindex prefix for data files
16868 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
16869 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
16870
16871 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16872 is currently using.
16873
16874 @table @code
16875 @kindex set data-directory
16876 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16877 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16878 to @var{directory}.
16879
16880 @kindex show data-directory
16881 @item show data-directory
16882 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16883 @end table
16884
16885 @cindex default data directory
16886 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16887 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16888 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16889 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16890 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16891 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16892 location.
16893
16894 The data directory may also be specified with the
16895 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16896 @xref{Mode Options}.
16897
16898 @node Targets
16899 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16900
16901 @cindex debugging target
16902 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16903
16904 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16905 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16906 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16907 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16908 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16909 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16910 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16911 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16912
16913 @cindex target architecture
16914 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16915 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16916 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16917 command.
16918
16919 @table @code
16920 @kindex set architecture
16921 @kindex show architecture
16922 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16923 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16924 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16925 supported architectures.
16926
16927 @item show architecture
16928 Show the current target architecture.
16929
16930 @item set processor
16931 @itemx processor
16932 @kindex set processor
16933 @kindex show processor
16934 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16935 and @code{show architecture}.
16936 @end table
16937
16938 @menu
16939 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16940 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16941 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16942 @end menu
16943
16944 @node Active Targets
16945 @section Active Targets
16946
16947 @cindex stacking targets
16948 @cindex active targets
16949 @cindex multiple targets
16950
16951 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16952 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16953 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16954 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16955 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16956 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16957 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16958 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16959 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16960
16961 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16962 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16963 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16964 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16965
16966 @node Target Commands
16967 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16968
16969 @table @code
16970 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16971 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16972 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16973 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16974 protocol of the target machine.
16975
16976 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16977 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16978 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16979
16980 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16981 after executing the command.
16982
16983 @kindex help target
16984 @item help target
16985 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16986 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16987 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16988
16989 @item help target @var{name}
16990 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16991 select it.
16992
16993 @kindex set gnutarget
16994 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16995 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16996 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16997 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16998 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
16999 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17000
17001 @quotation
17002 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17003 you must know the actual BFD name.
17004 @end quotation
17005
17006 @noindent
17007 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17008
17009 @kindex show gnutarget
17010 @item show gnutarget
17011 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17012 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17013 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17014 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
17015 @end table
17016
17017 @cindex common targets
17018 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17019 configuration):
17020
17021 @table @code
17022 @kindex target
17023 @item target exec @var{program}
17024 @cindex executable file target
17025 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17026 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17027
17028 @item target core @var{filename}
17029 @cindex core dump file target
17030 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17031 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17032
17033 @item target remote @var{medium}
17034 @cindex remote target
17035 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17036 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17037 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17038
17039 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17040 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17041
17042 @smallexample
17043 target remote /dev/ttya
17044 @end smallexample
17045
17046 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17047 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17048 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17049 clobbered by the download.
17050
17051 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17052 @cindex built-in simulator target
17053 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17054 In general,
17055 @smallexample
17056 target sim
17057 load
17058 run
17059 @end smallexample
17060 @noindent
17061 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17062 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17063 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17064 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17065 Processors}.
17066
17067 @end table
17068
17069 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17070
17071 @table @code
17072
17073 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17074 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17075 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17076
17077 @end table
17078
17079 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17080 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17081
17082 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17083 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17084 various aspects of this process.
17085
17086 @table @code
17087
17088 @item set hash
17089 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17090 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17091 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17092 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17093 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17094 monitor.
17095
17096 @item show hash
17097 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17098 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17099
17100 @item set debug monitor
17101 @kindex set debug monitor
17102 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17103 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17104 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17105
17106 @item show debug monitor
17107 @kindex show debug monitor
17108 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17109 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17110 @end table
17111
17112 @table @code
17113
17114 @kindex load @var{filename}
17115 @item load @var{filename}
17116 @anchor{load}
17117 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17118 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17119 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17120 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17121 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17122 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17123
17124 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17125 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17126 target is @dots{}}''
17127
17128 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17129 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17130 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17131 specifies a fixed address.
17132 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17133
17134 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17135 load programs into flash memory.
17136
17137 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17138 @end table
17139
17140 @node Byte Order
17141 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17142
17143 @cindex choosing target byte order
17144 @cindex target byte order
17145
17146 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17147 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17148 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17149 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17150 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17151 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17152
17153 @table @code
17154 @kindex set endian
17155 @item set endian big
17156 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17157
17158 @item set endian little
17159 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17160
17161 @item set endian auto
17162 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17163 executable.
17164
17165 @item show endian
17166 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17167
17168 @end table
17169
17170 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17171 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17172 target system.
17173
17174
17175 @node Remote Debugging
17176 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17177 @cindex remote debugging
17178
17179 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17180 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17181 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17182 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17183 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17184
17185 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17186 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17187 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17188 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17189 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17190 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17191
17192 Other remote targets may be available in your
17193 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17194
17195 @menu
17196 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17197 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17198 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17199 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17200 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17201 @end menu
17202
17203 @node Connecting
17204 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17205
17206 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17207 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17208 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17209 program as the first argument.
17210
17211 @cindex @code{target remote}
17212 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17213 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17214 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17215 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17216 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17217 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17218
17219 @table @code
17220
17221 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17222 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17223 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17224 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17225
17226 @smallexample
17227 target remote /dev/ttyb
17228 @end smallexample
17229
17230 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17231 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17232 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17233 @code{target} command.
17234
17235 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17236 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17237 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17238 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17239 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17240 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17241 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17242 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17243 target.
17244
17245 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17246 @code{manyfarms}:
17247
17248 @smallexample
17249 target remote manyfarms:2828
17250 @end smallexample
17251
17252 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17253 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17254 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17255 port 1234 on your local machine:
17256
17257 @smallexample
17258 target remote :1234
17259 @end smallexample
17260 @noindent
17261
17262 Note that the colon is still required here.
17263
17264 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17265 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17266 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17267 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17268
17269 @smallexample
17270 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17271 @end smallexample
17272
17273 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17274 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17275 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17276 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17277
17278 @item target remote | @var{command}
17279 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17280 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17281 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17282 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17283 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17284 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17285 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17286 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17287
17288 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17289 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17290 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17291
17292 @end table
17293
17294 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17295 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17296 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17297 need to use @kbd{run}.
17298
17299 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17300 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17301 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17302 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17303 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17304 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17305 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17306
17307 @smallexample
17308 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17309 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17310 @end smallexample
17311
17312 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17313 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17314 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17315 goes back to waiting.
17316
17317 @table @code
17318 @kindex detach (remote)
17319 @item detach
17320 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17321 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17322 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17323 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17324 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17325
17326 @kindex disconnect
17327 @item disconnect
17328 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17329 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17330 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17331 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17332 another target.
17333
17334 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17335 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17336 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17337 @kindex monitor
17338 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17339 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17340 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17341 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17342 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17343 and implement.
17344 @end table
17345
17346 @node File Transfer
17347 @section Sending files to a remote system
17348 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17349 @cindex file transfer
17350 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17351
17352 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17353 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17354 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17355 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17356 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17357 the only way to upload or download files.
17358
17359 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17360
17361 @table @code
17362 @kindex remote put
17363 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17364 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17365 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17366
17367 @kindex remote get
17368 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17369 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17370 on the host system.
17371
17372 @kindex remote delete
17373 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17374 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17375
17376 @end table
17377
17378 @node Server
17379 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17380
17381 @kindex gdbserver
17382 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17383 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17384 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17385 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17386
17387 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17388 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17389 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17390 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17391 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17392 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17393 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17394 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17395 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17396 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17397 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17398 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17399 choice for debugging.
17400
17401 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17402 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17403 protocol.
17404
17405 @quotation
17406 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17407 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17408 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17409 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17410 @code{gdbserver}.
17411 @end quotation
17412
17413 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17414 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17415 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17416
17417 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17418 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17419 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17420 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17421 system does all the symbol handling.
17422
17423 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17424 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17425 syntax is:
17426
17427 @smallexample
17428 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17429 @end smallexample
17430
17431 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17432 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17433 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17434 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17435 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17436 @file{/dev/com1}:
17437
17438 @smallexample
17439 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17440 @end smallexample
17441
17442 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17443 with it.
17444
17445 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17446
17447 @smallexample
17448 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17449 @end smallexample
17450
17451 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17452 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17453 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17454 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17455 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17456 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17457 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17458 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17459 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17460 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17461 @code{target remote} command.
17462
17463 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17464 with ssh:
17465
17466 @smallexample
17467 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17468 @end smallexample
17469
17470 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17471 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17472 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17473 You could elide it if you want to.
17474
17475 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17476 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17477 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17478 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17479
17480 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17481 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17482 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17483
17484 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17485 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17486
17487 @smallexample
17488 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17489 @end smallexample
17490
17491 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17492 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17493
17494 @pindex pidof
17495 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17496 @code{pidof} utility:
17497
17498 @smallexample
17499 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17500 @end smallexample
17501
17502 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17503 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17504 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17505
17506 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17507 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17508 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17509
17510 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17511 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17512 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17513 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17514
17515 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17516 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17517 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17518 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17519 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17520 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17521 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17522 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17523 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17524
17525 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17526 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17527 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17528 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17529 the program you want to debug.
17530
17531 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17532 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17533 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17534 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17535 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17536 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17537
17538 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17539
17540 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17541
17542 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17543 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17544 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17545 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17546 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17547 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17548 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17549 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17550
17551 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17552 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17553 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17554
17555 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17556 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17557 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17558 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17559 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17560 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17561 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17562 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17563 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17564 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17565 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17566 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17567
17568 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17569
17570 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17571 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17572 status information about the debugging process.
17573 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17574 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17575 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17576 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17577
17578 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17579 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17580 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17581 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17582 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17583
17584 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17585 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17586 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17587 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17588
17589 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17590 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17591 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17592 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17593
17594 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17595 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17596 environment:
17597
17598 @smallexample
17599 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17600 @end smallexample
17601
17602 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17603
17604 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17605
17606 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17607 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17608 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17609 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17610
17611 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17612 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17613 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17614 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17615 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17616 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17617 programs.
17618
17619 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17620 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17621 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17622 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17623 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17624 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17625 already on the target.
17626
17627 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17628 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17629 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17630
17631 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17632 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17633 Here are the available commands.
17634
17635 @table @code
17636 @item monitor help
17637 List the available monitor commands.
17638
17639 @item monitor set debug 0
17640 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17641 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17642
17643 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17644 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17645 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17646 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17647
17648 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17649 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17650 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17651 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17652 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17653 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17654
17655 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17656 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17657
17658 @item monitor exit
17659 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17660 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17661 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17662 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17663 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17664
17665 @end table
17666
17667 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17668 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17669
17670 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17671 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17672
17673 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17674 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17675 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17676 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17677 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17678 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17679 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17680 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17681 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17682 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17683 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17684 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17685
17686 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17687
17688 @table @code
17689 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17690
17691 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17692 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17693 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17694
17695 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17696
17697 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17698 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17699 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17700 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17701 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17702 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17703
17704 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17705
17706 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17707 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17708 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17709 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17710 command for that. For example:
17711
17712 @smallexample
17713 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17714 @end smallexample
17715
17716 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17717 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17718 @end table
17719
17720 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17721 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17722 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17723 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17724 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17725 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17726 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17727 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17728 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17729 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17730
17731 @smallexample
17732 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17733 @end smallexample
17734
17735 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17736
17737 @smallexample
17738 $ gdb myprogram
17739 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17740 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17741 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17742 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17743 @end smallexample
17744
17745 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17746 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17747 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17748 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17749 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17750 tracing.
17751
17752 @node Remote Configuration
17753 @section Remote Configuration
17754
17755 @kindex set remote
17756 @kindex show remote
17757 This section documents the configuration options available when
17758 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17759 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17760 system-call-allowed}.
17761
17762 @table @code
17763 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17764 @cindex address size for remote targets
17765 @cindex bits in remote address
17766 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17767 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17768 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17769 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17770
17771 @item show remoteaddresssize
17772 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17773
17774 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17775 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17776 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17777 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17778 remote targets.
17779
17780 @item show remotebaud
17781 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17782
17783 @item set remotebreak
17784 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17785 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17786 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17787 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17788 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17789 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17790 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17791 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17792
17793 @item show remotebreak
17794 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17795 interrupt the remote program.
17796
17797 @item set remoteflow on
17798 @itemx set remoteflow off
17799 @kindex set remoteflow
17800 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17801 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17802
17803 @item show remoteflow
17804 @kindex show remoteflow
17805 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17806
17807 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17808 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17809 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17810 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17811 @code{ascii}.
17812
17813 @item show remotelogbase
17814 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17815 protocol.
17816
17817 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17818 @cindex record serial communications on file
17819 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17820 default is not to record at all.
17821
17822 @item show remotelogfile.
17823 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
17824 serial communications.
17825
17826 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
17827 @cindex timeout for serial communications
17828 @cindex remote timeout
17829 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
17830 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
17831
17832 @item show remotetimeout
17833 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
17834 responses.
17835
17836 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
17837 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
17838 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
17839 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
17840 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
17841 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
17842 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
17843 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
17844
17845 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
17846 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
17847 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
17848 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
17849 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
17850 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
17851 as unlimited.
17852
17853 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
17854 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
17855 a remote hardware watchpoint.
17856
17857 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
17858 @itemx show remote exec-file
17859 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
17860 @cindex executable file, for remote target
17861 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
17862 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
17863 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
17864 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
17865
17866 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
17867 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17868 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
17869 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
17870 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
17871 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
17872 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
17873 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
17874 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
17875 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
17876
17877 @item show interrupt-sequence
17878 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
17879 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
17880 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
17881 also known as Magic SysRq g.
17882
17883 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
17884 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
17885 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
17886 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
17887 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
17888 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
17889
17890 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17891 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17892 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17893
17894 @kindex set tcp
17895 @kindex show tcp
17896 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17897 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17898 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17899 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17900 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17901 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17902 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17903 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17904 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17905
17906 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17907 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17908
17909 @item show tcp auto-retry
17910 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17911
17912 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17913 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17914 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17915 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17916 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17917 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17918 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17919 value.
17920
17921 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17922 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17923 @end table
17924
17925 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17926 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17927 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17928 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17929 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17930 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17931 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17932 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17933 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17934
17935 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17936 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17937 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17938 @value{GDBN} developers.
17939
17940 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17941 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17942 are:
17943
17944 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17945 @item Command Name
17946 @tab Remote Packet
17947 @tab Related Features
17948
17949 @item @code{fetch-register}
17950 @tab @code{p}
17951 @tab @code{info registers}
17952
17953 @item @code{set-register}
17954 @tab @code{P}
17955 @tab @code{set}
17956
17957 @item @code{binary-download}
17958 @tab @code{X}
17959 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17960
17961 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17962 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17963 @tab @code{info auxv}
17964
17965 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17966 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17967 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17968
17969 @item @code{attach}
17970 @tab @code{vAttach}
17971 @tab @code{attach}
17972
17973 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17974 @tab @code{vCont}
17975 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17976
17977 @item @code{run}
17978 @tab @code{vRun}
17979 @tab @code{run}
17980
17981 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17982 @tab @code{Z0}
17983 @tab @code{break}
17984
17985 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17986 @tab @code{Z1}
17987 @tab @code{hbreak}
17988
17989 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17990 @tab @code{Z2}
17991 @tab @code{watch}
17992
17993 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17994 @tab @code{Z3}
17995 @tab @code{rwatch}
17996
17997 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
17998 @tab @code{Z4}
17999 @tab @code{awatch}
18000
18001 @item @code{target-features}
18002 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18003 @tab @code{set architecture}
18004
18005 @item @code{library-info}
18006 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18007 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18008
18009 @item @code{memory-map}
18010 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18011 @tab @code{info mem}
18012
18013 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18014 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18015 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18016
18017 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18018 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18019 @tab @code{info spu}
18020
18021 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18022 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18023 @tab @code{info spu}
18024
18025 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18026 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18027 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18028
18029 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18030 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18031 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18032
18033 @item @code{threads}
18034 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18035 @tab @code{info threads}
18036
18037 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18038 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18039 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18040
18041 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18042 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18043 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18044
18045 @item @code{search-memory}
18046 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18047 @tab @code{find}
18048
18049 @item @code{supported-packets}
18050 @tab @code{qSupported}
18051 @tab Remote communications parameters
18052
18053 @item @code{pass-signals}
18054 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18055 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18056
18057 @item @code{program-signals}
18058 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18059 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18060
18061 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18062 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18063 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18064
18065 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18066 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18067 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18068
18069 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18070 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18071 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18072
18073 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18074 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18075 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18076
18077 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18078 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18079 @tab @code{remote delete}
18080
18081 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18082 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18083 @tab Host I/O
18084
18085 @item @code{noack-packet}
18086 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18087 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18088
18089 @item @code{osdata}
18090 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18091 @tab @code{info os}
18092
18093 @item @code{query-attached}
18094 @tab @code{qAttached}
18095 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18096
18097 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18098 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18099 @tab Traceframe info
18100
18101 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18102 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18103 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18104
18105 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18106 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18107 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18108
18109 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18110 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18111 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18112 @end multitable
18113
18114 @node Remote Stub
18115 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18116
18117 @cindex debugging stub, example
18118 @cindex remote stub, example
18119 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18120 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18121 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18122 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18123 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18124 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18125 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18126 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18127
18128 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18129 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18130 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18131 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18132 program, you need:
18133
18134 @enumerate
18135 @item
18136 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18137 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18138 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18139
18140 @item
18141 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18142 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18143
18144 @item
18145 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18146 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18147 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18148 documentation.
18149 @end enumerate
18150
18151 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18152 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18153 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18154
18155 @table @emph
18156 @item On the host,
18157 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18158 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18159 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18160
18161 @item On the target,
18162 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18163 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18164 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18165
18166 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18167 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18168 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18169 @end table
18170
18171 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18172 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18173 @sc{sparc} boards.
18174
18175 @cindex remote serial stub list
18176 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18177
18178 @table @code
18179
18180 @item i386-stub.c
18181 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18182 @cindex Intel
18183 @cindex i386
18184 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18185
18186 @item m68k-stub.c
18187 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18188 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18189 @cindex m680x0
18190 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18191
18192 @item sh-stub.c
18193 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18194 @cindex Renesas
18195 @cindex SH
18196 For Renesas SH architectures.
18197
18198 @item sparc-stub.c
18199 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18200 @cindex Sparc
18201 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18202
18203 @item sparcl-stub.c
18204 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18205 @cindex Fujitsu
18206 @cindex SparcLite
18207 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18208
18209 @end table
18210
18211 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18212 recently added stubs.
18213
18214 @menu
18215 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18216 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18217 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18218 @end menu
18219
18220 @node Stub Contents
18221 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18222
18223 @cindex remote serial stub
18224 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18225 subroutines:
18226
18227 @table @code
18228 @item set_debug_traps
18229 @findex set_debug_traps
18230 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18231 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18232 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18233 program's startup code.
18234
18235 @item handle_exception
18236 @findex handle_exception
18237 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18238 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18239 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18240 run when a trap is triggered.
18241
18242 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18243 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18244 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18245 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18246 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18247 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18248 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18249 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18250 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18251 machine.
18252
18253 @item breakpoint
18254 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18255 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18256 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18257 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18258 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18259 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18260 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18261 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18262 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18263 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18264 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18265
18266 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18267 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18268 start of your debugging session.
18269 @end table
18270
18271 @node Bootstrapping
18272 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18273
18274 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18275 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18276 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18277 debugging target machine.
18278
18279 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18280 serial port.
18281
18282 @table @code
18283 @item int getDebugChar()
18284 @findex getDebugChar
18285 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18286 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18287 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18288
18289 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18290 @findex putDebugChar
18291 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18292 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18293 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18294 @end table
18295
18296 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18297 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18298 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18299 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18300 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18301 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18302 remote system to stop.
18303
18304 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18305 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18306 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18307 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18308
18309 Other routines you need to supply are:
18310
18311 @table @code
18312 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18313 @findex exceptionHandler
18314 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18315 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18316 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18317 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18318 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18319 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18320 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18321 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18322 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18323 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18324 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18325 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18326 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18327
18328 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18329 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18330 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18331 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18332 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18333
18334 @item void flush_i_cache()
18335 @findex flush_i_cache
18336 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18337 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18338 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18339
18340 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18341 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18342 @end table
18343
18344 @noindent
18345 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18346
18347 @table @code
18348 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18349 @findex memset
18350 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18351 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18352 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18353 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18354 @end table
18355
18356 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18357 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18358 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18359 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18360
18361
18362 @node Debug Session
18363 @subsection Putting it All Together
18364
18365 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18366 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18367 steps.
18368
18369 @enumerate
18370 @item
18371 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18372 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18373 @display
18374 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18375 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18376 @end display
18377
18378 @item
18379 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18380 procedure is called:
18381
18382 @smallexample
18383 set_debug_traps();
18384 breakpoint();
18385 @end smallexample
18386
18387 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18388 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18389 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18390 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18391 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18392 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18393 progress.
18394
18395 @item
18396 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18397 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18398
18399 @smallexample
18400 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18401 @end smallexample
18402
18403 @noindent
18404 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18405 function in your program, that function is called when
18406 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18407 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18408 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18409
18410 @item
18411 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18412 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18413
18414 @item
18415 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18416 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18417
18418 @item
18419 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18420 @c document that. FIXME.
18421 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18422 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18423
18424 @item
18425 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18426 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18427
18428 @end enumerate
18429
18430 @node Configurations
18431 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18432
18433 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18434 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18435 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18436
18437 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18438 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18439 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18440 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18441 are quite different from each other.
18442
18443 @menu
18444 * Native::
18445 * Embedded OS::
18446 * Embedded Processors::
18447 * Architectures::
18448 @end menu
18449
18450 @node Native
18451 @section Native
18452
18453 This section describes details specific to particular native
18454 configurations.
18455
18456 @menu
18457 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18458 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18459 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18460 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18461 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18462 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18463 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
18464 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18465 @end menu
18466
18467 @node HP-UX
18468 @subsection HP-UX
18469
18470 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18471 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18472 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18473
18474
18475 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18476 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18477
18478 @cindex libkvm
18479 @cindex kernel memory image
18480 @cindex kernel crash dump
18481
18482 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18483 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18484 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18485 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18486 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18487 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18488 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18489 @code{kvm} target:
18490
18491 @smallexample
18492 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18493 @end smallexample
18494
18495 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18496 argument:
18497
18498 @smallexample
18499 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18500 @end smallexample
18501
18502 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18503 available:
18504
18505 @table @code
18506 @kindex kvm
18507 @item kvm pcb
18508 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18509
18510 @item kvm proc
18511 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18512 modern FreeBSD systems.
18513 @end table
18514
18515 @node SVR4 Process Information
18516 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18517 @cindex /proc
18518 @cindex examine process image
18519 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18520
18521 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18522 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18523 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
18524 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
18525 proc} is available to report information about the process running
18526 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
18527 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
18528 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
18529 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
18530
18531 @table @code
18532 @kindex info proc
18533 @cindex process ID
18534 @item info proc
18535 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18536 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18537 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18538 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18539 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18540 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18541 executable file's absolute file name.
18542
18543 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18544 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18545 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18546 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18547 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18548 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18549
18550 @item info proc mappings
18551 @cindex memory address space mappings
18552 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18553 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18554 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18555 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18556 memory access rights to that range.
18557
18558 @item info proc stat
18559 @itemx info proc status
18560 @cindex process detailed status information
18561 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18562 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18563 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18564 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18565 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18566 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18567 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18568
18569 @item info proc all
18570 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18571 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18572
18573 @ignore
18574 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18575 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18576 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18577 @kindex info proc times
18578 @item info proc times
18579 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18580 its children.
18581
18582 @kindex info proc id
18583 @item info proc id
18584 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18585 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18586 @end ignore
18587
18588 @item set procfs-trace
18589 @kindex set procfs-trace
18590 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18591 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18592
18593 @item show procfs-trace
18594 @kindex show procfs-trace
18595 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18596
18597 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18598 @kindex set procfs-file
18599 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18600 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18601 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18602 standard output.
18603
18604 @item show procfs-file
18605 @kindex show procfs-file
18606 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18607
18608 @item proc-trace-entry
18609 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18610 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18611 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18612 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18613 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18614 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18615 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18616 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18617 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18618
18619 @item info pidlist
18620 @kindex info pidlist
18621 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18622 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18623 processes and all the threads within each process.
18624
18625 @item info meminfo
18626 @kindex info meminfo
18627 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18628 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18629 @end table
18630
18631 @node DJGPP Native
18632 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18633 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18634 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18635 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18636
18637 @cindex DPMI
18638 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18639 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18640 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18641 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18642
18643 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18644 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18645 subsection describes those commands.
18646
18647 @table @code
18648 @kindex info dos
18649 @item info dos
18650 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18651 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18652
18653 @kindex sysinfo
18654 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18655 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18656 @item info dos sysinfo
18657 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18658 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18659 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18660
18661 @cindex GDT
18662 @cindex LDT
18663 @cindex IDT
18664 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18665 @cindex descriptor tables display
18666 @item info dos gdt
18667 @itemx info dos ldt
18668 @itemx info dos idt
18669 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18670 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18671 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18672 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18673 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18674 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18675 rights.
18676
18677 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18678 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18679 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18680 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18681 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18682
18683 @cindex garbled pointers
18684 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18685 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18686 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18687 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18688 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18689 debugged program's data segment:
18690
18691 @smallexample
18692 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18693 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18694 @end smallexample
18695
18696 @noindent
18697 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18698 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18699
18700 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18701 @item info dos pde
18702 @itemx info dos pte
18703 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18704 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18705 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18706 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18707 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18708 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18709 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18710 that is currently in use.
18711
18712 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18713 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18714 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18715 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18716 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18717 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18718 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18719
18720 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18721 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18722 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18723 controller.
18724
18725 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18726
18727 @cindex physical address from linear address
18728 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18729 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18730 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18731 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18732 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18733 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18734 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18735
18736 @smallexample
18737 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18738 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18739 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18740 @end smallexample
18741
18742 @noindent
18743 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18744 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18745 attributes of that page.
18746
18747 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18748 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18749 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18750 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18751 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18752 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18753
18754 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18755 transfer buffer:
18756
18757 @smallexample
18758 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18759 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18760 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18761 @end smallexample
18762
18763 @noindent
18764 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18765 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18766 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18767 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18768 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18769
18770 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18771 @end table
18772
18773 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18774 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18775 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18776 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18777
18778 @table @code
18779 @kindex set com1base
18780 @kindex set com1irq
18781 @kindex set com2base
18782 @kindex set com2irq
18783 @kindex set com3base
18784 @kindex set com3irq
18785 @kindex set com4base
18786 @kindex set com4irq
18787 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18788 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18789 port.
18790
18791 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18792 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18793 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18794
18795 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18796 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18797 other 3 COM ports.
18798
18799 @kindex show com1base
18800 @kindex show com1irq
18801 @kindex show com2base
18802 @kindex show com2irq
18803 @kindex show com3base
18804 @kindex show com3irq
18805 @kindex show com4base
18806 @kindex show com4irq
18807 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
18808 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
18809 lines used by the COM ports.
18810
18811 @item info serial
18812 @kindex info serial
18813 @cindex DOS serial port status
18814 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
18815 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
18816 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
18817 counts of various errors encountered so far.
18818 @end table
18819
18820
18821 @node Cygwin Native
18822 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
18823 @cindex MS Windows debugging
18824 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
18825 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
18826
18827 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
18828 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
18829
18830 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
18831 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
18832 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
18833 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
18834 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
18835 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
18836 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
18837 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
18838
18839 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
18840 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
18841 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
18842
18843 @table @code
18844 @kindex info w32
18845 @item info w32
18846 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
18847 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18848
18849 @item info w32 selector
18850 This command displays information returned by
18851 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
18852 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
18853 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
18854 Without argument, this command displays information
18855 about the six segment registers.
18856
18857 @item info w32 thread-information-block
18858 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
18859 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
18860 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
18861
18862 @kindex info dll
18863 @item info dll
18864 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
18865
18866 @kindex dll-symbols
18867 @item dll-symbols
18868 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
18869 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
18870
18871 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
18872 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
18873 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
18874 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
18875 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
18876 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
18877 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
18878 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
18879 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
18880 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
18881 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
18882
18883 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
18884 @item show cygwin-exceptions
18885 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
18886 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
18887
18888 @kindex set new-console
18889 @item set new-console @var{mode}
18890 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
18891 be started in a new console on next start.
18892 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
18893 be started in the same console as the debugger.
18894
18895 @kindex show new-console
18896 @item show new-console
18897 Displays whether a new console is used
18898 when the debuggee is started.
18899
18900 @kindex set new-group
18901 @item set new-group @var{mode}
18902 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
18903 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
18904 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
18905 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
18906
18907 @kindex show new-group
18908 @item show new-group
18909 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
18910
18911 @kindex set debugevents
18912 @item set debugevents
18913 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
18914 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18915 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18916 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18917 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18918
18919 @kindex set debugexec
18920 @item set debugexec
18921 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18922 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18923
18924 @kindex set debugexceptions
18925 @item set debugexceptions
18926 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18927 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18928
18929 @kindex set debugmemory
18930 @item set debugmemory
18931 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18932 and writes by the debugger.
18933
18934 @kindex set shell
18935 @item set shell
18936 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18937 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18938
18939 @kindex show shell
18940 @item show shell
18941 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18942
18943 @end table
18944
18945 @menu
18946 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18947 @end menu
18948
18949 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18950 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18951 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18952 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18953
18954 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18955 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18956 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18957 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18958 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18959 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18960 ``minimal symbols''.
18961
18962 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18963 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18964 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18965 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18966 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18967 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18968 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18969 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18970 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18971 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18972
18973 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18974
18975 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18976 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18977 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18978 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18979 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18980 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18981 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18982 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18983 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18984
18985 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18986 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18987 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18988 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18989 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18990 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18991
18992 @smallexample
18993 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18994 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18995
18996 Non-debugging symbols:
18997 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18998 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
18999 @end smallexample
19000
19001 @smallexample
19002 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19003 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19004
19005 Non-debugging symbols:
19006 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19007 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19008 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19009 [etc...]
19010 @end smallexample
19011
19012 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19013
19014 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19015 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19016 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19017 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19018 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19019 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19020 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19021
19022 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19023 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19024 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19025 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19026 problem:
19027
19028 @smallexample
19029 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19030 $1 = 268572168
19031 @end smallexample
19032
19033 @smallexample
19034 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19035 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19036 @end smallexample
19037
19038 And two possible solutions:
19039
19040 @smallexample
19041 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19042 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19043 @end smallexample
19044
19045 @smallexample
19046 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19047 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19048 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19049 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19050 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19051 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19052 @end smallexample
19053
19054 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19055 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19056 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19057 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19058 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19059
19060 @smallexample
19061 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19062 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19063 @end smallexample
19064
19065 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19066 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19067 safe.
19068
19069 @node Hurd Native
19070 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19071 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19072
19073 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19074 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19075
19076 @table @code
19077 @item set signals
19078 @itemx set sigs
19079 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19080 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19081 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19082 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19083 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19084 @code{signals}.
19085
19086 @item show signals
19087 @itemx show sigs
19088 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19089 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19090 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19091
19092 @item set signal-thread
19093 @itemx set sigthread
19094 @kindex set signal-thread
19095 @kindex set sigthread
19096 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19097 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19098 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19099 signal-thread}.
19100
19101 @item show signal-thread
19102 @itemx show sigthread
19103 @kindex show signal-thread
19104 @kindex show sigthread
19105 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19106 delivered a signal.
19107
19108 @item set stopped
19109 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19110 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19111 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19112 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19113
19114 @item show stopped
19115 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19116 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19117 stopped.
19118
19119 @item set exceptions
19120 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19121 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19122 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19123 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19124 trapping on.
19125
19126 @item show exceptions
19127 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19128 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19129
19130 @item set task pause
19131 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19132 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19133 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19134 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19135 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19136 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19137 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19138 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19139 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19140
19141 @item show task pause
19142 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19143 Show the current state of task suspension.
19144
19145 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19146 @cindex task suspend count
19147 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19148 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19149 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19150
19151 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19152 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19153
19154 @item set task exception-port
19155 @itemx set task excp
19156 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19157 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19158 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19159 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19160
19161 @item set noninvasive
19162 @cindex noninvasive task options
19163 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19164 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19165 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19166 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19167
19168 @item info send-rights
19169 @itemx info receive-rights
19170 @itemx info port-rights
19171 @itemx info port-sets
19172 @itemx info dead-names
19173 @itemx info ports
19174 @itemx info psets
19175 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19176 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19177 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19178 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19179 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19180 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19181 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19182 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19183 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19184
19185 @item set thread pause
19186 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19187 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19188 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19189 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19190 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19191 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19192 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19193 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19194 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19195 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19196 only the current thread.
19197
19198 @item show thread pause
19199 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19200 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19201
19202 @item set thread run
19203 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19204
19205 @item show thread run
19206 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19207
19208 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19209 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19210 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19211 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19212 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19213 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19214 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19215
19216 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19217 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19218 detaching.
19219
19220 @item set thread exception-port
19221 @itemx set thread excp
19222 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19223 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19224 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19225
19226 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19227 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19228 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19229 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19230
19231 @item set thread default
19232 @itemx show thread default
19233 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19234 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19235 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19236 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19237 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19238 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19239 the non-default commands.
19240 @end table
19241
19242
19243 @node Neutrino
19244 @subsection QNX Neutrino
19245 @cindex QNX Neutrino
19246
19247 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
19248 Neutrino target:
19249
19250 @table @code
19251 @item set debug nto-debug
19252 @kindex set debug nto-debug
19253 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
19254 Neutrino support.
19255
19256 @item show debug nto-debug
19257 @kindex show debug nto-debug
19258 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
19259 @end table
19260
19261 @node Darwin
19262 @subsection Darwin
19263 @cindex Darwin
19264
19265 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19266
19267 @table @code
19268 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19269 @kindex set debug darwin
19270 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19271 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19272
19273 @item show debug darwin
19274 @kindex show debug darwin
19275 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19276
19277 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19278 @kindex set debug mach-o
19279 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19280 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19281 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19282 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19283 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19284 usage.
19285
19286 @item show debug mach-o
19287 @kindex show debug mach-o
19288 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19289
19290 @item set mach-exceptions on
19291 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19292 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19293 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19294 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19295 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19296 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19297
19298 @item show mach-exceptions
19299 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19300 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19301 @end table
19302
19303
19304 @node Embedded OS
19305 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19306
19307 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19308 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19309 architectures.
19310
19311 @menu
19312 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19313 @end menu
19314
19315 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19316 various real-time operating systems.
19317
19318 @node VxWorks
19319 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19320
19321 @cindex VxWorks
19322
19323 @table @code
19324
19325 @kindex target vxworks
19326 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19327 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19328 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19329
19330 @end table
19331
19332 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19333 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19334
19335 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19336 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19337 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19338 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19339 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19340 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19341 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19342
19343 @table @code
19344 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19345 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19346 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19347 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19348 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19349 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19350 of a thin network line.
19351 @end table
19352
19353 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19354 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19355 procedures.
19356
19357 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19358 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19359 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19360 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19361 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19362 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19363 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19364 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19365 manual.
19366 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19367
19368 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19369 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19370 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19371 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19372
19373 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19374
19375 @smallexample
19376 (vxgdb)
19377 @end smallexample
19378
19379 @menu
19380 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19381 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19382 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19383 @end menu
19384
19385 @node VxWorks Connection
19386 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19387
19388 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19389 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19390
19391 @smallexample
19392 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19393 @end smallexample
19394
19395 @need 750
19396 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19397
19398 @smallexample
19399 Attaching remote machine across net...
19400 Connected to tt.
19401 @end smallexample
19402
19403 @need 1000
19404 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19405 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19406 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19407 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19408 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19409
19410 @smallexample
19411 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19412 @end smallexample
19413
19414 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19415 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19416 command again.
19417
19418 @node VxWorks Download
19419 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19420
19421 @cindex download to VxWorks
19422 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19423 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19424 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19425 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19426 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19427 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19428 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19429 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19430 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19431 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19432 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19433 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19434 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19435 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19436 program, type this on VxWorks:
19437
19438 @smallexample
19439 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19440 @end smallexample
19441
19442 @noindent
19443 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19444
19445 @smallexample
19446 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19447 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19448 @end smallexample
19449
19450 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19451
19452 @smallexample
19453 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19454 @end smallexample
19455
19456 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19457 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19458 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19459 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19460 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19461 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19462 table.)
19463
19464 @node VxWorks Attach
19465 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19466
19467 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19468 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19469 follows:
19470
19471 @smallexample
19472 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19473 @end smallexample
19474
19475 @noindent
19476 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19477 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19478 the time of attachment.
19479
19480 @node Embedded Processors
19481 @section Embedded Processors
19482
19483 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19484 configurations.
19485
19486 @cindex send command to simulator
19487 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19488 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19489
19490 @table @code
19491 @item sim @var{command}
19492 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19493 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19494 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19495 acceptable commands.
19496 @end table
19497
19498
19499 @menu
19500 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19501 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19502 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19503 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19504 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19505 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
19506 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19507 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19508 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19509 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19510 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19511 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19512 * CRIS:: CRIS
19513 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19514 @end menu
19515
19516 @node ARM
19517 @subsection ARM
19518 @cindex ARM RDI
19519
19520 @table @code
19521 @kindex target rdi
19522 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19523 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19524 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19525 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19526
19527 @kindex target rdp
19528 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19529 ARM Demon monitor.
19530
19531 @end table
19532
19533 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19534
19535 @table @code
19536 @item set arm disassembler
19537 @kindex set arm
19538 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19539 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19540
19541 @item show arm disassembler
19542 @kindex show arm
19543 Show the current disassembly style.
19544
19545 @item set arm apcs32
19546 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19547 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19548
19549 @item show arm apcs32
19550 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19551
19552 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19553 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19554 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19555
19556 @table @code
19557 @item auto
19558 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19559 @item softfpa
19560 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19561 processors.
19562 @item fpa
19563 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19564 @item softvfp
19565 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19566 @item vfp
19567 VFP co-processor.
19568 @end table
19569
19570 @item show arm fpu
19571 Show the current type of the FPU.
19572
19573 @item set arm abi
19574 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19575
19576 @item show arm abi
19577 Show the currently used ABI.
19578
19579 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19580 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19581 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19582 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19583 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19584 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19585 register).
19586
19587 @item show arm fallback-mode
19588 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19589
19590 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19591 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19592 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19593 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19594 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19595
19596 @item show arm force-mode
19597 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19598
19599 @item set debug arm
19600 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19601 target support subsystem.
19602
19603 @item show debug arm
19604 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19605 @end table
19606
19607 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19608 using the RDI interface:
19609
19610 @table @code
19611 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19612 @kindex rdilogfile
19613 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19614 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19615 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19616 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19617 @file{rdi.log}.
19618
19619 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19620 @kindex rdilogenable
19621 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19622 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19623 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19624 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19625 are logged to a file.
19626
19627 @item set rdiromatzero
19628 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19629 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19630 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19631 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19632 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19633 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19634
19635 @item show rdiromatzero
19636 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19637 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19638
19639 @item set rdiheartbeat
19640 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19641 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19642 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19643 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19644 well as the Angel monitor.
19645
19646 @item show rdiheartbeat
19647 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19648 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19649 @end table
19650
19651 @table @code
19652 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19653 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19654
19655 @table @code
19656 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19657 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19658 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19659 The default value is @code{all}.
19660
19661 @table @code
19662 @item none
19663 @item demon
19664 @item angel
19665 @item redboot
19666 @item all
19667 @end table
19668 @end table
19669 @end table
19670
19671 @node M32R/D
19672 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19673
19674 @table @code
19675 @kindex target m32r
19676 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19677 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19678
19679 @kindex target m32rsdi
19680 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19681 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19682 @end table
19683
19684 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19685
19686 @table @code
19687 @item set download-path @var{path}
19688 @kindex set download-path
19689 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19690 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19691
19692 @item show download-path
19693 @kindex show download-path
19694 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19695
19696 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19697 @kindex set board-address
19698 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19699 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19700
19701 @item show board-address
19702 @kindex show board-address
19703 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19704
19705 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19706 @kindex set server-address
19707 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19708 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19709 host machine.
19710
19711 @item show server-address
19712 @kindex show server-address
19713 Display the IP address of the download server.
19714
19715 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19716 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19717 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19718 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19719 executable file is uploaded.
19720
19721 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19722 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19723 Test the @code{upload} command.
19724 @end table
19725
19726 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19727
19728 @table @code
19729 @item sdireset
19730 @kindex sdireset
19731 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19732 This command resets the SDI connection.
19733
19734 @item sdistatus
19735 @kindex sdistatus
19736 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19737
19738 @item debug_chaos
19739 @kindex debug_chaos
19740 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19741 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19742
19743 @item use_debug_dma
19744 @kindex use_debug_dma
19745 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19746
19747 @item use_mon_code
19748 @kindex use_mon_code
19749 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19750
19751 @item use_ib_break
19752 @kindex use_ib_break
19753 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19754
19755 @item use_dbt_break
19756 @kindex use_dbt_break
19757 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19758 @end table
19759
19760 @node M68K
19761 @subsection M68k
19762
19763 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19764 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19765
19766 @table @code
19767
19768 @kindex target dbug
19769 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19770 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19771
19772 @end table
19773
19774 @node MicroBlaze
19775 @subsection MicroBlaze
19776 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19777 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19778
19779 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19780 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19781 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19782 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19783 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19784 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19785 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19786 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19787 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19788 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19789 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19790
19791 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19792
19793 @table @code
19794 @item target remote :1234
19795 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19796 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19797
19798 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19799 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19800 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19801
19802 @item load
19803 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19804
19805 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19806 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19807
19808 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19809 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19810 @end table
19811
19812 @node MIPS Embedded
19813 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
19814
19815 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
19816 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19817 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19818 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19819
19820 @need 1000
19821 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19822
19823 @table @code
19824 @item target mips @var{port}
19825 @kindex target mips @var{port}
19826 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
19827 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
19828 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
19829 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
19830 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
19831 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
19832
19833 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
19834 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
19835 debugger:
19836
19837 @smallexample
19838 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
19839 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
19840 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
19841 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
19842 (@value{GDBP}) run
19843 @end smallexample
19844
19845 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
19846 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
19847 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
19848 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
19849 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
19850
19851 @item target pmon @var{port}
19852 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
19853 PMON ROM monitor.
19854
19855 @item target ddb @var{port}
19856 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
19857 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
19858
19859 @item target lsi @var{port}
19860 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
19861 LSI variant of PMON.
19862
19863 @kindex target r3900
19864 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
19865 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
19866
19867 @kindex target array
19868 @item target array @var{dev}
19869 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
19870
19871 @end table
19872
19873
19874 @noindent
19875 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
19876
19877 @table @code
19878 @item set mipsfpu double
19879 @itemx set mipsfpu single
19880 @itemx set mipsfpu none
19881 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
19882 @itemx show mipsfpu
19883 @kindex set mipsfpu
19884 @kindex show mipsfpu
19885 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
19886 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
19887 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
19888 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
19889 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
19890 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
19891 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
19892 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
19893 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
19894 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
19895 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
19896 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
19897 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
19898
19899 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
19900 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
19901 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
19902
19903 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
19904 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
19905
19906 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
19907 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
19908 @itemx show timeout
19909 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
19910 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19911 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19912 @kindex set timeout
19913 @kindex show timeout
19914 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19915 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19916 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
19917 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19918 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19919 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19920 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19921 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19922 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19923 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
19924
19925 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19926 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19927 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19928 to run before stopping.
19929
19930 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19931 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19932 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
19933 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19934 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19935 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19936
19937 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19938 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19939 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19940 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19941
19942 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19943 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19944 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19945 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19946 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19947 @table @asis
19948 @item pmon target
19949 @samp{PMON}
19950 @item ddb target
19951 @samp{NEC010}
19952 @item lsi target
19953 @samp{PMON>}
19954 @end table
19955
19956 @item show monitor-prompt
19957 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19958 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19959 remote monitor.
19960
19961 @item set monitor-warnings
19962 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19963 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19964 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19965 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19966 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19967
19968 @item show monitor-warnings
19969 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19970 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19971
19972 @item pmon @var{command}
19973 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19974 @cindex send PMON command
19975 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19976 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19977 @end table
19978
19979 @node OpenRISC 1000
19980 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19981 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19982
19983 @cindex or1k boards
19984 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19985 about platform and commands.
19986
19987 @table @code
19988
19989 @kindex target jtag
19990 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19991
19992 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19993 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19994 connected via parallel port to the board.
19995
19996 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19997
19998 @kindex or1ksim
19999 @item or1ksim @var{command}
20000 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
20001 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
20002
20003 @kindex info or1k spr
20004 @item info or1k spr
20005 Displays spr groups.
20006
20007 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
20008 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
20009 Displays register names in selected group.
20010
20011 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
20012 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
20013 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
20014 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
20015 Shows information about specified spr register.
20016
20017 @kindex spr
20018 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
20019 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
20020 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
20021 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
20022 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
20023 @end table
20024
20025 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
20026 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
20027 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
20028 triggers can be set using:
20029 @table @code
20030 @item $LEA/$LDATA
20031 Load effective address/data
20032 @item $SEA/$SDATA
20033 Store effective address/data
20034 @item $AEA/$ADATA
20035 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
20036 @item $FETCH
20037 Fetch data
20038 @end table
20039
20040 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
20041 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
20042
20043 @code{htrace} commands:
20044 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
20045 @table @code
20046 @kindex hwatch
20047 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
20048 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
20049 or Data. For example:
20050
20051 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20052
20053 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20054
20055 @kindex htrace
20056 @item htrace info
20057 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
20058
20059 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
20060 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
20061
20062 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
20063 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
20064
20065 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
20066 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
20067
20068 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
20069 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
20070 triggered.
20071
20072 @item htrace enable
20073 @itemx htrace disable
20074 Enables/disables the HW trace.
20075
20076 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
20077 Clears currently recorded trace data.
20078
20079 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
20080 will be written there.
20081
20082 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
20083 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
20084
20085 @item htrace mode continuous
20086 Set continuous trace mode.
20087
20088 @item htrace mode suspend
20089 Set suspend trace mode.
20090
20091 @end table
20092
20093 @node PowerPC Embedded
20094 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20095
20096 @cindex DVC register
20097 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20098 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20099
20100 @smallexample
20101 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20102 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20103 @end smallexample
20104
20105 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20106 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20107 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20108 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20109 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20110 or newer.
20111
20112 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20113 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20114 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20115 watching variables of scalar types.
20116
20117 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20118 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20119
20120 @smallexample
20121 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20122 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20123 @end smallexample
20124
20125 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20126 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20127
20128 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20129 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20130 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20131 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20132 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20133 use the @code{break-range} command.
20134
20135 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20136
20137 @table @code
20138 @kindex break-range
20139 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20140 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20141 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20142 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20143 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20144 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20145 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20146 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20147 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20148
20149 @kindex set powerpc
20150 @item set powerpc soft-float
20151 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20152 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20153 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20154 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20155
20156 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20157 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20158 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20159 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20160 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20161 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20162 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20163 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20164
20165 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20166 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20167 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20168 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20169 address of its first byte.
20170
20171 @kindex target dink32
20172 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20173 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20174
20175 @kindex target ppcbug
20176 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20177 @kindex target ppcbug1
20178 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20179 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20180
20181 @kindex target sds
20182 @item target sds @var{dev}
20183 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20184 @end table
20185
20186 @cindex SDS protocol
20187 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20188 by @value{GDBN}:
20189
20190 @table @code
20191 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20192 @kindex set sdstimeout
20193 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20194 default is 2 seconds.
20195
20196 @item show sdstimeout
20197 @kindex show sdstimeout
20198 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20199
20200 @item sds @var{command}
20201 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20202 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20203 @end table
20204
20205
20206 @node PA
20207 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20208
20209 @table @code
20210
20211 @kindex target op50n
20212 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20213 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20214
20215 @kindex target w89k
20216 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20217 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20218
20219 @end table
20220
20221 @node Sparclet
20222 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20223
20224 @cindex Sparclet
20225
20226 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20227 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20228 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20229 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20230 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20231
20232 @table @code
20233 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20234 @kindex remotetimeout
20235 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20236 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20237 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20238 @end table
20239
20240 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20241 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20242 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20243 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20244 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20245
20246 @smallexample
20247 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20248 @end smallexample
20249
20250 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20251
20252 @smallexample
20253 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20254 @end smallexample
20255
20256 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20257 Once you have set
20258 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20259 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20260 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20261
20262 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20263
20264 @smallexample
20265 (gdbslet)
20266 @end smallexample
20267
20268 @menu
20269 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20270 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20271 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20272 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20273 @end menu
20274
20275 @node Sparclet File
20276 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20277
20278 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20279
20280 @smallexample
20281 (gdbslet) file prog
20282 @end smallexample
20283
20284 @need 1000
20285 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20286 @value{GDBN} locates
20287 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20288 path.
20289 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20290 files will be searched as well.
20291 @value{GDBN} locates
20292 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20293 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20294 If it fails
20295 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20296
20297 @smallexample
20298 prog: No such file or directory.
20299 @end smallexample
20300
20301 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20302 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20303 @code{target} command again.
20304
20305 @node Sparclet Connection
20306 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20307
20308 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20309 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20310
20311 @smallexample
20312 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20313 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20314 main () at ../prog.c:3
20315 @end smallexample
20316
20317 @need 750
20318 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20319
20320 @smallexample
20321 Connected to ttya.
20322 @end smallexample
20323
20324 @node Sparclet Download
20325 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20326
20327 @cindex download to Sparclet
20328 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20329 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20330 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20331 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20332 command.
20333 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20334 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20335 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20336 of each of the file's sections.
20337 For instance, if the program
20338 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20339 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20340
20341 @smallexample
20342 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20343 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20344 @end smallexample
20345
20346 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20347 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20348 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20349
20350 @node Sparclet Execution
20351 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20352
20353 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20354 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20355 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20356 manual for the list of commands.
20357
20358 @smallexample
20359 (gdbslet) b main
20360 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20361 (gdbslet) run
20362 Starting program: prog
20363 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20364 3 char *symarg = 0;
20365 (gdbslet) step
20366 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20367 (gdbslet)
20368 @end smallexample
20369
20370 @node Sparclite
20371 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20372
20373 @table @code
20374
20375 @kindex target sparclite
20376 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20377 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20378 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20379 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20380 remote protocol.
20381
20382 @end table
20383
20384 @node Z8000
20385 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20386
20387 @cindex Z8000
20388 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20389 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20390
20391 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20392 a Z8000 simulator.
20393
20394 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20395 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20396 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20397 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20398
20399 @table @code
20400 @item target sim @var{args}
20401 @kindex sim
20402 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20403 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20404 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20405 @end table
20406
20407 @noindent
20408 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20409 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20410 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20411 to run your program, and so on.
20412
20413 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20414 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20415 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20416
20417 @table @code
20418
20419 @item cycles
20420 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20421
20422 @item insts
20423 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20424
20425 @item time
20426 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20427
20428 @end table
20429
20430 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20431 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20432 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20433 simulated clock ticks.
20434
20435 @node AVR
20436 @subsection Atmel AVR
20437 @cindex AVR
20438
20439 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20440 following AVR-specific commands:
20441
20442 @table @code
20443 @item info io_registers
20444 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20445 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20446 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20447 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20448 @end table
20449
20450 @node CRIS
20451 @subsection CRIS
20452 @cindex CRIS
20453
20454 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20455 following CRIS-specific commands:
20456
20457 @table @code
20458 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20459 @cindex CRIS version
20460 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20461 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20462 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20463
20464 @item show cris-version
20465 Show the current CRIS version.
20466
20467 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20468 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20469 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20470 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20471 @code{R59}.
20472
20473 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20474 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20475
20476 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20477 @cindex CRIS mode
20478 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20479 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20480 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20481
20482 @item show cris-mode
20483 Show the current CRIS mode.
20484 @end table
20485
20486 @node Super-H
20487 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20488 @cindex Super-H
20489
20490 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20491 commands:
20492
20493 @table @code
20494 @item regs
20495 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
20496 This command is deprecated, and @code{info all-registers} should be
20497 used instead.
20498
20499 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
20500
20501 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20502 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20503 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20504 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20505 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20506 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20507 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20508 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20509 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20510 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20511 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20512 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20513
20514 @item show sh calling-convention
20515 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20516 Show the current calling convention setting.
20517
20518 @end table
20519
20520
20521 @node Architectures
20522 @section Architectures
20523
20524 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20525 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20526
20527 @menu
20528 * i386::
20529 * Alpha::
20530 * MIPS::
20531 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20532 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20533 * PowerPC::
20534 @end menu
20535
20536 @node i386
20537 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20538
20539 @table @code
20540 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20541 @kindex set struct-convention
20542 @cindex struct return convention
20543 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20544 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20545 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20546 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20547 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20548 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20549 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20550 be returned in a register.
20551
20552 @item show struct-convention
20553 @kindex show struct-convention
20554 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20555 from functions.
20556 @end table
20557
20558 @node Alpha
20559 @subsection Alpha
20560
20561 See the following section.
20562
20563 @node MIPS
20564 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20565
20566 @cindex stack on Alpha
20567 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20568 @cindex Alpha stack
20569 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20570 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20571 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20572 find the beginning of a function.
20573
20574 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20575 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20576 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20577 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20578 commands:
20579
20580 @table @code
20581 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20582 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20583 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20584 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20585 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20586 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20587 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20588 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20589
20590 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20591 Display the current limit.
20592 @end table
20593
20594 @noindent
20595 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20596 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20597
20598 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20599 programs:
20600
20601 @table @code
20602 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20603 @kindex set mips abi
20604 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20605 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20606 values of @var{arg} are:
20607
20608 @table @samp
20609 @item auto
20610 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20611 default).
20612 @item o32
20613 @item o64
20614 @item n32
20615 @item n64
20616 @item eabi32
20617 @item eabi64
20618 @end table
20619
20620 @item show mips abi
20621 @kindex show mips abi
20622 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20623
20624 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20625 @kindex set mips compression
20626 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20627 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20628 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20629 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20630 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20631 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20632 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20633 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20634 provided by the executable.
20635
20636 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20637 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20638 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20639 identified as such.
20640
20641 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20642 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20643 implicitly from an executable.
20644
20645 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20646 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20647 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20648 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20649 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20650
20651 @item show mips compression
20652 @kindex show mips compression
20653 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20654 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20655
20656 @item set mipsfpu
20657 @itemx show mipsfpu
20658 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20659
20660 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20661 @kindex set mips mask-address
20662 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20663 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20664 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20665 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20666 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20667
20668 @item show mips mask-address
20669 @kindex show mips mask-address
20670 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20671 not.
20672
20673 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20674 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20675 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20676 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20677 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20678 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20679
20680 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20681 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20682 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20683
20684 @item set debug mips
20685 @kindex set debug mips
20686 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20687 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20688
20689 @item show debug mips
20690 @kindex show debug mips
20691 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
20692 @end table
20693
20694
20695 @node HPPA
20696 @subsection HPPA
20697 @cindex HPPA support
20698
20699 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20700 following special commands:
20701
20702 @table @code
20703 @item set debug hppa
20704 @kindex set debug hppa
20705 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20706 messages are to be displayed.
20707
20708 @item show debug hppa
20709 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20710
20711 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20712 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20713 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20714 given @var{address}.
20715
20716 @end table
20717
20718
20719 @node SPU
20720 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20721 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20722 @cindex SPU
20723
20724 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20725 it provides the following special commands:
20726
20727 @table @code
20728 @item info spu event
20729 @kindex info spu
20730 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20731 and pending event status.
20732
20733 @item info spu signal
20734 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20735 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20736 notification channels.
20737
20738 @item info spu mailbox
20739 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20740 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20741 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20742
20743 @item info spu dma
20744 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20745 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20746 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20747
20748 @item info spu proxydma
20749 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20750 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20751 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20752
20753 @end table
20754
20755 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20756 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20757 special commands:
20758
20759 @table @code
20760 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20761 @kindex set spu
20762 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20763 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20764 function. The default is @code{off}.
20765
20766 @item show spu stop-on-load
20767 @kindex show spu
20768 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20769
20770 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20771 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20772 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20773 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20774 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20775 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20776
20777 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20778 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20779
20780 @end table
20781
20782 @node PowerPC
20783 @subsection PowerPC
20784 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20785
20786 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20787 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20788 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20789 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20790 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20791
20792 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20793 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20794 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20795
20796 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20797 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20798
20799
20800 @node Controlling GDB
20801 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20802
20803 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20804 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20805 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20806 described here.
20807
20808 @menu
20809 * Prompt:: Prompt
20810 * Editing:: Command editing
20811 * Command History:: Command history
20812 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20813 * Numbers:: Numbers
20814 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20815 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
20816 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20817 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20818 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20819 @end menu
20820
20821 @node Prompt
20822 @section Prompt
20823
20824 @cindex prompt
20825
20826 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20827 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20828 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20829 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20830 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20831 which one you are talking to.
20832
20833 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
20834 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
20835 or a prompt that does not.
20836
20837 @table @code
20838 @kindex set prompt
20839 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
20840 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
20841
20842 @kindex show prompt
20843 @item show prompt
20844 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
20845 @end table
20846
20847 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
20848 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
20849 are:
20850
20851 @table @code
20852 @kindex set extended-prompt
20853 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
20854 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
20855 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
20856 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
20857 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
20858 is displayed.
20859
20860 For example:
20861
20862 @smallexample
20863 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
20864 @end smallexample
20865
20866 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
20867 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
20868
20869 @kindex show extended-prompt
20870 @item show extended-prompt
20871 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
20872 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
20873 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
20874 @end table
20875
20876 @node Editing
20877 @section Command Editing
20878 @cindex readline
20879 @cindex command line editing
20880
20881 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
20882 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
20883 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
20884 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
20885 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
20886 debugging sessions.
20887
20888 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
20889 command @code{set}.
20890
20891 @table @code
20892 @kindex set editing
20893 @cindex editing
20894 @item set editing
20895 @itemx set editing on
20896 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
20897
20898 @item set editing off
20899 Disable command line editing.
20900
20901 @kindex show editing
20902 @item show editing
20903 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
20904 @end table
20905
20906 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20907 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
20908 @end ifset
20909 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20910 @xref{Command Line Editing},
20911 @end ifclear
20912 for more details about the Readline
20913 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
20914 encouraged to read that chapter.
20915
20916 @node Command History
20917 @section Command History
20918 @cindex command history
20919
20920 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
20921 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
20922 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20923 history facility.
20924
20925 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20926 package, to provide the history facility.
20927 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20928 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20929 @end ifset
20930 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20931 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20932 @end ifclear
20933 for the detailed description of the History library.
20934
20935 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20936 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20937 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20938 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20939 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20940 pressed on a line by itself.
20941
20942 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20943 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20944 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20945 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20946
20947 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20948 history.
20949
20950 @table @code
20951 @cindex history substitution
20952 @cindex history file
20953 @kindex set history filename
20954 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20955 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20956 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20957 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20958 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20959 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20960 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20961 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20962 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20963 is not set.
20964
20965 @cindex save command history
20966 @kindex set history save
20967 @item set history save
20968 @itemx set history save on
20969 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20970 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20971
20972 @item set history save off
20973 Stop recording command history in a file.
20974
20975 @cindex history size
20976 @kindex set history size
20977 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20978 @item set history size @var{size}
20979 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20980 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20981 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20982 @end table
20983
20984 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20985 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20986 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20987 @end ifset
20988 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20989 @xref{Event Designators},
20990 @end ifclear
20991 for more details.
20992
20993 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20994 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20995 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20996 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20997 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20998 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20999 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21000 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21001
21002 The commands to control history expansion are:
21003
21004 @table @code
21005 @item set history expansion on
21006 @itemx set history expansion
21007 @kindex set history expansion
21008 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21009
21010 @item set history expansion off
21011 Disable history expansion.
21012
21013 @c @group
21014 @kindex show history
21015 @item show history
21016 @itemx show history filename
21017 @itemx show history save
21018 @itemx show history size
21019 @itemx show history expansion
21020 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21021 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21022 @c @end group
21023 @end table
21024
21025 @table @code
21026 @kindex show commands
21027 @cindex show last commands
21028 @cindex display command history
21029 @item show commands
21030 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21031
21032 @item show commands @var{n}
21033 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21034
21035 @item show commands +
21036 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21037 @end table
21038
21039 @node Screen Size
21040 @section Screen Size
21041 @cindex size of screen
21042 @cindex pauses in output
21043
21044 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21045 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21046 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21047 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21048 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21049 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21050 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21051 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21052
21053 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21054 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21055 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21056 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21057 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21058 width} commands:
21059
21060 @table @code
21061 @kindex set height
21062 @kindex set width
21063 @kindex show width
21064 @kindex show height
21065 @item set height @var{lpp}
21066 @itemx show height
21067 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21068 @itemx show width
21069 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21070 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21071 commands display the current settings.
21072
21073 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
21074 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
21075 file or to an editor buffer.
21076
21077 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
21078 from wrapping its output.
21079
21080 @item set pagination on
21081 @itemx set pagination off
21082 @kindex set pagination
21083 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21084 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
21085 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21086 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21087
21088 @item show pagination
21089 @kindex show pagination
21090 Show the current pagination mode.
21091 @end table
21092
21093 @node Numbers
21094 @section Numbers
21095 @cindex number representation
21096 @cindex entering numbers
21097
21098 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21099 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21100 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21101 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21102 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21103 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21104 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21105 both input and output with the commands described below.
21106
21107 @table @code
21108 @kindex set input-radix
21109 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21110 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21111 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21112 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21113 example, any of
21114
21115 @smallexample
21116 set input-radix 012
21117 set input-radix 10.
21118 set input-radix 0xa
21119 @end smallexample
21120
21121 @noindent
21122 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21123 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21124 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21125 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21126 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21127 change the radix.
21128
21129 @kindex set output-radix
21130 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21131 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21132 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21133 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21134
21135 @kindex show input-radix
21136 @item show input-radix
21137 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21138
21139 @kindex show output-radix
21140 @item show output-radix
21141 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21142
21143 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21144 @itemx show radix
21145 @kindex set radix
21146 @kindex show radix
21147 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21148 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21149 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21150 default value of 10.
21151
21152 @end table
21153
21154 @node ABI
21155 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21156
21157 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21158 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21159 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21160 current ABI.
21161
21162 @cindex OS ABI
21163 @kindex set osabi
21164 @kindex show osabi
21165
21166 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21167 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21168 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21169 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21170 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21171 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21172 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21173 platform provides.
21174
21175 @table @code
21176 @item show osabi
21177 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21178
21179 @item set osabi
21180 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21181
21182 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21183 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21184 @end table
21185
21186 @cindex float promotion
21187
21188 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21189 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21190 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21191 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21192 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21193 @code{double} and then passed.
21194
21195 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21196 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21197 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21198
21199 @table @code
21200 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21201 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21202 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21203 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21204 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21205
21206 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21207 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21208 functions.
21209
21210 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21211 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21212 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21213 @end table
21214
21215 @kindex set cp-abi
21216 @kindex show cp-abi
21217 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21218 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21219 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21220 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21221 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21222 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21223 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21224 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21225 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21226 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21227 ``auto''.
21228
21229 @table @code
21230 @item show cp-abi
21231 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21232
21233 @item set cp-abi
21234 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21235
21236 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21237 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21238 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21239 @end table
21240
21241 @node Auto-loading
21242 @section Automatically loading associated files
21243 @cindex auto-loading
21244
21245 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21246 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21247 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21248 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21249 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21250 sources).
21251
21252 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21253 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21254 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21255
21256 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21257 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21258
21259 @table @code
21260 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21261 @kindex set auto-load off
21262 @item set auto-load off
21263 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21264 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21265 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21266 @smallexample
21267 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21268 @end smallexample
21269
21270 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21271 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21272 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21273 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21274 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21275 @code{set auto-load no}.
21276
21277 @anchor{show auto-load}
21278 @kindex show auto-load
21279 @item show auto-load
21280 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21281 or disabled.
21282
21283 @smallexample
21284 (gdb) show auto-load
21285 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21286 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21287 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21288 is on.
21289 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21290 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21291 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21292 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21293 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21294 @end smallexample
21295
21296 @anchor{info auto-load}
21297 @kindex info auto-load
21298 @item info auto-load
21299 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21300 not.
21301
21302 @smallexample
21303 (gdb) info auto-load
21304 gdb-scripts:
21305 Loaded Script
21306 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21307 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21308 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21309 loaded.
21310 python-scripts:
21311 Loaded Script
21312 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21313 @end smallexample
21314 @end table
21315
21316 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21317
21318 @itemize @bullet
21319 @item
21320 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21321 @item
21322 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21323 @item
21324 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21325 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21326 @item
21327 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21328 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21329 @item
21330 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21331 @end itemize
21332
21333 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21334
21335 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21336 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21337 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21338 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21339 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21340 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21341 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21342 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21343 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21344 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21345 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21346 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21347 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21348 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21349 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21350 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21351 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21352 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21353 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21354 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21355 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21356 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21357 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21358 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21359 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21360 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21361 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21362 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21363 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21364 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21365 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21366 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21367 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21368 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21369 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21370 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21371 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21372 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21373 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21374 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21375 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21376 @end multitable
21377
21378 @menu
21379 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21380 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21381 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21382 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21383 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21384 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21385 @end menu
21386
21387 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21388 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21389 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21390
21391 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21392 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21393 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21394
21395 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21396 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21397
21398 @table @code
21399 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21400 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21401 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21402 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21403 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21404
21405 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21406 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21407 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21408 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21409 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21410
21411 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21412 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21413 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21414 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21415 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21416 @end table
21417
21418 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21419 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21420 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21421
21422 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21423
21424 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21425 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21426
21427 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21428 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21429 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21430 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21431 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21432 library.
21433
21434 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21435 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21436
21437 @table @code
21438 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21439 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21440 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21441 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21442
21443 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21444 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21445 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21446 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21447 enabled or disabled.
21448
21449 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21450 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21451 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21452 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21453 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21454 @end table
21455
21456 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21457 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21458 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21459
21460 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21461 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21462 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21463
21464 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21465 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21466
21467 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21468 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21469
21470 @table @code
21471 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21472 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21473 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21474 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21475
21476 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21477 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21478 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21479 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21480 disabled.
21481
21482 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21483 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21484 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21485 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21486 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21487 auto-loaded.
21488 @end table
21489
21490 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21491 matching names are printed.
21492
21493 @node Auto-loading safe path
21494 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21495 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21496
21497 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21498 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21499 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21500 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21501 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21502
21503 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21504 get loaded:
21505
21506 @smallexample
21507 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21508 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21509 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21510 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21511 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21512 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21513 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21514 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21515 @end smallexample
21516
21517 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21518
21519 @table @code
21520 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21521 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21522 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21523 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21524 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21525 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21526 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21527 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21528 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21529 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21530
21531 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21532 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21533 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21534
21535 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21536 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21537 @item show auto-load safe-path
21538 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21539 scripts.
21540
21541 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21542 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21543 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21544 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21545 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21546 host platform path separator in use.
21547 @end table
21548
21549 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21550 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21551 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21552 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21553 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21554
21555 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21556 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21557 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21558 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21559 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21560 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21561 init file in the current directory
21562 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21563
21564 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21565 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21566
21567 @table @asis
21568 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21569 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21570 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21571 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21572
21573 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21574 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21575 @value{GDBN} session.
21576
21577 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21578 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21579 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21580 from trusted sources.
21581
21582 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21583 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21584 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21585 trusted sources.
21586 @end table
21587
21588 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21589 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21590
21591 @table @asis
21592 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21593 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21594
21595 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21596 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21597 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21598 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21599 @end table
21600
21601 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21602 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21603 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21604 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21605 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21606 recommended to be entered.
21607
21608 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21609 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21610 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21611
21612 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21613 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21614 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21615 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21616 be printed.
21617
21618 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21619 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21620 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21621
21622 @smallexample
21623 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21624 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21625 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21626 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21627 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21628 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21629 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21630 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21631 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21632 @end smallexample
21633
21634 @table @code
21635 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21636 @kindex set debug auto-load
21637 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21638 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21639
21640 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21641 @kindex show debug auto-load
21642 @item show debug auto-load
21643 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21644 on or off.
21645 @end table
21646
21647 @node Messages/Warnings
21648 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21649
21650 @cindex verbose operation
21651 @cindex optional warnings
21652 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21653 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21654 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21655 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21656
21657 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21658 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21659 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21660
21661 @table @code
21662 @kindex set verbose
21663 @item set verbose on
21664 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21665
21666 @item set verbose off
21667 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21668
21669 @kindex show verbose
21670 @item show verbose
21671 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
21672 @end table
21673
21674 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
21675 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
21676 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
21677 Symbol Files}).
21678
21679 @table @code
21680
21681 @kindex set complaints
21682 @item set complaints @var{limit}
21683 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
21684 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
21685 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
21686 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
21687
21688 @kindex show complaints
21689 @item show complaints
21690 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
21691
21692 @end table
21693
21694 @anchor{confirmation requests}
21695 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
21696 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
21697 you try to run a program which is already running:
21698
21699 @smallexample
21700 (@value{GDBP}) run
21701 The program being debugged has been started already.
21702 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
21703 @end smallexample
21704
21705 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
21706 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
21707
21708 @table @code
21709
21710 @kindex set confirm
21711 @cindex flinching
21712 @cindex confirmation
21713 @cindex stupid questions
21714 @item set confirm off
21715 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
21716 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
21717 automatically disables confirmation requests.
21718
21719 @item set confirm on
21720 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
21721
21722 @kindex show confirm
21723 @item show confirm
21724 Displays state of confirmation requests.
21725
21726 @end table
21727
21728 @cindex command tracing
21729 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
21730 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
21731 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
21732 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
21733
21734 @table @code
21735 @kindex set trace-commands
21736 @cindex command scripts, debugging
21737 @item set trace-commands on
21738 Enable command tracing.
21739 @item set trace-commands off
21740 Disable command tracing.
21741 @item show trace-commands
21742 Display the current state of command tracing.
21743 @end table
21744
21745 @node Debugging Output
21746 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
21747 @cindex optional debugging messages
21748
21749 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
21750 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
21751 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
21752 section documents those commands.
21753
21754 @table @code
21755 @kindex set exec-done-display
21756 @item set exec-done-display
21757 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
21758 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
21759 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
21760 @kindex show exec-done-display
21761 @item show exec-done-display
21762 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
21763 notification.
21764 @kindex set debug
21765 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
21766 @cindex architecture debugging info
21767 @item set debug arch
21768 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
21769 @kindex show debug
21770 @item show debug arch
21771 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
21772 @item set debug aix-thread
21773 @cindex AIX threads
21774 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
21775 module.
21776 @item show debug aix-thread
21777 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
21778 @item set debug check-physname
21779 @cindex physname
21780 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
21781 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
21782 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
21783 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
21784 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
21785 both ways and display any discrepancies.
21786 @item show debug check-physname
21787 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
21788 @item set debug dwarf2-die
21789 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
21790 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
21791 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
21792 A value of zero turns off the display.
21793 @item show debug dwarf2-die
21794 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
21795 @item set debug dwarf2-read
21796 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
21797 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
21798 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
21799 @item show debug dwarf2-read
21800 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
21801 @item set debug displaced
21802 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
21803 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
21804 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
21805 @item show debug displaced
21806 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
21807 related to displaced stepping.
21808 @item set debug event
21809 @cindex event debugging info
21810 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
21811 default is off.
21812 @item show debug event
21813 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
21814 info.
21815 @item set debug expression
21816 @cindex expression debugging info
21817 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
21818 expression parsing. The default is off.
21819 @item show debug expression
21820 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
21821 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
21822 @item set debug frame
21823 @cindex frame debugging info
21824 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
21825 default is off.
21826 @item show debug frame
21827 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
21828 info.
21829 @item set debug gnu-nat
21830 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
21831 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
21832 @item show debug gnu-nat
21833 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
21834 @item set debug infrun
21835 @cindex inferior debugging info
21836 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
21837 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
21838 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
21839 @item show debug infrun
21840 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
21841 @item set debug jit
21842 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
21843 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
21844 @item show debug jit
21845 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
21846 @item set debug lin-lwp
21847 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
21848 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
21849 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
21850 @item show debug lin-lwp
21851 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
21852 @item set debug observer
21853 @cindex observer debugging info
21854 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
21855 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
21856 @item show debug observer
21857 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
21858 @item set debug overload
21859 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
21860 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
21861 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
21862 is off.
21863 @item show debug overload
21864 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
21865 debugging info.
21866 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
21867 @cindex debug expression parser
21868 @item set debug parser
21869 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
21870 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
21871 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
21872 details. The default is off.
21873 @item show debug parser
21874 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
21875 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
21876 @cindex serial connections, debugging
21877 @cindex debug remote protocol
21878 @cindex remote protocol debugging
21879 @cindex display remote packets
21880 @item set debug remote
21881 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
21882 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
21883 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
21884 @item show debug remote
21885 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
21886 @item set debug serial
21887 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
21888 default is off.
21889 @item show debug serial
21890 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
21891 info.
21892 @item set debug solib-frv
21893 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
21894 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
21895 @item show debug solib-frv
21896 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
21897 messages.
21898 @item set debug symtab-create
21899 @cindex symbol table creation
21900 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
21901 The default is off.
21902 @item show debug symtab-create
21903 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
21904 @item set debug target
21905 @cindex target debugging info
21906 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
21907 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
21908 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
21909 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
21910 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
21911 @item show debug target
21912 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
21913 info.
21914 @item set debug timestamp
21915 @cindex timestampping debugging info
21916 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
21917 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
21918 message.
21919 @item show debug timestamp
21920 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
21921 debugging info.
21922 @item set debugvarobj
21923 @cindex variable object debugging info
21924 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
21925 info. The default is off.
21926 @item show debugvarobj
21927 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
21928 debugging info.
21929 @item set debug xml
21930 @cindex XML parser debugging
21931 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
21932 @item show debug xml
21933 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
21934 @end table
21935
21936 @node Other Misc Settings
21937 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
21938 @cindex miscellaneous settings
21939
21940 @table @code
21941 @kindex set interactive-mode
21942 @item set interactive-mode
21943 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
21944 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
21945 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
21946 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
21947 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
21948 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
21949 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
21950 is, non-interactively otherwise.
21951
21952 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
21953 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
21954 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
21955 inside a cygwin window.
21956
21957 @kindex show interactive-mode
21958 @item show interactive-mode
21959 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
21960 @end table
21961
21962 @node Extending GDB
21963 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
21964 @cindex extending GDB
21965
21966 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
21967 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
21968 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
21969 existing commands.
21970
21971 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
21972 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
21973 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
21974 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
21975 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21976 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
21977
21978 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
21979 setting:
21980
21981 @table @code
21982 @kindex set script-extension
21983 @kindex show script-extension
21984 @item set script-extension off
21985 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21986
21987 @item set script-extension soft
21988 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21989 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
21990 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
21991 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
21992
21993 @item set script-extension strict
21994 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21995 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
21996 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
21997
21998 @item show script-extension
21999 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22000
22001 @end table
22002
22003 @menu
22004 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22005 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22006 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22007 @end menu
22008
22009 @node Sequences
22010 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22011
22012 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22013 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22014 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22015 files.
22016
22017 @menu
22018 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22019 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22020 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22021 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22022 @end menu
22023
22024 @node Define
22025 @subsection User-defined Commands
22026
22027 @cindex user-defined command
22028 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22029 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22030 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22031 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22032 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22033 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22034
22035 @smallexample
22036 define adder
22037 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22038 end
22039 @end smallexample
22040
22041 @noindent
22042 To execute the command use:
22043
22044 @smallexample
22045 adder 1 2 3
22046 @end smallexample
22047
22048 @noindent
22049 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22050 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22051 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22052 functions calls.
22053
22054 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22055 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22056 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22057 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22058
22059 @smallexample
22060 define adder
22061 if $argc == 2
22062 print $arg0 + $arg1
22063 end
22064 if $argc == 3
22065 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22066 end
22067 end
22068 @end smallexample
22069
22070 @table @code
22071
22072 @kindex define
22073 @item define @var{commandname}
22074 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22075 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22076 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22077 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22078 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22079 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22080
22081 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22082 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22083 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22084
22085 @kindex document
22086 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22087 @item document @var{commandname}
22088 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22089 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22090 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22091 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22092 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22093 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22094
22095 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22096 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22097 does not change the documentation.
22098
22099 @kindex dont-repeat
22100 @cindex don't repeat command
22101 @item dont-repeat
22102 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22103 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22104 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22105
22106 @kindex help user-defined
22107 @item help user-defined
22108 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22109 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22110 included (if any).
22111
22112 @kindex show user
22113 @item show user
22114 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22115 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22116 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22117 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22118 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22119
22120 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22121 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22122 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22123 @item show max-user-call-depth
22124 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22125 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22126 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22127 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22128 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22129 @end table
22130
22131 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22132 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22133
22134 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22135 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22136 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22137
22138 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22139 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22140 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22141 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22142
22143 @node Hooks
22144 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22145 @cindex command hooks
22146 @cindex hooks, for commands
22147 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22148
22149 @kindex hook
22150 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22151 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22152 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22153 before that command.
22154
22155 @cindex hooks, post-command
22156 @kindex hookpost
22157 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22158 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22159 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22160 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22161 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22162
22163 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22164 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22165
22166 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22167 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22168
22169 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22170 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22171 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22172 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22173 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22174
22175 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22176 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22177 you could define:
22178
22179 @smallexample
22180 define hook-stop
22181 handle SIGALRM nopass
22182 end
22183
22184 define hook-run
22185 handle SIGALRM pass
22186 end
22187
22188 define hook-continue
22189 handle SIGALRM pass
22190 end
22191 @end smallexample
22192
22193 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22194 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22195 you could define:
22196
22197 @smallexample
22198 define hook-echo
22199 echo <<<---
22200 end
22201
22202 define hookpost-echo
22203 echo --->>>\n
22204 end
22205
22206 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22207 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22208 (@value{GDBP})
22209
22210 @end smallexample
22211
22212 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22213 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22214 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22215 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22216 @c or not?
22217 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22218 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22219 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22220
22221 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22222 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22223 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22224
22225 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22226 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22227
22228 @node Command Files
22229 @subsection Command Files
22230
22231 @cindex command files
22232 @cindex scripting commands
22233 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22234 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22235 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22236 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22237 terminal.
22238
22239 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22240 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22241 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22242 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22243 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22244
22245 @table @code
22246 @kindex source
22247 @cindex execute commands from a file
22248 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22249 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22250 @end table
22251
22252 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22253 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22254 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22255 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22256 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22257
22258 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22259 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22260 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22261 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22262 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22263 is not relevant to scripts.
22264
22265 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22266 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22267 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22268 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22269 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22270 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22271 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22272 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22273 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22274 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22275 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22276 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22277 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22278 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22279
22280 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22281 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22282 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22283
22284 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22285 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22286 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22287 when called from command files.
22288
22289 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22290 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22291 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22292 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22293 the next command.
22294
22295 @smallexample
22296 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22297 @end smallexample
22298
22299 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22300 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22301 would be directed to @file{log}.
22302
22303 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22304 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22305 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22306 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22307 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22308 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22309 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22310 conditionally, etc.
22311
22312 @table @code
22313 @kindex if
22314 @kindex else
22315 @item if
22316 @itemx else
22317 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22318 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22319 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22320 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22321 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22322 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22323 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22324
22325 @kindex while
22326 @item while
22327 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22328 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22329 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22330 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22331 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22332 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22333
22334 @kindex loop_break
22335 @item loop_break
22336 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22337 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22338 line.
22339
22340 @kindex loop_continue
22341 @item loop_continue
22342 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22343 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22344 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22345 the controlling expression.
22346
22347 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22348 @item end
22349 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22350 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22351 @end table
22352
22353
22354 @node Output
22355 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22356
22357 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22358 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22359 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22360 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22361 want.
22362
22363 @table @code
22364 @kindex echo
22365 @item echo @var{text}
22366 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22367 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22368 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22369 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22370 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22371 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22372 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22373 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22374 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22375 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22376 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22377
22378 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22379 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22380
22381 @smallexample
22382 echo This is some text\n\
22383 which is continued\n\
22384 onto several lines.\n
22385 @end smallexample
22386
22387 produces the same output as
22388
22389 @smallexample
22390 echo This is some text\n
22391 echo which is continued\n
22392 echo onto several lines.\n
22393 @end smallexample
22394
22395 @kindex output
22396 @item output @var{expression}
22397 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22398 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22399 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22400 on expressions.
22401
22402 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22403 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22404 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22405 Formats}, for more information.
22406
22407 @kindex printf
22408 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22409 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22410 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22411 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22412 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22413 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22414 executing the code below:
22415
22416 @smallexample
22417 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22418 @end smallexample
22419
22420 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22421 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22422 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22423 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22424 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22425 printed.
22426
22427 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22428
22429 @smallexample
22430 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22431 @end smallexample
22432
22433 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22434 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22435 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22436
22437 @itemize @bullet
22438 @item
22439 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22440
22441 @item
22442 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22443 width.
22444
22445 @item
22446 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22447 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22448
22449 @item
22450 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22451 supported.
22452
22453 @item
22454 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22455
22456 @item
22457 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22458 @end itemize
22459
22460 @noindent
22461 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22462 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22463 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22464 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22465
22466 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22467 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22468 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22469 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22470 supported.
22471
22472 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22473 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22474 together with a floating point specifier.
22475 letters:
22476
22477 @itemize @bullet
22478 @item
22479 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22480
22481 @item
22482 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22483
22484 @item
22485 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22486 @end itemize
22487
22488 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22489 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22490 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22491
22492 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22493 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22494
22495 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22496 @smallexample
22497 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22498 @end smallexample
22499
22500 @kindex eval
22501 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22502 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22503 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22504
22505 @end table
22506
22507 @node Python
22508 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22509 @cindex python scripting
22510 @cindex scripting with python
22511
22512 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22513 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22514 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22515
22516 @cindex python directory
22517 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22518 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22519 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22520 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22521 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22522 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22523
22524 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22525 are written in Python and are located in the
22526 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22527 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22528 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22529
22530 @menu
22531 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22532 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22533 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22534 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22535 @end menu
22536
22537 @node Python Commands
22538 @subsection Python Commands
22539 @cindex python commands
22540 @cindex commands to access python
22541
22542 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
22543 and one related setting:
22544
22545 @table @code
22546 @kindex python
22547 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
22548 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22549
22550 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22551 argument as a Python command. For example:
22552
22553 @smallexample
22554 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22555 23
22556 @end smallexample
22557
22558 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22559 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22560 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22561 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22562 containing @code{end}. For example:
22563
22564 @smallexample
22565 (@value{GDBP}) python
22566 Type python script
22567 End with a line saying just "end".
22568 >print 23
22569 >end
22570 23
22571 @end smallexample
22572
22573 @kindex set python print-stack
22574 @item set python print-stack
22575 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22576 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22577 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22578 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22579 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22580 the message component of the error is printed.
22581 @end table
22582
22583 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22584 interpreter:
22585
22586 @table @code
22587 @item source @file{script-name}
22588 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22589 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22590 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22591
22592 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22593 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22594 and thus is always available.
22595 @end table
22596
22597 @node Python API
22598 @subsection Python API
22599 @cindex python api
22600 @cindex programming in python
22601
22602 @cindex python stdout
22603 @cindex python pagination
22604 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22605 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22606 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22607 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22608 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22609
22610 @menu
22611 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22612 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22613 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22614 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22615 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22616 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22617 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22618 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22619 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22620 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
22621 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
22622 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
22623 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
22624 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
22625 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
22626 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22627 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22628 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
22629 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
22630 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
22631 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
22632 using Python.
22633 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
22634 @end menu
22635
22636 @node Basic Python
22637 @subsubsection Basic Python
22638
22639 @cindex python functions
22640 @cindex python module
22641 @cindex gdb module
22642 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
22643 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
22644 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
22645 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
22646
22647 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
22648 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
22649 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
22650 @end defvar
22651
22652 @findex gdb.execute
22653 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
22654 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22655 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
22656 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
22657
22658 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
22659 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
22660 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
22661
22662 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
22663 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
22664 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
22665 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
22666 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
22667 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
22668 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
22669 @end defun
22670
22671 @findex gdb.breakpoints
22672 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
22673 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
22674 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
22675 @end defun
22676
22677 @findex gdb.parameter
22678 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
22679 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
22680 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
22681 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
22682 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
22683
22684 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
22685 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
22686 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
22687 type, and returned.
22688 @end defun
22689
22690 @findex gdb.history
22691 @defun gdb.history (number)
22692 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
22693 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
22694 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
22695 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
22696 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
22697 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
22698 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
22699 raised.
22700
22701 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
22702 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
22703 @end defun
22704
22705 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
22706 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
22707 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
22708 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22709 @var{expression} must be a string.
22710
22711 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
22712 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
22713 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
22714 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
22715 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22716 @end defun
22717
22718 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
22719 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
22720 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
22721 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
22722 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
22723 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
22724 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
22725 @end defun
22726
22727 @findex gdb.post_event
22728 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
22729 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
22730 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
22731 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
22732 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
22733 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
22734 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
22735
22736 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
22737 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
22738 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
22739 this. For example:
22740
22741 @smallexample
22742 (@value{GDBP}) python
22743 >import threading
22744 >
22745 >class Writer():
22746 > def __init__(self, message):
22747 > self.message = message;
22748 > def __call__(self):
22749 > gdb.write(self.message)
22750 >
22751 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
22752 > def run (self):
22753 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
22754 >
22755 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
22756 > def run (self):
22757 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
22758 >
22759 >MyThread1().start()
22760 >MyThread2().start()
22761 >end
22762 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
22763 @end smallexample
22764 @end defun
22765
22766 @findex gdb.write
22767 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
22768 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
22769 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
22770 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
22771 values are:
22772
22773 @table @code
22774 @findex STDOUT
22775 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22776 @item gdb.STDOUT
22777 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22778
22779 @findex STDERR
22780 @findex gdb.STDERR
22781 @item gdb.STDERR
22782 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22783
22784 @findex STDLOG
22785 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22786 @item gdb.STDLOG
22787 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22788 @end table
22789
22790 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22791 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
22792 relevant stream.
22793 @end defun
22794
22795 @findex gdb.flush
22796 @defun gdb.flush ()
22797 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
22798 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
22799 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
22800 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
22801 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
22802 stream values are:
22803
22804 @table @code
22805 @findex STDOUT
22806 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22807 @item gdb.STDOUT
22808 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22809
22810 @findex STDERR
22811 @findex gdb.STDERR
22812 @item gdb.STDERR
22813 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22814
22815 @findex STDLOG
22816 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22817 @item gdb.STDLOG
22818 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22819
22820 @end table
22821
22822 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22823 call this function for the relevant stream.
22824 @end defun
22825
22826 @findex gdb.target_charset
22827 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
22828 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
22829 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
22830 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
22831 @end defun
22832
22833 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
22834 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
22835 Return the name of the current target wide character set
22836 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
22837 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
22838 never returned.
22839 @end defun
22840
22841 @findex gdb.solib_name
22842 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
22843 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
22844 as a string, or @code{None}.
22845 @end defun
22846
22847 @findex gdb.decode_line
22848 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
22849 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
22850 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
22851 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
22852 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
22853 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
22854 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
22855 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
22856 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
22857 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
22858 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
22859 @end defun
22860
22861 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
22862 @anchor{prompt_hook}
22863
22864 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
22865 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
22866 @value{GDBN}.
22867
22868 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
22869 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
22870 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
22871 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
22872 the current prompt.
22873
22874 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
22875 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
22876 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
22877 @end defun
22878
22879 @node Exception Handling
22880 @subsubsection Exception Handling
22881 @cindex python exceptions
22882 @cindex exceptions, python
22883
22884 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
22885 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
22886 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
22887 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
22888 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
22889 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
22890 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
22891
22892 @smallexample
22893 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
22894 Traceback (most recent call last):
22895 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
22896 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
22897 @end smallexample
22898
22899 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
22900 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
22901 Python exception depends on the error.
22902
22903 @ftable @code
22904 @item gdb.error
22905 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
22906 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
22907 versions of @value{GDBN}.
22908
22909 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
22910 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
22911
22912 @item gdb.MemoryError
22913 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
22914 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
22915
22916 @item KeyboardInterrupt
22917 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
22918 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
22919 @end ftable
22920
22921 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
22922 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
22923 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
22924 traceback.
22925
22926 @findex gdb.GdbError
22927 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
22928 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
22929 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
22930 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
22931 to handle this case. Example:
22932
22933 @smallexample
22934 (gdb) python
22935 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22936 > """Greet the whole world."""
22937 > def __init__ (self):
22938 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
22939 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
22940 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
22941 > if len (argv) != 0:
22942 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
22943 > print "Hello, World!"
22944 >HelloWorld ()
22945 >end
22946 (gdb) hello-world 42
22947 hello-world takes no arguments
22948 @end smallexample
22949
22950 @node Values From Inferior
22951 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
22952 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
22953 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
22954
22955 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
22956 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
22957 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
22958 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
22959 fetching values when necessary.
22960
22961 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
22962 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
22963 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
22964
22965 @smallexample
22966 bar = some_val + 2
22967 @end smallexample
22968
22969 @noindent
22970 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
22971 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
22972
22973 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
22974 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
22975 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
22976 can access its @code{foo} element with:
22977
22978 @smallexample
22979 bar = some_val['foo']
22980 @end smallexample
22981
22982 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
22983
22984 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
22985 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
22986 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
22987 by that prototype.
22988
22989 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
22990 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
22991 execute this function, call it like so:
22992
22993 @smallexample
22994 result = some_val (10,20)
22995 @end smallexample
22996
22997 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
22998 @code{gdb.Value}.
22999
23000 The following attributes are provided:
23001
23002 @table @code
23003 @defvar Value.address
23004 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23005 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23006 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23007 @end defvar
23008
23009 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23010 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23011 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23012 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23013 @end defvar
23014
23015 @defvar Value.type
23016 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23017 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23018 @end defvar
23019
23020 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23021 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23022 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23023 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23024 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23025 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23026 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23027 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23028 type.
23029
23030 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23031 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23032 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23033 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23034 @end defvar
23035
23036 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23037 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23038 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23039 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23040 For example:
23041
23042 @smallexample
23043 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23044 @end smallexample
23045
23046 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23047 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23048 method is invoked.
23049 @end defvar
23050 @end table
23051
23052 The following methods are provided:
23053
23054 @table @code
23055 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23056 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23057 this object initializer. Specifically:
23058
23059 @table @asis
23060 @item Python boolean
23061 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23062 language.
23063
23064 @item Python integer
23065 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23066 current architecture.
23067
23068 @item Python long
23069 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23070 current architecture.
23071
23072 @item Python float
23073 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23074 current architecture.
23075
23076 @item Python string
23077 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23078 target encoding.
23079
23080 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23081 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23082
23083 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23084 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23085 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23086 its result is used.
23087 @end table
23088 @end defun
23089
23090 @defun Value.cast (type)
23091 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23092 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23093 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23094 reason, this method throws an exception.
23095 @end defun
23096
23097 @defun Value.dereference ()
23098 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23099 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23100 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23101
23102 @smallexample
23103 int *foo;
23104 @end smallexample
23105
23106 @noindent
23107 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23108 @code{foo} points to like this:
23109
23110 @smallexample
23111 bar = foo.dereference ()
23112 @end smallexample
23113
23114 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23115 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23116
23117 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23118 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23119 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23120 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23121 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23122 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23123 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23124 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23125 as
23126
23127 @smallexample
23128 typedef int *intptr;
23129 ...
23130 int val = 10;
23131 intptr ptr = &val;
23132 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23133 @end smallexample
23134
23135 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23136 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23137 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23138 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23139 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23140 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23141
23142 @smallexample
23143 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23144 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23145 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23146 @end smallexample
23147
23148 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23149 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23150 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23151 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23152 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23153 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23154 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23155 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23156 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23157 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23158 @end defun
23159
23160 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23161 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23162 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23163 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23164 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23165 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23166 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23167 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23168 in your C@t{++} program as
23169
23170 @smallexample
23171 int val = 10;
23172 int &ref = val;
23173 @end smallexample
23174
23175 @noindent
23176 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23177 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23178 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23179 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23180
23181 @smallexample
23182 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23183 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23184 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23185 @end smallexample
23186
23187 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23188 corresponding to @code{val}.
23189 @end defun
23190
23191 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23192 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23193 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23194 @end defun
23195
23196 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23197 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23198 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23199 @end defun
23200
23201 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23202 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23203 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23204 throw an exception.
23205
23206 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23207 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23208 language.
23209
23210 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23211 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23212 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23213 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23214 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23215
23216 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23217 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23218 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23219 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23220 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23221 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23222 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23223 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23224 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23225
23226 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23227 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23228
23229 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23230 fetched and converted to the given length.
23231 @end defun
23232
23233 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23234 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23235 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23236 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23237
23238 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23239 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23240 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23241 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23242 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23243
23244 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23245 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23246 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23247 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23248 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23249 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23250
23251 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23252 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23253 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23254 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23255 @end defun
23256
23257 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23258 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23259 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23260 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23261 will produce a Python exception.
23262
23263 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23264 has no effect.
23265
23266 This method does not return a value.
23267 @end defun
23268
23269 @end table
23270
23271 @node Types In Python
23272 @subsubsection Types In Python
23273 @cindex types in Python
23274 @cindex Python, working with types
23275
23276 @tindex gdb.Type
23277 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23278 @code{gdb.Type}.
23279
23280 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23281 module:
23282
23283 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23284 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23285 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23286 type to look up. It must be a string.
23287
23288 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23289 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23290
23291 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23292 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23293 @end defun
23294
23295 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23296 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23297 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23298 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23299
23300 @smallexample
23301 bar = some_type['foo']
23302 @end smallexample
23303
23304 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23305 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23306 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23307
23308 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23309
23310 @table @code
23311 @defvar Type.code
23312 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23313 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23314 @end defvar
23315
23316 @defvar Type.sizeof
23317 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23318 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23319 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23320 @end defvar
23321
23322 @defvar Type.tag
23323 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23324 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23325 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23326 @code{None} is returned.
23327 @end defvar
23328 @end table
23329
23330 The following methods are provided:
23331
23332 @table @code
23333 @defun Type.fields ()
23334 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23335 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23336 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23337 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23338 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23339 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23340
23341 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23342 @table @code
23343 @item bitpos
23344 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23345 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23346 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23347 enumeration member's integer representation.
23348
23349 @item name
23350 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23351
23352 @item artificial
23353 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23354 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23355 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23356
23357 @item is_base_class
23358 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23359 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23360 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23361 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23362
23363 @item bitsize
23364 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23365 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23366 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23367
23368 @item type
23369 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23370 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23371 @end table
23372 @end defun
23373
23374 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23375 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23376 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23377 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23378 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23379 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23380 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23381 @end defun
23382
23383 @defun Type.const ()
23384 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23385 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23386 @end defun
23387
23388 @defun Type.volatile ()
23389 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23390 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23391 @end defun
23392
23393 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23394 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23395 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23396 @code{volatile}.
23397 @end defun
23398
23399 @defun Type.range ()
23400 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23401 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23402 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23403 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23404 @end defun
23405
23406 @defun Type.reference ()
23407 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23408 type.
23409 @end defun
23410
23411 @defun Type.pointer ()
23412 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23413 type.
23414 @end defun
23415
23416 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23417 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23418 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23419 @end defun
23420
23421 @defun Type.target ()
23422 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23423 of this type.
23424
23425 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23426 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23427 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23428 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23429 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23430 target type is the aliased type.
23431
23432 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23433 exception.
23434 @end defun
23435
23436 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23437 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23438 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23439 @var{n}th template argument.
23440
23441 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23442 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23443
23444 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23445 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23446 @end defun
23447 @end table
23448
23449
23450 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23451 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23452 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23453
23454 @table @code
23455 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23456 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23457 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23458 The type is a pointer.
23459
23460 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23461 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23462 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23463 The type is an array.
23464
23465 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23466 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23467 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23468 The type is a structure.
23469
23470 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23471 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23472 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23473 The type is a union.
23474
23475 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23476 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23477 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23478 The type is an enum.
23479
23480 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23481 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23482 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23483 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23484
23485 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23486 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23487 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23488 The type is a function.
23489
23490 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23491 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23492 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23493 The type is an integer type.
23494
23495 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23496 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23497 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23498 A floating point type.
23499
23500 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23501 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23502 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23503 The special type @code{void}.
23504
23505 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23506 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23507 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23508 A Pascal set type.
23509
23510 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23511 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23512 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23513 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23514
23515 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23516 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23517 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23518 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23519 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23520
23521 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23522 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23523 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23524 A string of bits.
23525
23526 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23527 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23528 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23529 An unknown or erroneous type.
23530
23531 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23532 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23533 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23534 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23535
23536 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23537 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23538 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23539 A pointer-to-member-function.
23540
23541 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23542 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23543 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23544 A pointer-to-member.
23545
23546 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23547 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23548 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23549 A reference type.
23550
23551 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23552 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23553 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23554 A character type.
23555
23556 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23557 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23558 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23559 A boolean type.
23560
23561 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23562 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23563 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23564 A complex float type.
23565
23566 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23567 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23568 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23569 A typedef to some other type.
23570
23571 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23572 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23573 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23574 A C@t{++} namespace.
23575
23576 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23577 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23578 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23579 A decimal floating point type.
23580
23581 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23582 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23583 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23584 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23585 convenience functions.
23586 @end table
23587
23588 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23589 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23590
23591 @node Pretty Printing API
23592 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23593
23594 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23595
23596 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23597 specific interface, defined here.
23598
23599 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23600 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23601 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23602
23603 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23604 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23605 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23606 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23607 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23608
23609 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23610 as though the value has no children.
23611 @end defun
23612
23613 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23614 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
23615 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
23616 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
23617 printed.
23618
23619 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
23620 string.
23621
23622 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
23623
23624 @table @samp
23625 @item array
23626 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
23627 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
23628 @code{set print array}.
23629
23630 @item map
23631 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
23632 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
23633 values.
23634
23635 @item string
23636 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
23637 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
23638 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
23639 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
23640 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
23641 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
23642 @end table
23643 @end defun
23644
23645 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
23646 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
23647 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
23648
23649 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
23650 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
23651 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
23652 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
23653 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
23654 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
23655 the result of @code{children}.
23656
23657 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
23658
23659 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
23660 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
23661 another pretty-printer.
23662
23663 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
23664 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
23665 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
23666 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
23667 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
23668
23669 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
23670 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
23671
23672 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
23673 @end defun
23674
23675 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
23676 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
23677
23678 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
23679 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
23680 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
23681 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
23682 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
23683 @end defun
23684
23685 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
23686 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
23687
23688 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
23689 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
23690 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
23691 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
23692 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
23693 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
23694 attribute.
23695
23696 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
23697 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
23698 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
23699 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
23700 @code{None}.
23701
23702 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
23703 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
23704 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
23705 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
23706 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
23707 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
23708 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
23709 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
23710 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
23711 object is returned.
23712
23713 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
23714 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
23715 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
23716 object is returned.
23717
23718 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
23719 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
23720 the pretty-printer is out of date.
23721
23722 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
23723 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
23724 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
23725 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
23726 with a broken printer.
23727
23728 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
23729 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
23730 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
23731 the printer is enabled.
23732
23733 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
23734 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
23735 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
23736
23737 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
23738 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
23739
23740 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
23741 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
23742 must provide.
23743
23744 @smallexample
23745 class StdStringPrinter(object):
23746 "Print a std::string"
23747
23748 def __init__(self, val):
23749 self.val = val
23750
23751 def to_string(self):
23752 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
23753
23754 def display_hint(self):
23755 return 'string'
23756 @end smallexample
23757
23758 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
23759 example above might be written.
23760
23761 @smallexample
23762 def str_lookup_function(val):
23763 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
23764 if lookup_tag == None:
23765 return None
23766 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
23767 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
23768 return StdStringPrinter(val)
23769 return None
23770 @end smallexample
23771
23772 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
23773 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
23774 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
23775 returns @code{None}.
23776
23777 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
23778 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
23779 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
23780 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
23781 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
23782 different names.
23783
23784 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
23785 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
23786 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
23787 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
23788 the current objfile.
23789
23790 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
23791 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
23792 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
23793 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
23794 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
23795 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
23796 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
23797 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
23798 inferior.
23799
23800 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
23801 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
23802
23803 @smallexample
23804 def register_printers(objfile):
23805 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
23806 @end smallexample
23807
23808 @noindent
23809 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
23810
23811 @smallexample
23812 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
23813 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
23814 @end smallexample
23815
23816 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
23817 There are a few things that can be improved on.
23818 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
23819 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
23820 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
23821
23822 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
23823 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
23824 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
23825 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
23826 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
23827 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
23828
23829 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
23830 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
23831 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
23832
23833 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
23834
23835 @smallexample
23836 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
23837 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
23838 @end smallexample
23839
23840 Here are the printers:
23841
23842 @smallexample
23843 class fooPrinter:
23844 """Print a foo object."""
23845
23846 def __init__(self, val):
23847 self.val = val
23848
23849 def to_string(self):
23850 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
23851 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
23852
23853 class barPrinter:
23854 """Print a bar object."""
23855
23856 def __init__(self, val):
23857 self.val = val
23858
23859 def to_string(self):
23860 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
23861 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
23862 @end smallexample
23863
23864 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
23865 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
23866 the object that handles the lookup.
23867
23868 @smallexample
23869 import gdb.printing
23870
23871 def build_pretty_printer():
23872 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
23873 "my_library")
23874 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
23875 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
23876 return pp
23877 @end smallexample
23878
23879 And here is the autoload support:
23880
23881 @smallexample
23882 import gdb.printing
23883 import my_library
23884 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
23885 gdb.current_objfile(),
23886 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
23887 @end smallexample
23888
23889 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
23890 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
23891
23892 @smallexample
23893 (gdb) info pretty-printer
23894 my_library.so:
23895 my_library
23896 foo
23897 bar
23898 @end smallexample
23899
23900 @node Inferiors In Python
23901 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
23902 @cindex inferiors in Python
23903
23904 @findex gdb.Inferior
23905 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
23906 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
23907 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
23908 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
23909
23910 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23911 module:
23912
23913 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
23914 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
23915 @end defun
23916
23917 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
23918 Return an object representing the current inferior.
23919 @end defun
23920
23921 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
23922
23923 @table @code
23924 @defvar Inferior.num
23925 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
23926 @end defvar
23927
23928 @defvar Inferior.pid
23929 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
23930 system.
23931 @end defvar
23932
23933 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
23934 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
23935 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
23936 @end defvar
23937 @end table
23938
23939 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
23940
23941 @table @code
23942 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
23943 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
23944 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
23945 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
23946 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
23947 at the time the method is called.
23948 @end defun
23949
23950 @defun Inferior.threads ()
23951 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
23952 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
23953 return an empty tuple.
23954 @end defun
23955
23956 @findex Inferior.read_memory
23957 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
23958 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
23959 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
23960 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
23961 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function.
23962 @end defun
23963
23964 @findex Inferior.write_memory
23965 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
23966 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
23967 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
23968 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23969 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
23970 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
23971 @end defun
23972
23973 @findex gdb.search_memory
23974 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
23975 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
23976 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
23977 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
23978 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23979 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
23980 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
23981 the pattern could not be found.
23982 @end defun
23983 @end table
23984
23985 @node Events In Python
23986 @subsubsection Events In Python
23987 @cindex inferior events in Python
23988
23989 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
23990 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
23991 the inferior.
23992
23993 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
23994 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
23995 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
23996
23997 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
23998 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
23999 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24000 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24001
24002 @table @code
24003 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24004 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24005 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24006 @end defun
24007
24008 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24009 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24010 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24011 @end defun
24012 @end table
24013
24014 Here is an example:
24015
24016 @smallexample
24017 def exit_handler (event):
24018 print "event type: exit"
24019 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24020
24021 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24022 @end smallexample
24023
24024 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24025 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24026 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24027 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24028 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24029 the inferior.
24030
24031 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24032 details of the events they emit:
24033
24034 @table @code
24035
24036 @item events.cont
24037 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24038
24039 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24040 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24041 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24042 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24043 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24044 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24045
24046 @table @code
24047 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24048 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24049 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24050 @end defvar
24051 @end table
24052
24053 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24054
24055 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24056 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24057
24058 @item events.exited
24059 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24060 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24061 @table @code
24062 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24063 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24064 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24065 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24066 the attribute does not exist.
24067 @end defvar
24068 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24069 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24070 @end defvar
24071 @end table
24072
24073 @item events.stop
24074 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24075
24076 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24077 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24078 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24079 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24080
24081 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24082
24083 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24084 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24085
24086 @table @code
24087 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24088 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24089 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24090 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24091 @end defvar
24092 @end table
24093
24094 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24095
24096 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24097 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24098
24099 @table @code
24100 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24101 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24102 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24103 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24104 @end defvar
24105 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24106 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24107 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24108 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24109 @end defvar
24110 @end table
24111
24112 @item events.new_objfile
24113 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24114 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24115
24116 @table @code
24117 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24118 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24119 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24120 @end defvar
24121 @end table
24122
24123 @end table
24124
24125 @node Threads In Python
24126 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24127 @cindex threads in python
24128
24129 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24130 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24131 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24132
24133 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24134 module:
24135
24136 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24137 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24138 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24139 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24140 @end defun
24141
24142 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24143
24144 @table @code
24145 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24146 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24147 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24148 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24149 returns @code{None}.
24150
24151 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24152 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24153 user-specified thread name.
24154 @end defvar
24155
24156 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24157 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24158 @end defvar
24159
24160 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24161 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24162 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24163 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24164 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24165 does not use that identifier.
24166 @end defvar
24167 @end table
24168
24169 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24170
24171 @table @code
24172 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24173 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24174 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24175 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24176 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24177 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24178 @end defun
24179
24180 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24181 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24182 by this object.
24183 @end defun
24184
24185 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24186 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24187 @end defun
24188
24189 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24190 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24191 @end defun
24192
24193 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24194 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24195 @end defun
24196 @end table
24197
24198 @node Commands In Python
24199 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24200
24201 @cindex commands in python
24202 @cindex python commands
24203 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24204 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24205 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24206
24207 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24208 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24209 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24210 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24211
24212 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24213 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24214 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24215 an exception is raised.
24216
24217 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24218
24219 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24220 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24221 new command in the help system.
24222
24223 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24224 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24225 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24226 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24227 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24228 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24229
24230 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24231 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24232 registered.
24233
24234 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24235 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24236 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24237 not documented.'' is used.
24238 @end defun
24239
24240 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24241 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24242 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24243 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24244 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24245 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24246 @end defun
24247
24248 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24249 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24250
24251 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24252 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24253
24254 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24255 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24256 that the command came from elsewhere.
24257
24258 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24259 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24260
24261 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24262 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24263 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24264 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24265 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24266 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24267 Example:
24268
24269 @smallexample
24270 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24271 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24272 @end smallexample
24273
24274 @end defun
24275
24276 @cindex completion of Python commands
24277 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24278 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24279 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24280 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24281 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24282 complete}).
24283
24284 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24285 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24286 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24287 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24288
24289 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24290 @itemize @bullet
24291 @item
24292 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24293 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24294 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24295 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24296 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24297 sequence are ignored.
24298
24299 @item
24300 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24301 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24302 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24303
24304 @item
24305 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24306 completions.
24307 @end itemize
24308 @end defun
24309
24310 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24311 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24312 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24313 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24314 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24315 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24316
24317 @table @code
24318 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24319 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24320 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24321 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24322 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24323
24324 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24325 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24326 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24327 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24328 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24329 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24330 commands in this category.
24331
24332 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24333 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24334 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24335 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24336 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24337 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24338 in this category.
24339
24340 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24341 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24342 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24343 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24344 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24345 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24346 list of commands in this category.
24347
24348 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24349 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24350 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24351 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24352 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24353 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24354 commands in this category.
24355
24356 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24357 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24358 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24359 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24360 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24361 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24362 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24363 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24364 commands in this category.
24365
24366 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24367 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24368 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24369 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24370 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24371 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24372 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24373
24374 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24375 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24376 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24377 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24378 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24379 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24380 this category.
24381
24382 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24383 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24384 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24385 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24386 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24387 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24388 commands in this category.
24389
24390 @findex COMMAND_USER
24391 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24392 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24393 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24394 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24395 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24396 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24397 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24398
24399 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24400 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24401 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24402 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24403 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24404 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24405 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24406 category.
24407
24408 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24409 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24410 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24411 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24412 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24413 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24414 commands in this category.
24415 @end table
24416
24417 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24418 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24419 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24420 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24421
24422 @table @code
24423 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24424 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24425 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24426 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24427
24428 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24429 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24430 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24431 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24432
24433 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24434 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24435 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24436 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24437 @xref{Specify Location}.
24438
24439 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24440 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24441 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24442 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24443 command names.
24444
24445 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24446 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24447 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24448 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24449 as the source.
24450 @end table
24451
24452 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24453 implemented in Python:
24454
24455 @smallexample
24456 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24457 """Greet the whole world."""
24458
24459 def __init__ (self):
24460 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24461
24462 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24463 print "Hello, World!"
24464
24465 HelloWorld ()
24466 @end smallexample
24467
24468 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24469 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24470 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24471 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24472
24473 @node Parameters In Python
24474 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24475
24476 @cindex parameters in python
24477 @cindex python parameters
24478 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24479 @tindex Parameter
24480 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24481 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24482 class.
24483
24484 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24485 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24486
24487 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24488 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24489 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24490 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24491 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24492
24493 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24494 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24495 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24496 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24497
24498 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24499 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24500 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24501 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24502 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24503 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24504 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24505
24506 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24507 can be found, an exception is raised.
24508
24509 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24510 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24511 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24512
24513 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24514 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24515 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24516 completion.
24517
24518 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24519 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24520 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24521
24522 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24523 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24524
24525 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24526 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24527 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24528 @end defun
24529
24530 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24531 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24532 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24533 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24534 have no effect.
24535 @end defvar
24536
24537 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24538 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24539 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24540 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24541 have no effect.
24542 @end defvar
24543
24544 @defvar Parameter.value
24545 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24546 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24547 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24548 @end defvar
24549
24550 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24551 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24552
24553 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24554 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24555 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24556 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24557 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24558 @end defun
24559
24560 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24561 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24562 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24563 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24564 current value. This method must return a string.
24565 @end defun
24566
24567 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24568 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24569 module:
24570
24571 @table @code
24572 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
24573 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24574 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24575 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
24576 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
24577
24578 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24579 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24580 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24581 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
24582 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
24583 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
24584
24585 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
24586 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24587 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24588 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
24589 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
24590
24591 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
24592 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24593 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24594 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
24595 to mean ``unlimited''.
24596
24597 @findex PARAM_STRING
24598 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
24599 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
24600 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
24601 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
24602 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
24603 host charset.
24604
24605 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24606 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24607 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24608 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
24609 passed through untranslated.
24610
24611 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24612 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24613 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24614 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
24615
24616 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
24617 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24618 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24619 The value is a filename. This is just like
24620 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
24621
24622 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
24623 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24624 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24625 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
24626 is interpreted as itself.
24627
24628 @findex PARAM_ENUM
24629 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24630 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24631 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
24632 constants provided when the parameter is created.
24633 @end table
24634
24635 @node Functions In Python
24636 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
24637
24638 @cindex writing convenience functions
24639 @cindex convenience functions in python
24640 @cindex python convenience functions
24641 @tindex gdb.Function
24642 @tindex Function
24643 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
24644 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
24645 class @code{gdb.Function}.
24646
24647 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
24648 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
24649 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
24650 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
24651 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
24652 the given @var{name}.
24653
24654 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
24655 string for the new class.
24656 @end defun
24657
24658 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
24659 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
24660 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
24661 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
24662 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
24663 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
24664 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
24665 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
24666
24667 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
24668 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
24669 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
24670 @end defun
24671
24672 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
24673 be implemented in Python:
24674
24675 @smallexample
24676 class Greet (gdb.Function):
24677 """Return string to greet someone.
24678 Takes a name as argument."""
24679
24680 def __init__ (self):
24681 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
24682
24683 def invoke (self, name):
24684 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
24685
24686 Greet ()
24687 @end smallexample
24688
24689 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24690 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24691 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24692 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24693
24694 @node Progspaces In Python
24695 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
24696
24697 @cindex progspaces in python
24698 @tindex gdb.Progspace
24699 @tindex Progspace
24700 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
24701 of an address space.
24702 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
24703 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24704 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
24705 about program spaces.
24706
24707 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
24708 @code{gdb} module:
24709
24710 @findex gdb.current_progspace
24711 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
24712 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
24713 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
24714 @end defun
24715
24716 @findex gdb.progspaces
24717 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
24718 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
24719 @end defun
24720
24721 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
24722 class.
24723
24724 @defvar Progspace.filename
24725 The file name of the progspace as a string.
24726 @end defvar
24727
24728 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
24729 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24730 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24731 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24732 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24733 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24734 information.
24735 @end defvar
24736
24737 @node Objfiles In Python
24738 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
24739
24740 @cindex objfiles in python
24741 @tindex gdb.Objfile
24742 @tindex Objfile
24743 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
24744 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
24745 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
24746 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
24747 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
24748
24749 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
24750 @code{gdb} module:
24751
24752 @findex gdb.current_objfile
24753 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
24754 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
24755 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
24756 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
24757 this function returns @code{None}.
24758 @end defun
24759
24760 @findex gdb.objfiles
24761 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
24762 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
24763 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24764 @end defun
24765
24766 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
24767 class.
24768
24769 @defvar Objfile.filename
24770 The file name of the objfile as a string.
24771 @end defvar
24772
24773 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
24774 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24775 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24776 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24777 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24778 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24779 information.
24780 @end defvar
24781
24782 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
24783
24784 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
24785 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
24786 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
24787 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
24788 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
24789 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24790 @end defun
24791
24792 @node Frames In Python
24793 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
24794
24795 @cindex frames in python
24796 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
24797 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
24798 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
24799 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
24800 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
24801 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24802
24803 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
24804 operator, like:
24805
24806 @smallexample
24807 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
24808 True
24809 @end smallexample
24810
24811 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
24812
24813 @findex gdb.selected_frame
24814 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
24815 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
24816 @end defun
24817
24818 @findex gdb.newest_frame
24819 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
24820 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
24821 @end defun
24822
24823 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24824 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
24825 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
24826 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
24827 @end defun
24828
24829 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
24830
24831 @table @code
24832 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
24833 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
24834 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
24835 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
24836 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24837 @end defun
24838
24839 @defun Frame.name ()
24840 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
24841 obtained.
24842 @end defun
24843
24844 @defun Frame.type ()
24845 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
24846 @table @code
24847 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
24848 An ordinary stack frame.
24849
24850 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
24851 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
24852 inferior function call.
24853
24854 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
24855 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
24856 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
24857
24858 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
24859 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
24860
24861 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
24862 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
24863 it calls into a signal handler.
24864
24865 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
24866 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
24867
24868 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
24869 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
24870 newest frame.
24871 @end table
24872 @end defun
24873
24874 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
24875 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
24876 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
24877 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
24878 function to a string. The value can be one of:
24879
24880 @table @code
24881 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
24882 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
24883
24884 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
24885 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
24886
24887 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
24888 This frame is the outermost.
24889
24890 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
24891 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
24892 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
24893
24894 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
24895 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
24896 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
24897 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
24898
24899 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
24900 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
24901 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
24902 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
24903 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
24904 stack corruption.
24905
24906 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
24907 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
24908 one to unwind further.
24909
24910 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
24911 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
24912 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
24913 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
24914 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
24915 versions. Using it, you could write:
24916 @smallexample
24917 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
24918 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24919 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
24920 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
24921 @end smallexample
24922 @end table
24923
24924 @end defun
24925
24926 @defun Frame.pc ()
24927 Returns the frame's resume address.
24928 @end defun
24929
24930 @defun Frame.block ()
24931 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
24932 @end defun
24933
24934 @defun Frame.function ()
24935 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
24936 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
24937 @end defun
24938
24939 @defun Frame.older ()
24940 Return the frame that called this frame.
24941 @end defun
24942
24943 @defun Frame.newer ()
24944 Return the frame called by this frame.
24945 @end defun
24946
24947 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
24948 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
24949 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
24950 @end defun
24951
24952 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
24953 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
24954 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
24955 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
24956 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
24957 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
24958 @code{gdb.Block} object.
24959 @end defun
24960
24961 @defun Frame.select ()
24962 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
24963 Stack}.
24964 @end defun
24965 @end table
24966
24967 @node Blocks In Python
24968 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
24969
24970 @cindex blocks in python
24971 @tindex gdb.Block
24972
24973 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
24974 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
24975 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
24976 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
24977 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
24978 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
24979 stack.
24980
24981 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
24982 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
24983 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
24984 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
24985 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
24986 table.
24987
24988 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24989 module:
24990
24991 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
24992 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
24993 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
24994 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
24995 will return @code{None}.
24996 @end defun
24997
24998 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
24999
25000 @table @code
25001 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25002 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25003 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25004 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25005 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25006 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25007 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25008 @end defun
25009 @end table
25010
25011 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25012
25013 @table @code
25014 @defvar Block.start
25015 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25016 @end defvar
25017
25018 @defvar Block.end
25019 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25020 @end defvar
25021
25022 @defvar Block.function
25023 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25024 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25025 attribute is not writable.
25026 @end defvar
25027
25028 @defvar Block.superblock
25029 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25030 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25031 @end defvar
25032
25033 @defvar Block.global_block
25034 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25035 writable.
25036 @end defvar
25037
25038 @defvar Block.static_block
25039 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25040 writable.
25041 @end defvar
25042
25043 @defvar Block.is_global
25044 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25045 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25046 writable.
25047 @end defvar
25048
25049 @defvar Block.is_static
25050 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25051 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25052 @end defvar
25053 @end table
25054
25055 @node Symbols In Python
25056 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25057
25058 @cindex symbols in python
25059 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25060
25061 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25062 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25063 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25064 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25065
25066 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25067 module:
25068
25069 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25070 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25071 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25072 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25073 arguments.
25074
25075 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25076 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25077 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25078 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25079 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25080 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25081 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25082 in this chapter.
25083
25084 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25085 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25086 is not found.
25087 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25088 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25089 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25090 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25091 @end defun
25092
25093 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25094 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25095 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25096 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25097
25098 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25099 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25100 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25101 module and described later in this chapter.
25102
25103 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25104 is not found.
25105 @end defun
25106
25107 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25108
25109 @table @code
25110 @defvar Symbol.type
25111 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25112 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25113 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25114 @end defvar
25115
25116 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25117 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25118 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25119 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25120 @end defvar
25121
25122 @defvar Symbol.line
25123 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25124 This is an integer.
25125 @end defvar
25126
25127 @defvar Symbol.name
25128 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25129 @end defvar
25130
25131 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25132 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25133 This attribute is not writable.
25134 @end defvar
25135
25136 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25137 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25138 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25139 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25140 @end defvar
25141
25142 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25143 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25144 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25145 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25146 @end defvar
25147
25148 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25149 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25150 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25151 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25152 @end defvar
25153
25154 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25155 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25156 @end defvar
25157
25158 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25159 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25160 @end defvar
25161
25162 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25163 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25164 @end defvar
25165
25166 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25167 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25168 @end defvar
25169 @end table
25170
25171 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25172
25173 @table @code
25174 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25175 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25176 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25177 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25178 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25179 invalid at the time the method is called.
25180 @end defun
25181
25182 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25183 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25184 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25185 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25186 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25187 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25188 exception.
25189 @end defun
25190 @end table
25191
25192 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25193 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25194
25195 @table @code
25196 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25197 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25198 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25199 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25200 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25201 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25202 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25203 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25204 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25205 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25206 type values.
25207 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25208 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25209 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25210 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25211 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25212 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25213 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25214 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25215 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25216 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25217 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25218 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25219 contains everything minus functions and types.
25220 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25221 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25222 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25223 This domain contains all functions.
25224 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25225 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25226 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25227 This domain contains all types.
25228 @end table
25229
25230 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25231 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25232
25233 @table @code
25234 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25235 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25236 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25237 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25238 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25239 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25240 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25241 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25242 Value is constant int.
25243 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25244 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25245 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25246 Value is at a fixed address.
25247 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25248 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25249 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25250 Value is in a register.
25251 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25252 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25253 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25254 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25255 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25256 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25257 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25258 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25259 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25260 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25261 offset, not the value itself.
25262 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25263 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25264 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25265 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25266 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25267 itself.
25268 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25269 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25270 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25271 Value is a local variable.
25272 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25273 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25274 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25275 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25276 have this class.
25277 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25278 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25279 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25280 Value is a block.
25281 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25282 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25283 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25284 Value is a byte-sequence.
25285 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25286 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25287 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25288 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25289 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25290 referenced.
25291 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25292 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25293 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25294 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25295 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25296 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25297 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25298 The value's address is a computed location.
25299 @end table
25300
25301 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25302 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25303
25304 @cindex symbol tables in python
25305 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25306 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25307
25308 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25309 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25310 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25311 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25312 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25313
25314 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25315 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25316
25317 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25318
25319 @table @code
25320 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25321 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25322 This attribute is not writable.
25323 @end defvar
25324
25325 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25326 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25327 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25328 @end defvar
25329
25330 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25331 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25332 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25333 @end defvar
25334
25335 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25336 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25337 attribute is not writable.
25338 @end defvar
25339 @end table
25340
25341 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25342
25343 @table @code
25344 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25345 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25346 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25347 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25348 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25349 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25350 invalid at the time the method is called.
25351 @end defun
25352 @end table
25353
25354 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25355
25356 @table @code
25357 @defvar Symtab.filename
25358 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25359 @end defvar
25360
25361 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25362 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25363 This attribute is not writable.
25364 @end defvar
25365 @end table
25366
25367 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25368
25369 @table @code
25370 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25371 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25372 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25373 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25374 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25375 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25376 @end defun
25377
25378 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25379 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25380 @end defun
25381
25382 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25383 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25384 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25385 @end defun
25386
25387 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25388 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25389 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25390 @end defun
25391 @end table
25392
25393 @node Breakpoints In Python
25394 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25395
25396 @cindex breakpoints in python
25397 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25398
25399 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25400 class.
25401
25402 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25403 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25404 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25405 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25406 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25407 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25408 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25409 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25410 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25411 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25412 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25413 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25414 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25415 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25416 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25417 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25418 @end defun
25419
25420 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25421 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25422 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25423 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25424 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25425 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25426 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25427 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25428
25429 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25430 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25431 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25432 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25433 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25434 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25435
25436 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25437 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25438 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25439 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25440 at this time.
25441
25442 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25443
25444 @smallexample
25445 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25446 def stop (self):
25447 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25448 if inf_val == 3:
25449 return True
25450 return False
25451 @end smallexample
25452 @end defun
25453
25454 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25455 @code{gdb} module:
25456
25457 @table @code
25458 @findex WP_READ
25459 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25460 @item gdb.WP_READ
25461 Read only watchpoint.
25462
25463 @findex WP_WRITE
25464 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25465 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
25466 Write only watchpoint.
25467
25468 @findex WP_ACCESS
25469 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25470 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25471 Read/Write watchpoint.
25472 @end table
25473
25474 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25475 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25476 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25477 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25478 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25479 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25480 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25481 @end defun
25482
25483 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25484 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25485 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25486 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25487 @end defun
25488
25489 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25490 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25491 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25492 @end defvar
25493
25494 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25495 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25496 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25497
25498 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25499 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25500 @code{silent} attribute.
25501 @end defvar
25502
25503 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25504 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25505 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25506 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25507 @end defvar
25508
25509 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25510 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25511 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25512 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25513 is writable.
25514 @end defvar
25515
25516 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25517 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25518 This attribute is writable.
25519 @end defvar
25520
25521 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25522 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25523 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25524 @end defvar
25525
25526 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25527 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25528 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25529 writable.
25530 @end defvar
25531
25532 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25533 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25534 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25535 attribute is not writable.
25536 @end defvar
25537
25538 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25539 module:
25540
25541 @table @code
25542 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25543 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25544 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25545 Normal code breakpoint.
25546
25547 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25548 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25549 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25550 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25551
25552 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25553 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25554 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25555 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25556
25557 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25558 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25559 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25560 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25561
25562 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25563 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25564 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25565 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25566 @end table
25567
25568 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
25569 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25570 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
25571 @end defvar
25572
25573 @defvar Breakpoint.location
25574 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
25575 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
25576 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
25577 attribute is not writable.
25578 @end defvar
25579
25580 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
25581 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
25582 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
25583 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
25584 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25585 @end defvar
25586
25587 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
25588 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
25589 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
25590 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25591 @end defvar
25592
25593 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
25594 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
25595 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
25596 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
25597 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25598 @end defvar
25599
25600 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
25601 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
25602
25603 @cindex python finish breakpoints
25604 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
25605
25606 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
25607 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
25608 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
25609 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
25610 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
25611 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
25612 thread selected.
25613
25614 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
25615 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
25616 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
25617 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
25618 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
25619 details about this argument.
25620 @end defun
25621
25622 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
25623 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
25624 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
25625 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
25626 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
25627
25628 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
25629 method:
25630
25631 @smallexample
25632 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
25633 def stop (self):
25634 print "normal finish"
25635 return True
25636
25637 def out_of_scope ():
25638 print "abnormal finish"
25639 @end smallexample
25640 @end defun
25641
25642 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
25643 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
25644 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
25645 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
25646 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
25647 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
25648 is not writable.
25649 @end defvar
25650
25651 @node Lazy Strings In Python
25652 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
25653
25654 @cindex lazy strings in python
25655 @tindex gdb.LazyString
25656
25657 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
25658 encoded until it is needed.
25659
25660 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
25661 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
25662 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
25663 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
25664 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
25665 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
25666 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
25667 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
25668 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
25669
25670 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
25671
25672 @defun LazyString.value ()
25673 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
25674 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
25675 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
25676 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
25677 @end defun
25678
25679 @defvar LazyString.address
25680 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
25681 writable.
25682 @end defvar
25683
25684 @defvar LazyString.length
25685 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
25686 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
25687 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
25688 @end defvar
25689
25690 @defvar LazyString.encoding
25691 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
25692 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
25693 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
25694 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
25695 is not writable.
25696 @end defvar
25697
25698 @defvar LazyString.type
25699 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
25700 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
25701 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
25702 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
25703 writable.
25704 @end defvar
25705
25706 @node Python Auto-loading
25707 @subsection Python Auto-loading
25708 @cindex Python auto-loading
25709
25710 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25711 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25712 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
25713 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
25714 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25715 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25716
25717 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25718 debugging commands and scripts.
25719
25720 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25721 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25722
25723 @table @code
25724 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
25725 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
25726 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
25727 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
25728
25729 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
25730 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
25731 @item show auto-load python-scripts
25732 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
25733
25734 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
25735 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
25736 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
25737 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25738 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
25739
25740 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
25741 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
25742 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25743 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
25744 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
25745 an error message for each one is problematic.
25746
25747 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
25748
25749 Example:
25750
25751 @smallexample
25752 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
25753 Loaded Script
25754 Yes py-section-script.py
25755 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
25756 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
25757 @end smallexample
25758 @end table
25759
25760 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
25761 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
25762 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
25763 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
25764
25765 @menu
25766 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25767 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25768 * Which flavor to choose?::
25769 @end menu
25770
25771 @node objfile-gdb.py file
25772 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25773 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25774
25775 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
25776 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25777 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
25778 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
25779 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
25780 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
25781
25782 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25783 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25784
25785 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25786 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25787
25788 @table @code
25789 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25790 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25791 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25792 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25793 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25794 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25795
25796 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25797 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25798
25799 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25800 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25801 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25802 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25803
25804 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25805 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25806 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25807 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25808 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25809 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25810 platform.
25811
25812 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25813 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25814 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25815
25816 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25817 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25818 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25819 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25820 @end table
25821
25822 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25823 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25824 @var{objfile} is opened.
25825 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25826 is evaluated more than once.
25827
25828 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25829 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25830 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25831
25832 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25833 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25834 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25835 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
25836
25837 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
25838 current directory and then along the source search path
25839 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25840 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25841 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25842
25843 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25844 for example, this GCC macro:
25845
25846 @example
25847 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25848 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25849 asm("\
25850 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25851 .byte 1\n\
25852 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25853 .popsection \n\
25854 ");
25855 @end example
25856
25857 @noindent
25858 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25859
25860 @example
25861 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25862 @end example
25863
25864 The script name may include directories if desired.
25865
25866 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25867 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25868
25869 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
25870 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
25871
25872 @node Which flavor to choose?
25873 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
25874
25875 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
25876 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
25877
25878 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
25879
25880 @itemize @bullet
25881 @item
25882 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
25883
25884 @item
25885 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
25886
25887 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
25888 in the source search path.
25889 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
25890 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
25891
25892 @item
25893 Doesn't require source code additions.
25894 @end itemize
25895
25896 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
25897
25898 @itemize @bullet
25899 @item
25900 Works with static linking.
25901
25902 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
25903 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
25904 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
25905 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
25906
25907 @item
25908 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
25909
25910 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
25911 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
25912
25913 @item
25914 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
25915
25916 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
25917 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
25918 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
25919 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
25920 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
25921 top of the source tree to the source search path.
25922 @end itemize
25923
25924 @node Python modules
25925 @subsection Python modules
25926 @cindex python modules
25927
25928 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
25929
25930 @menu
25931 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
25932 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
25933 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
25934 @end menu
25935
25936 @node gdb.printing
25937 @subsubsection gdb.printing
25938 @cindex gdb.printing
25939
25940 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25941 pretty-printers.
25942
25943 @table @code
25944 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
25945 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
25946 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
25947 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
25948
25949 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25950 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
25951 corresponding API for the subprinters.
25952
25953 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25954 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
25955 regular expressions.
25956 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
25957
25958 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
25959 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
25960 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
25961 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
25962 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
25963 the @code{enum} type to look up.
25964
25965 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
25966 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
25967 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
25968 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
25969 if a printer with the same name already exists.
25970 @end table
25971
25972 @node gdb.types
25973 @subsubsection gdb.types
25974 @cindex gdb.types
25975
25976 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25977 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
25978
25979 @table @code
25980 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
25981 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
25982 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
25983
25984 C@t{++} example:
25985
25986 @smallexample
25987 typedef const int const_int;
25988 const_int foo (3);
25989 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
25990 int main () @{ return 0; @}
25991 @end smallexample
25992
25993 Then in gdb:
25994
25995 @smallexample
25996 (gdb) start
25997 (gdb) python import gdb.types
25998 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
25999 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26000 int
26001 @end smallexample
26002
26003 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26004 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26005 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26006
26007 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26008 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26009
26010 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26011 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26012 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26013 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26014 union fields. For example:
26015
26016 @smallexample
26017 struct A
26018 @{
26019 int a;
26020 union @{
26021 int b0;
26022 int b1;
26023 @};
26024 @};
26025 @end smallexample
26026
26027 @noindent
26028 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26029 @smallexample
26030 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26031 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26032 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26033 @{['a', '']@}
26034 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26035 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26036 @end smallexample
26037
26038 @end table
26039
26040 @node gdb.prompt
26041 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26042 @cindex gdb.prompt
26043
26044 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26045
26046 @table @code
26047 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26048 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26049 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26050 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26051
26052 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26053
26054 @table @code
26055 @item \\
26056 Substitute a backslash.
26057 @item \e
26058 Substitute an ESC character.
26059 @item \f
26060 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26061 @item \n
26062 Substitute a newline.
26063 @item \p
26064 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26065 @item \r
26066 Substitute a carriage return.
26067 @item \t
26068 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26069 @item \v
26070 Substitute the version of GDB.
26071 @item \w
26072 Substitute the current working directory.
26073 @item \[
26074 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26075 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26076 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26077 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26078 @item \]
26079 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26080 @end table
26081
26082 For example:
26083
26084 @smallexample
26085 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26086 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26087 @end smallexample
26088
26089 @exdent will return the string:
26090
26091 @smallexample
26092 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26093 @end smallexample
26094 @end table
26095
26096 @node Aliases
26097 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26098 @cindex aliases for commands
26099
26100 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26101 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26102 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26103 that involves less typing.
26104
26105 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26106 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26107 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26108
26109 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26110 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26111 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26112
26113 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26114
26115 @table @code
26116
26117 @kindex alias
26118 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26119
26120 @end table
26121
26122 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26123 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26124 underscores.
26125
26126 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26127 that is being aliased.
26128
26129 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26130 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26131 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26132
26133 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26134 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26135
26136 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26137 of a command so that there is less to type.
26138 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26139 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26140 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26141 The following will accomplish this.
26142
26143 @smallexample
26144 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26145 @end smallexample
26146
26147 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26148 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26149 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26150 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26151
26152 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26153 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26154 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26155 of a command.
26156
26157 @smallexample
26158 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26159 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26160 (gdb) set p elms 20
26161 (gdb) show p elms
26162 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26163 @end smallexample
26164
26165 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26166 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26167 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26168
26169 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26170 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26171
26172 @smallexample
26173 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26174 @end smallexample
26175
26176 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26177 alias for a more complex command.
26178 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26179
26180 @smallexample
26181 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26182 (gdb) spe 20
26183 @end smallexample
26184
26185 @node Interpreters
26186 @chapter Command Interpreters
26187 @cindex command interpreters
26188
26189 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26190 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26191 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26192
26193 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26194 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26195 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26196 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26197
26198 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26199 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26200 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26201 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26202
26203 @table @code
26204 @item console
26205 @cindex console interpreter
26206 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26207 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26208 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26209
26210 @item mi
26211 @cindex mi interpreter
26212 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26213 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26214 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26215 Interface}.
26216
26217 @item mi2
26218 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26219 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26220
26221 @item mi1
26222 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26223 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26224
26225 @end table
26226
26227 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26228 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26229 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26230 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26231 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26232 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26233 the IDE inoperable!
26234
26235 @kindex interpreter-exec
26236 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26237 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26238 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26239 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26240
26241 @smallexample
26242 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26243 @end smallexample
26244
26245 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26246 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26247
26248 @node TUI
26249 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26250 @cindex TUI
26251 @cindex Text User Interface
26252
26253 @menu
26254 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26255 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26256 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26257 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26258 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26259 @end menu
26260
26261 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26262 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26263 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26264 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26265 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26266 is available.
26267
26268 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26269 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26270 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26271 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26272 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26273
26274 @node TUI Overview
26275 @section TUI Overview
26276
26277 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26278
26279 @table @emph
26280 @item command
26281 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26282 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26283 managed using readline.
26284
26285 @item source
26286 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26287 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26288
26289 @item assembly
26290 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26291
26292 @item register
26293 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26294 when their values change.
26295 @end table
26296
26297 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26298 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26299 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26300 indicates the breakpoint type:
26301
26302 @table @code
26303 @item B
26304 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26305
26306 @item b
26307 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26308
26309 @item H
26310 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26311
26312 @item h
26313 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26314 @end table
26315
26316 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26317
26318 @table @code
26319 @item +
26320 Breakpoint is enabled.
26321
26322 @item -
26323 Breakpoint is disabled.
26324 @end table
26325
26326 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26327 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26328 changes.
26329
26330 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26331 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26332 layouts:
26333
26334 @itemize @bullet
26335 @item
26336 source only,
26337
26338 @item
26339 assembly only,
26340
26341 @item
26342 source and assembly,
26343
26344 @item
26345 source and registers, or
26346
26347 @item
26348 assembly and registers.
26349 @end itemize
26350
26351 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26352
26353 @table @emph
26354 @item target
26355 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26356 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26357
26358 @item process
26359 Gives the current process or thread number.
26360 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26361
26362 @item function
26363 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26364 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26365 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26366 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26367
26368 @item line
26369 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26370 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26371
26372 @item pc
26373 Indicates the current program counter address.
26374 @end table
26375
26376 @node TUI Keys
26377 @section TUI Key Bindings
26378 @cindex TUI key bindings
26379
26380 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26381 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26382 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26383 @end ifset
26384 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26385 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26386 @end ifclear
26387 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26388 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26389
26390 @table @kbd
26391 @kindex C-x C-a
26392 @item C-x C-a
26393 @kindex C-x a
26394 @itemx C-x a
26395 @kindex C-x A
26396 @itemx C-x A
26397 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26398 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26399 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26400 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26401 The screen is then refreshed.
26402
26403 @kindex C-x 1
26404 @item C-x 1
26405 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26406 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26407 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26408
26409 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26410
26411 @kindex C-x 2
26412 @item C-x 2
26413 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26414 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26415 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26416 previous layout and the new one.
26417
26418 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26419
26420 @kindex C-x o
26421 @item C-x o
26422 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26423 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26424 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26425
26426 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26427
26428 @kindex C-x s
26429 @item C-x s
26430 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26431 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26432 @end table
26433
26434 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26435
26436 @table @asis
26437 @kindex PgUp
26438 @item @key{PgUp}
26439 Scroll the active window one page up.
26440
26441 @kindex PgDn
26442 @item @key{PgDn}
26443 Scroll the active window one page down.
26444
26445 @kindex Up
26446 @item @key{Up}
26447 Scroll the active window one line up.
26448
26449 @kindex Down
26450 @item @key{Down}
26451 Scroll the active window one line down.
26452
26453 @kindex Left
26454 @item @key{Left}
26455 Scroll the active window one column left.
26456
26457 @kindex Right
26458 @item @key{Right}
26459 Scroll the active window one column right.
26460
26461 @kindex C-L
26462 @item @kbd{C-L}
26463 Refresh the screen.
26464 @end table
26465
26466 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26467 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26468 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26469 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26470 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26471
26472 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26473 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26474 @cindex TUI single key mode
26475
26476 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26477 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26478 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26479
26480 @table @kbd
26481 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26482 @item c
26483 continue
26484
26485 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26486 @item d
26487 down
26488
26489 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26490 @item f
26491 finish
26492
26493 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26494 @item n
26495 next
26496
26497 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26498 @item q
26499 exit the SingleKey mode.
26500
26501 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26502 @item r
26503 run
26504
26505 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26506 @item s
26507 step
26508
26509 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26510 @item u
26511 up
26512
26513 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26514 @item v
26515 info locals
26516
26517 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26518 @item w
26519 where
26520 @end table
26521
26522 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26523 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26524 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26525 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26526 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26527 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26528
26529
26530 @node TUI Commands
26531 @section TUI-specific Commands
26532 @cindex TUI commands
26533
26534 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26535 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26536 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26537 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26538
26539 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26540 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26541 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26542 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26543 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26544
26545 @table @code
26546 @item info win
26547 @kindex info win
26548 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26549
26550 @item layout next
26551 @kindex layout
26552 Display the next layout.
26553
26554 @item layout prev
26555 Display the previous layout.
26556
26557 @item layout src
26558 Display the source window only.
26559
26560 @item layout asm
26561 Display the assembly window only.
26562
26563 @item layout split
26564 Display the source and assembly window.
26565
26566 @item layout regs
26567 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
26568
26569 @item focus next
26570 @kindex focus
26571 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26572
26573 @item focus prev
26574 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26575
26576 @item focus src
26577 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26578
26579 @item focus asm
26580 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26581
26582 @item focus regs
26583 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26584
26585 @item focus cmd
26586 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26587
26588 @item refresh
26589 @kindex refresh
26590 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26591
26592 @item tui reg float
26593 @kindex tui reg
26594 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
26595
26596 @item tui reg general
26597 Show the general registers in the register window.
26598
26599 @item tui reg next
26600 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
26601 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
26602 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
26603 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
26604
26605 @item tui reg system
26606 Show the system registers in the register window.
26607
26608 @item update
26609 @kindex update
26610 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26611
26612 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26613 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26614 @kindex winheight
26615 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26616 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26617 decrease it.
26618
26619 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26620 @kindex tabset
26621 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
26622 @end table
26623
26624 @node TUI Configuration
26625 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26626 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26627
26628 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26629
26630 @table @code
26631 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26632 @kindex set tui border-kind
26633 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26634 The possible values are the following:
26635 @table @code
26636 @item space
26637 Use a space character to draw the border.
26638
26639 @item ascii
26640 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26641
26642 @item acs
26643 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26644 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26645 @end table
26646
26647 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26648 @kindex set tui border-mode
26649 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26650 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26651 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26652 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26653 @table @code
26654 @item normal
26655 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26656
26657 @item standout
26658 Use standout mode.
26659
26660 @item reverse
26661 Use reverse video mode.
26662
26663 @item half
26664 Use half bright mode.
26665
26666 @item half-standout
26667 Use half bright and standout mode.
26668
26669 @item bold
26670 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26671
26672 @item bold-standout
26673 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26674 @end table
26675 @end table
26676
26677 @node Emacs
26678 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26679
26680 @cindex Emacs
26681 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26682 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26683 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26684 @value{GDBN}.
26685
26686 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26687 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26688 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26689 created Emacs buffer.
26690 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26691
26692 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26693 things:
26694
26695 @itemize @bullet
26696 @item
26697 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26698 the GUD buffer.
26699
26700 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26701 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26702
26703 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26704 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26705 in this way.
26706
26707 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26708 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26709 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26710 stop.
26711
26712 @item
26713 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26714
26715 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26716 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26717 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26718 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26719 and the source.
26720
26721 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26722 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26723 @end itemize
26724
26725 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26726 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26727 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26728 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26729
26730 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26731 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26732 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26733 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26734 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26735 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26736 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26737 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26738 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26739
26740 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26741 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26742 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26743 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26744
26745 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26746 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26747 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26748 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26749 one you want.
26750
26751 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26752 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26753
26754 @table @kbd
26755 @item C-h m
26756 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26757
26758 @item C-c C-s
26759 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26760 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26761
26762 @item C-c C-n
26763 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26764 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26765 to show the current file and location.
26766
26767 @item C-c C-i
26768 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26769 display window accordingly.
26770
26771 @item C-c C-f
26772 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26773 @code{finish} command.
26774
26775 @item C-c C-r
26776 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26777 command.
26778
26779 @item C-c <
26780 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26781 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26782 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26783
26784 @item C-c >
26785 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26786 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26787 @end table
26788
26789 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26790 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26791
26792 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26793 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26794 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26795 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26796 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26797 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26798 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26799
26800 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26801 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26802 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26803 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26804 frame.
26805
26806 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26807 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26808 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26809 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26810 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26811 to correspond properly with the code.
26812
26813 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26814 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26815 Emacs Manual}).
26816
26817 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
26818 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
26819 @ignore
26820 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
26821 @kindex Epoch
26822 @kindex inspect
26823
26824 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
26825 called the @code{epoch}
26826 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
26827 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
26828 each value is printed in its own window.
26829 @end ignore
26830
26831
26832 @node GDB/MI
26833 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26834
26835 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26836
26837 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26838 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26839 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26840 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26841 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26842 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26843
26844 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26845 in the form of a reference manual.
26846
26847 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26848 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26849 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26850
26851 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26852
26853 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26854 This chapter uses the following notation:
26855
26856 @itemize @bullet
26857 @item
26858 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26859
26860 @item
26861 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26862 it may or may not be given.
26863
26864 @item
26865 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26866 may repeat zero or more times.
26867
26868 @item
26869 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26870 may repeat one or more times.
26871
26872 @item
26873 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26874 @end itemize
26875
26876 @ignore
26877 @heading Dependencies
26878 @end ignore
26879
26880 @menu
26881 * GDB/MI General Design::
26882 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26883 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26884 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26885 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26886 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26887 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26888 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26889 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26890 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26891 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26892 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26893 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26894 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26895 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26896 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26897 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26898 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26899 @ignore
26900 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26901 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26902 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26903 @end ignore
26904 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26905 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26906 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26907 @end menu
26908
26909 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26910 @node GDB/MI General Design
26911 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26912 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26913
26914 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26915 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26916 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26917 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26918 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26919 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26920 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26921 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26922 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26923 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26924
26925 The important examples of notifications are:
26926 @itemize @bullet
26927
26928 @item
26929 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
26930 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
26931 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
26932 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
26933 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
26934 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
26935 command itself was successfully executed.
26936
26937 @item
26938 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
26939 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
26940 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
26941 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
26942 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
26943 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
26944
26945 @item
26946 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
26947 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
26948 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
26949 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
26950 orthogonal frontend design.
26951
26952 @end itemize
26953
26954 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
26955 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
26956 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
26957 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
26958 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
26959 the user interface.
26960
26961
26962 @menu
26963 * Context management::
26964 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
26965 * Thread groups::
26966 @end menu
26967
26968 @node Context management
26969 @subsection Context management
26970
26971 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
26972 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
26973 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
26974 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
26975 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
26976 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
26977 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
26978 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
26979 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
26980
26981 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
26982 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
26983 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
26984 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
26985 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
26986 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
26987 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
26988 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
26989 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
26990 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
26991 for thread and frame to operate on.
26992
26993 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
26994 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
26995 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
26996 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
26997 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
26998 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
26999 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27000 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27001 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27002 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27003
27004 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27005 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27006 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27007 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27008 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27009 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27010 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27011 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27012 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27013 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27014 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27015 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27016 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27017 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27018 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27019 @samp{--frame} options.
27020
27021 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27022 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27023
27024 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27025 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27026 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27027 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27028 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27029 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27030 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27031 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27032 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27033
27034 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27035 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27036 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27037 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27038 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27039 are running.
27040
27041 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27042 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27043 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27044 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27045 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27046 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27047 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27048 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27049 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27050 @samp{--thread} option).
27051
27052 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27053 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27054 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27055 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27056
27057 @node Thread groups
27058 @subsection Thread groups
27059 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27060 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27061 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27062 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27063 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27064
27065 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27066 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27067 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27068 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27069 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27070 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27071 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27072 into processes.
27073
27074 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27075 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27076 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27077 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27078 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27079 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27080 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27081 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27082 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27083 the members of specific thread group.
27084
27085 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27086 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27087 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27088 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27089 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27090 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27091 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27092 after attaching to that thread group.
27093
27094 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27095 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27096 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27097 such thread groups.
27098
27099 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27100 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27101 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27102
27103 @menu
27104 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27105 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27106 @end menu
27107
27108 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27109 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27110
27111 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27112 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27113 @table @code
27114 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27115 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27116
27117 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27118 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27119 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27120
27121 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27122 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27123 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27124
27125 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27126 "any sequence of digits"
27127
27128 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27129 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27130
27131 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27132 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27133
27134 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27135 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27136
27137 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27138 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27139 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27140
27141 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27142 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27143
27144 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27145 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27146 @end table
27147
27148 @noindent
27149 Notes:
27150
27151 @itemize @bullet
27152 @item
27153 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27154 output is described below.
27155
27156 @item
27157 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27158 finishes.
27159
27160 @item
27161 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27162 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27163 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27164 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27165 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27166 @end itemize
27167
27168 Pragmatics:
27169
27170 @itemize @bullet
27171 @item
27172 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27173
27174 @item
27175 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27176 @end itemize
27177
27178 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27179 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27180
27181 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27182 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27183 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27184 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27185 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27186 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27187
27188 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27189 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27190 @var{token}.
27191
27192 @table @code
27193 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27194 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27195
27196 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27197 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27198
27199 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27200 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27201
27202 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27203 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27204
27205 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27206 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27207
27208 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27209 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27210
27211 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27212 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27213
27214 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27215 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27216
27217 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27218 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27219
27220 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27221 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27222 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27223
27224 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27225 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27226
27227 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27228 @code{ @var{string} }
27229
27230 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27231 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27232
27233 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27234 @code{@var{c-string}}
27235
27236 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27237 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27238
27239 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27240 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27241 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27242
27243 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27244 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27245
27246 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27247 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27248
27249 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27250 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27251
27252 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27253 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27254
27255 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27256 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27257
27258 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27259 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27260 @end table
27261
27262 @noindent
27263 Notes:
27264
27265 @itemize @bullet
27266 @item
27267 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27268
27269 @item
27270 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27271 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27272 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27273 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27274 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27275 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27276 prior command.
27277
27278 @item
27279 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27280 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27281 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27282 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27283
27284 @item
27285 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27286 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27287 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27288 @samp{*}.
27289
27290 @item
27291 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27292 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27293 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27294 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27295
27296 @item
27297 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27298 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27299 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27300 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27301
27302 @item
27303 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27304 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27305 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27306
27307 @item
27308 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27309 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27310 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27311 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27312
27313 @item
27314 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27315 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27316 @var{values}.
27317
27318
27319 @end itemize
27320
27321 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27322 details about the various output records.
27323
27324 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27325 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27326 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27327
27328 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27329 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27330
27331 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27332 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27333 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27334 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27335 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27336 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27337
27338 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27339 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27340 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27341
27342 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27343 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27344 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27345 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27346
27347 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27348 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27349
27350 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27351 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27352 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27353 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27354 might change.
27355
27356 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27357 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27358 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27359 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27360
27361 @itemize @bullet
27362 @item
27363 New MI commands may be added.
27364
27365 @item
27366 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27367
27368 @item
27369 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27370 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27371
27372 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27373 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27374
27375 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27376 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27377 @end itemize
27378
27379 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27380 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27381 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27382 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27383 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27384
27385 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27386 @c version?
27387
27388 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27389 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27390 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27391 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27392 @cindex mailing lists
27393
27394 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27395 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27396 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27397
27398 @menu
27399 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27400 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27401 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27402 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27403 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27404 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27405 @end menu
27406
27407 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27408 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27409
27410 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27411 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27412 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27413 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27414
27415 @table @code
27416 @findex ^done
27417 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27418 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27419 values.
27420
27421 @item "^running"
27422 @findex ^running
27423 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27424 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27425 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27426 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27427 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27428 which threads are resumed.
27429
27430 @item "^connected"
27431 @findex ^connected
27432 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27433
27434 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27435 @findex ^error
27436 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27437 error message.
27438
27439 @item "^exit"
27440 @findex ^exit
27441 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27442
27443 @end table
27444
27445 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27446 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27447
27448 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27449 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27450 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27451 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27452 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27453
27454 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27455 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27456 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27457 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27458 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27459
27460 @table @code
27461 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27462 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27463 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27464
27465 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27466 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27467 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27468 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27469
27470 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27471 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27472 internals.
27473 @end table
27474
27475 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27476 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27477
27478 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27479 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27480 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27481 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27482 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27483 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27484
27485 The following is the list of possible async records:
27486
27487 @table @code
27488
27489 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27490 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27491 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27492 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
27493 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
27494 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
27495 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
27496 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
27497 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
27498 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
27499
27500 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27501 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27502 following values:
27503
27504 @table @code
27505 @item breakpoint-hit
27506 A breakpoint was reached.
27507 @item watchpoint-trigger
27508 A watchpoint was triggered.
27509 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27510 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27511 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27512 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27513 @item function-finished
27514 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27515 @item location-reached
27516 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27517 @item watchpoint-scope
27518 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27519 @item end-stepping-range
27520 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27521 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27522 @item exited-signalled
27523 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27524 @item exited
27525 The inferior exited.
27526 @item exited-normally
27527 The inferior exited normally.
27528 @item signal-received
27529 A signal was received by the inferior.
27530 @item solib-event
27531 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27532 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27533 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27534 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27535 @item fork
27536 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27537 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27538 @item vfork
27539 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27540 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27541 @item syscall-entry
27542 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27543 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27544 @item syscall-entry
27545 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27546 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27547 @item exec
27548 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27549 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27550 @end table
27551
27552 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
27553 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
27554 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27555 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27556 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27557 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27558 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27559 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27560 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27561 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27562 if such information is not available.
27563
27564 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27565 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27566 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27567 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27568 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27569 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27570 cannot be used in any way.
27571
27572 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27573 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27574 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27575 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27576 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27577 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27578
27579 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27580 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27581 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27582 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27583 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27584 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27585
27586 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27587 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27588 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27589 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27590 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27591
27592 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
27593 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
27594 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
27595 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
27596 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
27597 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
27598 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
27599
27600 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27601 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27602 that thread.
27603
27604 @item =library-loaded,...
27605 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27606 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27607 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
27608 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27609 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27610 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27611 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27612 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27613 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27614 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27615 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27616 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27617 thread groups.
27618
27619 @item =library-unloaded,...
27620 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27621 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27622 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27623 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27624 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27625 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27626 thread groups.
27627
27628 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27629 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27630 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
27631 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27632 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27633 user.
27634
27635 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27636 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
27637
27638 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27639 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27640
27641 @end table
27642
27643 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27644 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27645
27646 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27647 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27648 fields:
27649
27650 @table @code
27651 @item level
27652 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27653 zero. This field is always present.
27654
27655 @item func
27656 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27657 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27658
27659 @item addr
27660 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27661
27662 @item file
27663 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27664 address. This field may be absent.
27665
27666 @item line
27667 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27668 may be absent.
27669
27670 @item from
27671 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27672 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27673
27674 @end table
27675
27676 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27677 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27678
27679 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27680 uses a tuple with the following fields:
27681
27682 @table @code
27683 @item id
27684 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
27685 always present.
27686
27687 @item target-id
27688 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
27689
27690 @item details
27691 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27692 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
27693 frontend. This field is optional.
27694
27695 @item state
27696 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
27697 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
27698
27699 @item core
27700 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
27701 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
27702 @end table
27703
27704 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
27705 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
27706
27707 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
27708 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
27709 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
27710 the @code{exception-name} field.
27711
27712 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27713 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
27714 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
27715 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
27716
27717 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
27718 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
27719 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
27720 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
27721
27722 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
27723 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
27724
27725 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
27726
27727 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
27728 information of the breakpoint.
27729
27730 @smallexample
27731 -> -break-insert main
27732 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27733 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27734 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
27735 <- (gdb)
27736 @end smallexample
27737
27738 @subheading Program Execution
27739
27740 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
27741 reason that execution stopped.
27742
27743 @smallexample
27744 -> -exec-run
27745 <- ^running
27746 <- (gdb)
27747 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27748 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
27749 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
27750 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
27751 <- (gdb)
27752 -> -exec-continue
27753 <- ^running
27754 <- (gdb)
27755 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27756 <- (gdb)
27757 @end smallexample
27758
27759 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
27760
27761 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
27762
27763 @smallexample
27764 -> (gdb)
27765 <- -gdb-exit
27766 <- ^exit
27767 @end smallexample
27768
27769 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
27770 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
27771 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
27772 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
27773 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
27774 fails to exit in reasonable time.
27775
27776 @subheading A Bad Command
27777
27778 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
27779
27780 @smallexample
27781 -> -rubbish
27782 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
27783 <- (gdb)
27784 @end smallexample
27785
27786
27787 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27788 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
27789 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
27790
27791 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
27792 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
27793
27794 @subheading Motivation
27795
27796 The motivation for this collection of commands.
27797
27798 @subheading Introduction
27799
27800 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
27801
27802 @subheading Commands
27803
27804 For each command in the block, the following is described:
27805
27806 @subsubheading Synopsis
27807
27808 @smallexample
27809 -command @var{args}@dots{}
27810 @end smallexample
27811
27812 @subsubheading Result
27813
27814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27815
27816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
27817
27818 @subsubheading Example
27819
27820 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
27821 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
27822
27823
27824 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27825 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
27826 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
27827
27828 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
27829 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
27830 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27831 breakpoints.
27832
27833 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
27834 @findex -break-after
27835
27836 @subsubheading Synopsis
27837
27838 @smallexample
27839 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
27840 @end smallexample
27841
27842 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
27843 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
27844 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
27845 @samp{-break-list} command below.
27846
27847 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27848
27849 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
27850
27851 @subsubheading Example
27852
27853 @smallexample
27854 (gdb)
27855 -break-insert main
27856 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27857 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27858 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27859 (gdb)
27860 -break-after 1 3
27861 ~
27862 ^done
27863 (gdb)
27864 -break-list
27865 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27866 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27867 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27868 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27869 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27870 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27871 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27872 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27873 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27874 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27875 (gdb)
27876 @end smallexample
27877
27878 @ignore
27879 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
27880 @findex -break-catch
27881 @end ignore
27882
27883 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
27884 @findex -break-commands
27885
27886 @subsubheading Synopsis
27887
27888 @smallexample
27889 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
27890 @end smallexample
27891
27892 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
27893 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
27894 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
27895 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
27896 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
27897 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
27898
27899 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27900
27901 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
27902
27903 @subsubheading Example
27904
27905 @smallexample
27906 (gdb)
27907 -break-insert main
27908 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27909 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27910 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27911 (gdb)
27912 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
27913 ^done
27914 (gdb)
27915 @end smallexample
27916
27917 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
27918 @findex -break-condition
27919
27920 @subsubheading Synopsis
27921
27922 @smallexample
27923 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
27924 @end smallexample
27925
27926 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
27927 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
27928 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
27929 command below).
27930
27931 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27932
27933 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
27934
27935 @subsubheading Example
27936
27937 @smallexample
27938 (gdb)
27939 -break-condition 1 1
27940 ^done
27941 (gdb)
27942 -break-list
27943 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27944 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27945 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27946 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27947 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27948 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27949 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27950 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27951 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27952 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27953 (gdb)
27954 @end smallexample
27955
27956 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
27957 @findex -break-delete
27958
27959 @subsubheading Synopsis
27960
27961 @smallexample
27962 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27963 @end smallexample
27964
27965 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
27966 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
27967
27968 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27969
27970 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
27971
27972 @subsubheading Example
27973
27974 @smallexample
27975 (gdb)
27976 -break-delete 1
27977 ^done
27978 (gdb)
27979 -break-list
27980 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27981 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27982 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27983 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27984 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27985 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27986 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27987 body=[]@}
27988 (gdb)
27989 @end smallexample
27990
27991 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
27992 @findex -break-disable
27993
27994 @subsubheading Synopsis
27995
27996 @smallexample
27997 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27998 @end smallexample
27999
28000 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28001 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28002
28003 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28004
28005 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28006
28007 @subsubheading Example
28008
28009 @smallexample
28010 (gdb)
28011 -break-disable 2
28012 ^done
28013 (gdb)
28014 -break-list
28015 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28016 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28017 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28018 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28019 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28020 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28021 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28022 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28023 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28024 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28025 (gdb)
28026 @end smallexample
28027
28028 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28029 @findex -break-enable
28030
28031 @subsubheading Synopsis
28032
28033 @smallexample
28034 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28035 @end smallexample
28036
28037 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28038
28039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28040
28041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28042
28043 @subsubheading Example
28044
28045 @smallexample
28046 (gdb)
28047 -break-enable 2
28048 ^done
28049 (gdb)
28050 -break-list
28051 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28052 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28053 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28054 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28055 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28056 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28057 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28058 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28059 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28060 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28061 (gdb)
28062 @end smallexample
28063
28064 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28065 @findex -break-info
28066
28067 @subsubheading Synopsis
28068
28069 @smallexample
28070 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28071 @end smallexample
28072
28073 @c REDUNDANT???
28074 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28075
28076 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28077
28078 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28079
28080 @subsubheading Example
28081 N.A.
28082
28083 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28084 @findex -break-insert
28085
28086 @subsubheading Synopsis
28087
28088 @smallexample
28089 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28090 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28091 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28092 @end smallexample
28093
28094 @noindent
28095 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28096
28097 @itemize @bullet
28098 @item function
28099 @c @item +offset
28100 @c @item -offset
28101 @c @item linenum
28102 @item filename:linenum
28103 @item filename:function
28104 @item *address
28105 @end itemize
28106
28107 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28108
28109 @table @samp
28110 @item -t
28111 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28112 @item -h
28113 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28114 @item -f
28115 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28116 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28117 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28118 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28119 cannot be parsed.
28120 @item -d
28121 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28122 @item -a
28123 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28124 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28125 @item -c @var{condition}
28126 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28127 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28128 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28129 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28130 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28131 @end table
28132
28133 @subsubheading Result
28134
28135 The result is in the form:
28136
28137 @smallexample
28138 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
28139 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
28140 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
28141 times="@var{times}"@}
28142 @end smallexample
28143
28144 @noindent
28145 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
28146 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
28147 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
28148 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
28149 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
28150 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
28151 which use the same output).
28152
28153 Note: this format is open to change.
28154 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28155
28156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28157
28158 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28159 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28160
28161 @subsubheading Example
28162
28163 @smallexample
28164 (gdb)
28165 -break-insert main
28166 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28167 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
28168 (gdb)
28169 -break-insert -t foo
28170 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28171 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
28172 (gdb)
28173 -break-list
28174 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28175 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28176 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28177 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28178 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28179 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28180 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28181 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28182 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28183 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
28184 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28185 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28186 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
28187 (gdb)
28188 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28189 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28190 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28191 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
28192 @c (gdb)
28193 @end smallexample
28194
28195 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28196 @findex -break-list
28197
28198 @subsubheading Synopsis
28199
28200 @smallexample
28201 -break-list
28202 @end smallexample
28203
28204 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28205
28206 @table @samp
28207 @item Number
28208 number of the breakpoint
28209 @item Type
28210 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28211 @item Disposition
28212 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28213 or @samp{nokeep}
28214 @item Enabled
28215 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28216 @item Address
28217 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28218 @item What
28219 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28220 name, line number
28221 @item Times
28222 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28223 @end table
28224
28225 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28226 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28227
28228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28229
28230 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28231
28232 @subsubheading Example
28233
28234 @smallexample
28235 (gdb)
28236 -break-list
28237 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28238 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28239 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28240 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28241 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28242 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28243 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28244 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28245 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
28246 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28247 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28248 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
28249 (gdb)
28250 @end smallexample
28251
28252 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28253
28254 @smallexample
28255 (gdb)
28256 -break-list
28257 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28258 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28259 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28260 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28261 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28262 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28263 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28264 body=[]@}
28265 (gdb)
28266 @end smallexample
28267
28268 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28269 @findex -break-passcount
28270
28271 @subsubheading Synopsis
28272
28273 @smallexample
28274 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28275 @end smallexample
28276
28277 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28278 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28279 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28280 command @samp{passcount}.
28281
28282 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28283 @findex -break-watch
28284
28285 @subsubheading Synopsis
28286
28287 @smallexample
28288 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28289 @end smallexample
28290
28291 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28292 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28293 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28294 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28295 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28296 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28297 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28298 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28299
28300 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28301 breakpoints inserted.
28302
28303 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28304
28305 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28306 @samp{rwatch}.
28307
28308 @subsubheading Example
28309
28310 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28311
28312 @smallexample
28313 (gdb)
28314 -break-watch x
28315 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28316 (gdb)
28317 -exec-continue
28318 ^running
28319 (gdb)
28320 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28321 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28322 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28323 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28324 (gdb)
28325 @end smallexample
28326
28327 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28328 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28329 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28330
28331 @smallexample
28332 (gdb)
28333 -break-watch C
28334 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28335 (gdb)
28336 -exec-continue
28337 ^running
28338 (gdb)
28339 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28340 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28341 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28342 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28343 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28344 (gdb)
28345 -exec-continue
28346 ^running
28347 (gdb)
28348 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28349 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28350 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28351 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28352 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28353 (gdb)
28354 @end smallexample
28355
28356 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28357 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28358 deleted.
28359
28360 @smallexample
28361 (gdb)
28362 -break-watch C
28363 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28364 (gdb)
28365 -break-list
28366 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28367 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28368 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28369 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28370 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28371 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28372 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28373 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28374 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28375 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28376 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
28377 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28378 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
28379 (gdb)
28380 -exec-continue
28381 ^running
28382 (gdb)
28383 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28384 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28385 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28386 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28387 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28388 (gdb)
28389 -break-list
28390 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28391 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28392 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28393 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28394 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28395 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28396 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28397 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28398 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28399 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28400 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
28401 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28402 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
28403 (gdb)
28404 -exec-continue
28405 ^running
28406 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28407 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28408 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28409 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28410 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28411 (gdb)
28412 -break-list
28413 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28414 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28415 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28416 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28417 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28418 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28419 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28420 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28421 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28422 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28423 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28424 times="1"@}]@}
28425 (gdb)
28426 @end smallexample
28427
28428 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28429 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28430 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28431
28432 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28433 @findex -exec-arguments
28434
28435
28436 @subsubheading Synopsis
28437
28438 @smallexample
28439 -exec-arguments @var{args}
28440 @end smallexample
28441
28442 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
28443 @samp{-exec-run}.
28444
28445 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28446
28447 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
28448
28449 @subsubheading Example
28450
28451 @smallexample
28452 (gdb)
28453 -exec-arguments -v word
28454 ^done
28455 (gdb)
28456 @end smallexample
28457
28458
28459 @ignore
28460 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
28461 @findex -exec-show-arguments
28462
28463 @subsubheading Synopsis
28464
28465 @smallexample
28466 -exec-show-arguments
28467 @end smallexample
28468
28469 Print the arguments of the program.
28470
28471 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28472
28473 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
28474
28475 @subsubheading Example
28476 N.A.
28477 @end ignore
28478
28479
28480 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
28481 @findex -environment-cd
28482
28483 @subsubheading Synopsis
28484
28485 @smallexample
28486 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
28487 @end smallexample
28488
28489 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
28490
28491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28492
28493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
28494
28495 @subsubheading Example
28496
28497 @smallexample
28498 (gdb)
28499 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28500 ^done
28501 (gdb)
28502 @end smallexample
28503
28504
28505 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
28506 @findex -environment-directory
28507
28508 @subsubheading Synopsis
28509
28510 @smallexample
28511 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28512 @end smallexample
28513
28514 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
28515 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
28516 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
28517 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28518 occurs as normal.
28519 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28520 multiple directories in a single command
28521 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28522 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28523 If blanks are needed as
28524 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28525 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28526 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28527 character must not be used
28528 in any directory name.
28529 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
28530
28531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28532
28533 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
28534
28535 @subsubheading Example
28536
28537 @smallexample
28538 (gdb)
28539 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28540 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28541 (gdb)
28542 -environment-directory ""
28543 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28544 (gdb)
28545 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
28546 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
28547 (gdb)
28548 -environment-directory -r
28549 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
28550 (gdb)
28551 @end smallexample
28552
28553
28554 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
28555 @findex -environment-path
28556
28557 @subsubheading Synopsis
28558
28559 @smallexample
28560 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28561 @end smallexample
28562
28563 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
28564 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
28565 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
28566 supplied in addition to the
28567 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28568 occurs as normal.
28569 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28570 multiple directories in a single command
28571 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28572 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28573 If blanks are needed as
28574 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28575 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28576 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28577 character must not be used
28578 in any directory name.
28579 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
28580
28581
28582 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28583
28584 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
28585
28586 @subsubheading Example
28587
28588 @smallexample
28589 (gdb)
28590 -environment-path
28591 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
28592 (gdb)
28593 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
28594 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
28595 (gdb)
28596 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
28597 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
28598 (gdb)
28599 @end smallexample
28600
28601
28602 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
28603 @findex -environment-pwd
28604
28605 @subsubheading Synopsis
28606
28607 @smallexample
28608 -environment-pwd
28609 @end smallexample
28610
28611 Show the current working directory.
28612
28613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28614
28615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
28616
28617 @subsubheading Example
28618
28619 @smallexample
28620 (gdb)
28621 -environment-pwd
28622 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
28623 (gdb)
28624 @end smallexample
28625
28626 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28627 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
28628 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
28629
28630
28631 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
28632 @findex -thread-info
28633
28634 @subsubheading Synopsis
28635
28636 @smallexample
28637 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
28638 @end smallexample
28639
28640 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
28641 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
28642 threads. When printing information about all threads,
28643 also reports the current thread.
28644
28645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28646
28647 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
28648 about all threads.
28649
28650 @subsubheading Result
28651
28652 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
28653 defined for a given thread:
28654
28655 @table @samp
28656 @item current
28657 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28658
28659 @item id
28660 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
28661
28662 @item target-id
28663 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
28664
28665 @item details
28666 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
28667 field is optional.
28668
28669 @item name
28670 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28671 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28672 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28673 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28674 field is omitted.
28675
28676 @item frame
28677 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
28678
28679 @item state
28680 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
28681 values:
28682
28683 @table @code
28684 @item stopped
28685 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
28686 threads.
28687
28688 @item running
28689 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
28690 threads.
28691
28692 @end table
28693
28694 @item core
28695 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
28696 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
28697
28698 @end table
28699
28700 @subsubheading Example
28701
28702 @smallexample
28703 -thread-info
28704 ^done,threads=[
28705 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28706 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
28707 args=[]@},state="running"@},
28708 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28709 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
28710 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28711 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
28712 state="running"@}],
28713 current-thread-id="1"
28714 (gdb)
28715 @end smallexample
28716
28717 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
28718 @findex -thread-list-ids
28719
28720 @subsubheading Synopsis
28721
28722 @smallexample
28723 -thread-list-ids
28724 @end smallexample
28725
28726 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
28727 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
28728
28729 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
28730 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
28731
28732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28733
28734 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
28735
28736 @subsubheading Example
28737
28738 @smallexample
28739 (gdb)
28740 -thread-list-ids
28741 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28742 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
28743 (gdb)
28744 @end smallexample
28745
28746
28747 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
28748 @findex -thread-select
28749
28750 @subsubheading Synopsis
28751
28752 @smallexample
28753 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
28754 @end smallexample
28755
28756 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
28757 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
28758
28759 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
28760 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
28761
28762 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28763
28764 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
28765
28766 @subsubheading Example
28767
28768 @smallexample
28769 (gdb)
28770 -exec-next
28771 ^running
28772 (gdb)
28773 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
28774 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
28775 (gdb)
28776 -thread-list-ids
28777 ^done,
28778 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28779 number-of-threads="3"
28780 (gdb)
28781 -thread-select 3
28782 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
28783 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
28784 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
28785 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
28786 (gdb)
28787 @end smallexample
28788
28789 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28790 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
28791 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
28792
28793 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
28794 @findex -ada-task-info
28795
28796 @subsubheading Synopsis
28797
28798 @smallexample
28799 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
28800 @end smallexample
28801
28802 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
28803 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
28804
28805 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28806
28807 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
28808 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
28809
28810 @subsubheading Result
28811
28812 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
28813 defined for each Ada task:
28814
28815 @table @samp
28816 @item current
28817 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28818
28819 @item id
28820 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
28821
28822 @item task-id
28823 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
28824
28825 @item thread-id
28826 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
28827
28828 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
28829 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
28830 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
28831
28832 @item parent-id
28833 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
28834 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
28835
28836 @item priority
28837 The base priority of the task.
28838
28839 @item state
28840 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
28841 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
28842
28843 @item name
28844 The name of the task.
28845
28846 @end table
28847
28848 @subsubheading Example
28849
28850 @smallexample
28851 -ada-task-info
28852 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
28853 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
28854 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
28855 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
28856 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
28857 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
28858 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
28859 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
28860 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
28861 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
28862 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
28863 (gdb)
28864 @end smallexample
28865
28866 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28867 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
28868 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
28869
28870 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
28871 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
28872 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
28873 other cases.
28874
28875 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
28876 @findex -exec-continue
28877
28878 @subsubheading Synopsis
28879
28880 @smallexample
28881 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
28882 @end smallexample
28883
28884 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
28885 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
28886 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
28887 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
28888 @itemize @bullet
28889 @item
28890 breakpoints or watchpoints
28891 @item
28892 signals or exceptions
28893 @item
28894 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
28895 @item
28896 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
28897 @end itemize
28898 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
28899 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
28900 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
28901 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
28902 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
28903 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
28904
28905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28906
28907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
28908
28909 @subsubheading Example
28910
28911 @smallexample
28912 -exec-continue
28913 ^running
28914 (gdb)
28915 @@Hello world
28916 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
28917 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
28918 line="13"@}
28919 (gdb)
28920 @end smallexample
28921
28922
28923 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
28924 @findex -exec-finish
28925
28926 @subsubheading Synopsis
28927
28928 @smallexample
28929 -exec-finish [--reverse]
28930 @end smallexample
28931
28932 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
28933 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
28934 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
28935 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
28936 function was called.
28937
28938 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28939
28940 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
28941
28942 @subsubheading Example
28943
28944 Function returning @code{void}.
28945
28946 @smallexample
28947 -exec-finish
28948 ^running
28949 (gdb)
28950 @@hello from foo
28951 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28952 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
28953 (gdb)
28954 @end smallexample
28955
28956 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
28957 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
28958 value itself.
28959
28960 @smallexample
28961 -exec-finish
28962 ^running
28963 (gdb)
28964 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
28965 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
28966 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28967 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
28968 (gdb)
28969 @end smallexample
28970
28971
28972 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
28973 @findex -exec-interrupt
28974
28975 @subsubheading Synopsis
28976
28977 @smallexample
28978 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
28979 @end smallexample
28980
28981 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
28982 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
28983 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
28984 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
28985 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
28986
28987 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
28988 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
28989 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
28990 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
28991
28992 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
28993 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
28994 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
28995 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
28996
28997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28998
28999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29000
29001 @subsubheading Example
29002
29003 @smallexample
29004 (gdb)
29005 111-exec-continue
29006 111^running
29007
29008 (gdb)
29009 222-exec-interrupt
29010 222^done
29011 (gdb)
29012 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29013 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29014 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29015 (gdb)
29016
29017 (gdb)
29018 -exec-interrupt
29019 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29020 (gdb)
29021 @end smallexample
29022
29023 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29024 @findex -exec-jump
29025
29026 @subsubheading Synopsis
29027
29028 @smallexample
29029 -exec-jump @var{location}
29030 @end smallexample
29031
29032 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29033 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29034 different forms of @var{location}.
29035
29036 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29037
29038 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29039
29040 @subsubheading Example
29041
29042 @smallexample
29043 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29044 *running,thread-id="all"
29045 ^running
29046 @end smallexample
29047
29048
29049 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29050 @findex -exec-next
29051
29052 @subsubheading Synopsis
29053
29054 @smallexample
29055 -exec-next [--reverse]
29056 @end smallexample
29057
29058 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29059 of the next source line is reached.
29060
29061 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29062 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29063 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29064 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29065 source line where the function was called.
29066
29067
29068 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29069
29070 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29071
29072 @subsubheading Example
29073
29074 @smallexample
29075 -exec-next
29076 ^running
29077 (gdb)
29078 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29079 (gdb)
29080 @end smallexample
29081
29082
29083 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29084 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29085
29086 @subsubheading Synopsis
29087
29088 @smallexample
29089 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29090 @end smallexample
29091
29092 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29093 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29094 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29095 printed as well.
29096
29097 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29098 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29099 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29100 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29101 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29102
29103 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29104
29105 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29106
29107 @subsubheading Example
29108
29109 @smallexample
29110 (gdb)
29111 -exec-next-instruction
29112 ^running
29113
29114 (gdb)
29115 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29116 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29117 (gdb)
29118 @end smallexample
29119
29120
29121 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29122 @findex -exec-return
29123
29124 @subsubheading Synopsis
29125
29126 @smallexample
29127 -exec-return
29128 @end smallexample
29129
29130 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29131 Displays the new current frame.
29132
29133 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29134
29135 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29136
29137 @subsubheading Example
29138
29139 @smallexample
29140 (gdb)
29141 200-break-insert callee4
29142 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29143 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29144 (gdb)
29145 000-exec-run
29146 000^running
29147 (gdb)
29148 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29149 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29150 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29151 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29152 (gdb)
29153 205-break-delete
29154 205^done
29155 (gdb)
29156 111-exec-return
29157 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29158 args=[@{name="strarg",
29159 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29160 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29161 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29162 (gdb)
29163 @end smallexample
29164
29165
29166 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29167 @findex -exec-run
29168
29169 @subsubheading Synopsis
29170
29171 @smallexample
29172 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29173 @end smallexample
29174
29175 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29176 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29177 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29178 the program has exited exceptionally.
29179
29180 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29181 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29182 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29183 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29184
29185 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29186
29187 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29188
29189 @subsubheading Examples
29190
29191 @smallexample
29192 (gdb)
29193 -break-insert main
29194 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29195 (gdb)
29196 -exec-run
29197 ^running
29198 (gdb)
29199 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29200 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29201 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29202 (gdb)
29203 @end smallexample
29204
29205 @noindent
29206 Program exited normally:
29207
29208 @smallexample
29209 (gdb)
29210 -exec-run
29211 ^running
29212 (gdb)
29213 x = 55
29214 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29215 (gdb)
29216 @end smallexample
29217
29218 @noindent
29219 Program exited exceptionally:
29220
29221 @smallexample
29222 (gdb)
29223 -exec-run
29224 ^running
29225 (gdb)
29226 x = 55
29227 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29228 (gdb)
29229 @end smallexample
29230
29231 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29232 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29233
29234 @smallexample
29235 (gdb)
29236 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29237 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29238 @end smallexample
29239
29240
29241 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29242
29243
29244 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29245 @findex -exec-step
29246
29247 @subsubheading Synopsis
29248
29249 @smallexample
29250 -exec-step [--reverse]
29251 @end smallexample
29252
29253 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29254 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29255 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29256 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29257 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29258 previously executed source line.
29259
29260 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29261
29262 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29263
29264 @subsubheading Example
29265
29266 Stepping into a function:
29267
29268 @smallexample
29269 -exec-step
29270 ^running
29271 (gdb)
29272 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29273 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29274 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29275 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29276 (gdb)
29277 @end smallexample
29278
29279 Regular stepping:
29280
29281 @smallexample
29282 -exec-step
29283 ^running
29284 (gdb)
29285 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29286 (gdb)
29287 @end smallexample
29288
29289
29290 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29291 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29292
29293 @subsubheading Synopsis
29294
29295 @smallexample
29296 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29297 @end smallexample
29298
29299 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29300 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29301 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29302 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29303 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29304 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29305 as well.
29306
29307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29308
29309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29310
29311 @subsubheading Example
29312
29313 @smallexample
29314 (gdb)
29315 -exec-step-instruction
29316 ^running
29317
29318 (gdb)
29319 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29320 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29321 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29322 (gdb)
29323 -exec-step-instruction
29324 ^running
29325
29326 (gdb)
29327 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29328 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29329 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29330 (gdb)
29331 @end smallexample
29332
29333
29334 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29335 @findex -exec-until
29336
29337 @subsubheading Synopsis
29338
29339 @smallexample
29340 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29341 @end smallexample
29342
29343 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29344 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29345 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29346 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29347
29348 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29349
29350 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29351
29352 @subsubheading Example
29353
29354 @smallexample
29355 (gdb)
29356 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29357 ^running
29358 (gdb)
29359 x = 55
29360 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29361 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29362 (gdb)
29363 @end smallexample
29364
29365 @ignore
29366 @subheading -file-clear
29367 Is this going away????
29368 @end ignore
29369
29370 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29371 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29372 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29373
29374
29375 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29376 @findex -stack-info-frame
29377
29378 @subsubheading Synopsis
29379
29380 @smallexample
29381 -stack-info-frame
29382 @end smallexample
29383
29384 Get info on the selected frame.
29385
29386 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29387
29388 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29389 (without arguments).
29390
29391 @subsubheading Example
29392
29393 @smallexample
29394 (gdb)
29395 -stack-info-frame
29396 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29397 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29398 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29399 (gdb)
29400 @end smallexample
29401
29402 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29403 @findex -stack-info-depth
29404
29405 @subsubheading Synopsis
29406
29407 @smallexample
29408 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29409 @end smallexample
29410
29411 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29412 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29413
29414 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29415
29416 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29417
29418 @subsubheading Example
29419
29420 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29421
29422 @smallexample
29423 (gdb)
29424 -stack-info-depth
29425 ^done,depth="12"
29426 (gdb)
29427 -stack-info-depth 4
29428 ^done,depth="4"
29429 (gdb)
29430 -stack-info-depth 12
29431 ^done,depth="12"
29432 (gdb)
29433 -stack-info-depth 11
29434 ^done,depth="11"
29435 (gdb)
29436 -stack-info-depth 13
29437 ^done,depth="12"
29438 (gdb)
29439 @end smallexample
29440
29441 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
29442 @findex -stack-list-arguments
29443
29444 @subsubheading Synopsis
29445
29446 @smallexample
29447 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
29448 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29449 @end smallexample
29450
29451 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
29452 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
29453 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
29454 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
29455 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
29456 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
29457 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
29458 which case only existing frames will be returned.
29459
29460 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29461 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29462 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29463 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29464 structures and unions.
29465
29466 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
29467 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29468
29469 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29470
29471 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
29472 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
29473 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
29474
29475 @subsubheading Example
29476
29477 @smallexample
29478 (gdb)
29479 -stack-list-frames
29480 ^done,
29481 stack=[
29482 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29483 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29484 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
29485 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29486 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29487 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
29488 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
29489 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29490 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
29491 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
29492 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29493 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
29494 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
29495 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29496 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
29497 (gdb)
29498 -stack-list-arguments 0
29499 ^done,
29500 stack-args=[
29501 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29502 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
29503 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
29504 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
29505 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29506 (gdb)
29507 -stack-list-arguments 1
29508 ^done,
29509 stack-args=[
29510 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29511 frame=@{level="1",
29512 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29513 frame=@{level="2",args=[
29514 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29515 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29516 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
29517 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29518 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
29519 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
29520 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29521 (gdb)
29522 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
29523 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
29524 (gdb)
29525 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
29526 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
29527 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29528 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
29529 (gdb)
29530 @end smallexample
29531
29532 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
29533
29534
29535 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
29536 @findex -stack-list-frames
29537
29538 @subsubheading Synopsis
29539
29540 @smallexample
29541 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29542 @end smallexample
29543
29544 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
29545 following info:
29546
29547 @table @samp
29548 @item @var{level}
29549 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
29550 @item @var{addr}
29551 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
29552 @item @var{func}
29553 Function name.
29554 @item @var{file}
29555 File name of the source file where the function lives.
29556 @item @var{fullname}
29557 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
29558 @item @var{line}
29559 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
29560 @item @var{from}
29561 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
29562 if the frame's function is not known.
29563 @end table
29564
29565 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
29566 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
29567 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
29568 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
29569 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
29570 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
29571 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
29572
29573 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29574
29575 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
29576
29577 @subsubheading Example
29578
29579 Full stack backtrace:
29580
29581 @smallexample
29582 (gdb)
29583 -stack-list-frames
29584 ^done,stack=
29585 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
29586 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
29587 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29588 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29589 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29590 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29591 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29592 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29593 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29594 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29595 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29596 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29597 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29598 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29599 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29600 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29601 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29602 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29603 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29604 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29605 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29606 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29607 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
29608 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
29609 (gdb)
29610 @end smallexample
29611
29612 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
29613
29614 @smallexample
29615 (gdb)
29616 -stack-list-frames 3 5
29617 ^done,stack=
29618 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29619 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29620 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29621 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29622 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29623 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29624 (gdb)
29625 @end smallexample
29626
29627 Show a single frame:
29628
29629 @smallexample
29630 (gdb)
29631 -stack-list-frames 3 3
29632 ^done,stack=
29633 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29634 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29635 (gdb)
29636 @end smallexample
29637
29638
29639 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
29640 @findex -stack-list-locals
29641
29642 @subsubheading Synopsis
29643
29644 @smallexample
29645 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
29646 @end smallexample
29647
29648 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
29649 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29650 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29651 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29652 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29653 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
29654 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
29655 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
29656 more detail.
29657
29658 This command is deprecated in favor of the
29659 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29660
29661 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29662
29663 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
29664
29665 @subsubheading Example
29666
29667 @smallexample
29668 (gdb)
29669 -stack-list-locals 0
29670 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
29671 (gdb)
29672 -stack-list-locals --all-values
29673 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
29674 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
29675 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
29676 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
29677 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
29678 (gdb)
29679 @end smallexample
29680
29681 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
29682 @findex -stack-list-variables
29683
29684 @subsubheading Synopsis
29685
29686 @smallexample
29687 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
29688 @end smallexample
29689
29690 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
29691 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29692 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29693 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29694 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29695 structures and unions.
29696
29697 @subsubheading Example
29698
29699 @smallexample
29700 (gdb)
29701 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
29702 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
29703 (gdb)
29704 @end smallexample
29705
29706
29707 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
29708 @findex -stack-select-frame
29709
29710 @subsubheading Synopsis
29711
29712 @smallexample
29713 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
29714 @end smallexample
29715
29716 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
29717 the stack.
29718
29719 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
29720 option to every command.
29721
29722 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29723
29724 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
29725 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
29726
29727 @subsubheading Example
29728
29729 @smallexample
29730 (gdb)
29731 -stack-select-frame 2
29732 ^done
29733 (gdb)
29734 @end smallexample
29735
29736 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29737 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
29738 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
29739
29740 @ignore
29741
29742 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29743
29744 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
29745 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
29746 used by @code{Insight}.
29747
29748 The two main reasons for that are:
29749
29750 @enumerate 1
29751 @item
29752 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
29753
29754 @item
29755 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
29756 now).
29757 @end enumerate
29758
29759 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
29760 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
29761 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
29762 hints about their use.
29763
29764 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
29765 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
29766 least, the following operations:
29767
29768 @itemize @bullet
29769 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
29770 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
29771 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
29772 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
29773 @end itemize
29774
29775 @end ignore
29776
29777 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
29778
29779 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29780
29781 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
29782 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
29783 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
29784 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
29785 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
29786 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
29787 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
29788 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
29789 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
29790 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
29791 object, or to change display format.
29792
29793 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
29794 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
29795 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
29796 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
29797 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
29798 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
29799 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
29800 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
29801 child will be created.
29802
29803 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
29804 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
29805 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
29806 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
29807 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
29808
29809 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
29810 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
29811 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
29812 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
29813 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
29814 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
29815 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
29816 variables that frontend has created.
29817
29818 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
29819 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
29820 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
29821 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
29822 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
29823 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
29824 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
29825 implicitly updated.
29826
29827 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
29828 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
29829 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
29830 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
29831 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
29832 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
29833 frame. Consider this example:
29834
29835 @smallexample
29836 void do_work(...)
29837 @{
29838 struct work_state state;
29839
29840 if (...)
29841 do_work(...);
29842 @}
29843 @end smallexample
29844
29845 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
29846 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
29847 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
29848 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
29849 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
29850
29851 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
29852 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
29853 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
29854 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
29855 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
29856 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
29857
29858 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
29859 access this functionality:
29860
29861 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
29862 @item @strong{Operation}
29863 @tab @strong{Description}
29864
29865 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
29866 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
29867 @item @code{-var-create}
29868 @tab create a variable object
29869 @item @code{-var-delete}
29870 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
29871 @item @code{-var-set-format}
29872 @tab set the display format of this variable
29873 @item @code{-var-show-format}
29874 @tab show the display format of this variable
29875 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
29876 @tab tells how many children this object has
29877 @item @code{-var-list-children}
29878 @tab return a list of the object's children
29879 @item @code{-var-info-type}
29880 @tab show the type of this variable object
29881 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
29882 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
29883 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
29884 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
29885 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
29886 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
29887 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
29888 @tab get the value of this variable
29889 @item @code{-var-assign}
29890 @tab set the value of this variable
29891 @item @code{-var-update}
29892 @tab update the variable and its children
29893 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
29894 @tab set frozeness attribute
29895 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
29896 @tab set range of children to display on update
29897 @end multitable
29898
29899 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
29900 how it can be used.
29901
29902 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
29903
29904 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
29905 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
29906
29907 @smallexample
29908 -enable-pretty-printing
29909 @end smallexample
29910
29911 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
29912 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
29913 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29914 request that this functionality be enabled.
29915
29916 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29917
29918 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29919 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
29920
29921 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
29922 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
29923
29924 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
29925 @findex -var-create
29926
29927 @subsubheading Synopsis
29928
29929 @smallexample
29930 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
29931 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
29932 @end smallexample
29933
29934 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
29935 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
29936 register.
29937
29938 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
29939 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
29940 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
29941 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
29942 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
29943
29944 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
29945 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
29946 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
29947 object must be created.
29948
29949 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
29950 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
29951
29952 @itemize @bullet
29953 @item
29954 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
29955
29956 @item
29957 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
29958
29959 @item
29960 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
29961 @end itemize
29962
29963 @cindex dynamic varobj
29964 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
29965 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
29966 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
29967 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
29968 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
29969 compatibility for existing clients.
29970
29971 @subsubheading Result
29972
29973 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
29974 are:
29975
29976 @table @samp
29977 @item name
29978 The name of the varobj.
29979
29980 @item numchild
29981 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
29982 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
29983 @samp{has_more} attribute.
29984
29985 @item value
29986 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
29987 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
29988 will not be interesting.
29989
29990 @item type
29991 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
29992 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
29993 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
29994 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
29995 @emph{declared} one.
29996
29997 @item thread-id
29998 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
29999 thread's identifier.
30000
30001 @item has_more
30002 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30003 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30004
30005 @item dynamic
30006 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30007 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30008 then this attribute will not be present.
30009
30010 @item displayhint
30011 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30012 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30013 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30014 @end table
30015
30016 Typical output will look like this:
30017
30018 @smallexample
30019 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30020 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30021 @end smallexample
30022
30023
30024 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30025 @findex -var-delete
30026
30027 @subsubheading Synopsis
30028
30029 @smallexample
30030 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30031 @end smallexample
30032
30033 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30034 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30035
30036 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30037
30038
30039 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30040 @findex -var-set-format
30041
30042 @subsubheading Synopsis
30043
30044 @smallexample
30045 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30046 @end smallexample
30047
30048 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30049 @var{format-spec}.
30050
30051 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30052 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30053
30054 @smallexample
30055 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30056 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30057 @end smallexample
30058
30059 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30060 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30061 for pointers, etc.).
30062
30063 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30064 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30065
30066 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30067 @findex -var-show-format
30068
30069 @subsubheading Synopsis
30070
30071 @smallexample
30072 -var-show-format @var{name}
30073 @end smallexample
30074
30075 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30076
30077 @smallexample
30078 @var{format} @expansion{}
30079 @var{format-spec}
30080 @end smallexample
30081
30082
30083 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30084 @findex -var-info-num-children
30085
30086 @subsubheading Synopsis
30087
30088 @smallexample
30089 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30090 @end smallexample
30091
30092 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30093
30094 @smallexample
30095 numchild=@var{n}
30096 @end smallexample
30097
30098 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30099 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30100 be available.
30101
30102
30103 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30104 @findex -var-list-children
30105
30106 @subsubheading Synopsis
30107
30108 @smallexample
30109 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30110 @end smallexample
30111 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30112
30113 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30114 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30115 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30116 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30117 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30118 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30119 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30120 and unions.
30121
30122 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30123 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30124 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30125 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30126 reported.
30127
30128 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30129 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30130 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30131 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30132 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30133 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30134 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30135 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30136 the visible items.
30137
30138 For each child the following results are returned:
30139
30140 @table @var
30141
30142 @item name
30143 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30144
30145 @item exp
30146 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30147 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30148
30149 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30150 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30151
30152 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30153 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30154 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30155 type and value are not present.
30156
30157 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30158 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30159 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30160
30161 @item numchild
30162 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30163 0.
30164
30165 @item type
30166 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30167 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30168 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30169 @emph{declared} one.
30170
30171 @item value
30172 If values were requested, this is the value.
30173
30174 @item thread-id
30175 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30176 Otherwise this result is not present.
30177
30178 @item frozen
30179 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30180 @end table
30181
30182 The result may have its own attributes:
30183
30184 @table @samp
30185 @item displayhint
30186 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30187 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30188 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30189
30190 @item has_more
30191 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30192 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30193 @end table
30194
30195 @subsubheading Example
30196
30197 @smallexample
30198 (gdb)
30199 -var-list-children n
30200 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30201 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30202 (gdb)
30203 -var-list-children --all-values n
30204 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30205 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30206 @end smallexample
30207
30208
30209 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30210 @findex -var-info-type
30211
30212 @subsubheading Synopsis
30213
30214 @smallexample
30215 -var-info-type @var{name}
30216 @end smallexample
30217
30218 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30219 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30220 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30221
30222 @smallexample
30223 type=@var{typename}
30224 @end smallexample
30225
30226
30227 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30228 @findex -var-info-expression
30229
30230 @subsubheading Synopsis
30231
30232 @smallexample
30233 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30234 @end smallexample
30235
30236 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30237 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30238 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30239
30240 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30241 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30242
30243 @smallexample
30244 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30245 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30246 @end smallexample
30247
30248 @noindent
30249 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30250
30251 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30252 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30253 is of limited use.
30254
30255 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30256 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30257
30258 @subsubheading Synopsis
30259
30260 @smallexample
30261 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30262 @end smallexample
30263
30264 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30265 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30266 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30267 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30268 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30269 watchpoint from a variable object.
30270
30271 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30272 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30273
30274 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30275 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30276 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30277 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30278 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30279 @smallexample
30280 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30281 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30282 @end smallexample
30283
30284 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30285 @findex -var-show-attributes
30286
30287 @subsubheading Synopsis
30288
30289 @smallexample
30290 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30291 @end smallexample
30292
30293 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30294
30295 @smallexample
30296 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30297 @end smallexample
30298
30299 @noindent
30300 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30301
30302 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30303 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30304
30305 @subsubheading Synopsis
30306
30307 @smallexample
30308 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30309 @end smallexample
30310
30311 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30312 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30313 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30314 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30315 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30316 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30317 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30318
30319 @smallexample
30320 value=@var{value}
30321 @end smallexample
30322
30323 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30324 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30325
30326 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30327 @findex -var-assign
30328
30329 @subsubheading Synopsis
30330
30331 @smallexample
30332 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30333 @end smallexample
30334
30335 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30336 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30337 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30338 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30339
30340 @subsubheading Example
30341
30342 @smallexample
30343 (gdb)
30344 -var-assign var1 3
30345 ^done,value="3"
30346 (gdb)
30347 -var-update *
30348 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30349 (gdb)
30350 @end smallexample
30351
30352 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30353 @findex -var-update
30354
30355 @subsubheading Synopsis
30356
30357 @smallexample
30358 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30359 @end smallexample
30360
30361 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30362 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30363 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30364 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30365 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30366 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30367 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30368 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30369 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30370 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30371 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30372 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30373 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30374
30375 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30376 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30377 diagnostic.
30378
30379 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30380 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30381
30382 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30383 @samp{changelist}.
30384
30385 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30386
30387 @table @samp
30388 @item name
30389 The name of the varobj.
30390
30391 @item value
30392 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30393 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30394
30395 @item in_scope
30396 @anchor{-var-update}
30397 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30398
30399 @table @code
30400 @item "true"
30401 The variable object's current value is valid.
30402
30403 @item "false"
30404 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30405 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30406 scope.
30407
30408 @item "invalid"
30409 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30410 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30411 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30412 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30413 objects.
30414 @end table
30415
30416 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30417 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30418
30419 @item type_changed
30420 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30421 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30422 be @samp{false}.
30423
30424 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30425 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30426 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30427 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30428 unset.
30429
30430 @item new_type
30431 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30432 hold the new type.
30433
30434 @item new_num_children
30435 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30436 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30437
30438 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
30439 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
30440 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
30441 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
30442 children which may be available.
30443
30444 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
30445 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
30446 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
30447 only happen at the end of the update range).
30448
30449 @item displayhint
30450 The display hint, if any.
30451
30452 @item has_more
30453 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
30454 available outside the varobj's update range.
30455
30456 @item dynamic
30457 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30458 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30459 then this attribute will not be present.
30460
30461 @item new_children
30462 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
30463 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
30464 be listed in this attribute.
30465 @end table
30466
30467 @subsubheading Example
30468
30469 @smallexample
30470 (gdb)
30471 -var-assign var1 3
30472 ^done,value="3"
30473 (gdb)
30474 -var-update --all-values var1
30475 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
30476 type_changed="false"@}]
30477 (gdb)
30478 @end smallexample
30479
30480 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
30481 @findex -var-set-frozen
30482 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
30483
30484 @subsubheading Synopsis
30485
30486 @smallexample
30487 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
30488 @end smallexample
30489
30490 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
30491 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
30492 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
30493 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
30494 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
30495 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
30496 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
30497 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
30498 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
30499 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
30500 @code{-var-update} does.
30501
30502 @subsubheading Example
30503
30504 @smallexample
30505 (gdb)
30506 -var-set-frozen V 1
30507 ^done
30508 (gdb)
30509 @end smallexample
30510
30511 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
30512 @findex -var-set-update-range
30513 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
30514
30515 @subsubheading Synopsis
30516
30517 @smallexample
30518 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
30519 @end smallexample
30520
30521 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
30522 @code{-var-update}.
30523
30524 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
30525 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
30526 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
30527 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
30528
30529 @subsubheading Example
30530
30531 @smallexample
30532 (gdb)
30533 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
30534 ^done
30535 @end smallexample
30536
30537 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
30538 @findex -var-set-visualizer
30539 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
30540
30541 @subsubheading Synopsis
30542
30543 @smallexample
30544 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
30545 @end smallexample
30546
30547 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
30548
30549 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
30550 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
30551
30552 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
30553 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
30554 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
30555 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
30556 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
30557 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
30558 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
30559
30560 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
30561 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
30562 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
30563 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
30564
30565 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
30566 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
30567 can be used to check this.
30568
30569 @subsubheading Example
30570
30571 Resetting the visualizer:
30572
30573 @smallexample
30574 (gdb)
30575 -var-set-visualizer V None
30576 ^done
30577 @end smallexample
30578
30579 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
30580
30581 @smallexample
30582 (gdb)
30583 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
30584 ^done
30585 @end smallexample
30586
30587 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
30588 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
30589
30590 @smallexample
30591 (gdb)
30592 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
30593 ^done
30594 @end smallexample
30595
30596 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30597 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
30598 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
30599
30600 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
30601 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
30602 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
30603 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
30604
30605 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
30606 @c @subheading -data-assign
30607 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
30608 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
30609 @c set variable
30610 @c @subsubheading Example
30611 @c N.A.
30612
30613 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
30614 @findex -data-disassemble
30615
30616 @subsubheading Synopsis
30617
30618 @smallexample
30619 -data-disassemble
30620 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
30621 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
30622 -- @var{mode}
30623 @end smallexample
30624
30625 @noindent
30626 Where:
30627
30628 @table @samp
30629 @item @var{start-addr}
30630 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
30631 @item @var{end-addr}
30632 is the end address
30633 @item @var{filename}
30634 is the name of the file to disassemble
30635 @item @var{linenum}
30636 is the line number to disassemble around
30637 @item @var{lines}
30638 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
30639 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
30640 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
30641 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
30642 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
30643 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
30644 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
30645 are displayed.
30646 @item @var{mode}
30647 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
30648 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
30649 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
30650 @end table
30651
30652 @subsubheading Result
30653
30654 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
30655
30656 @itemize @bullet
30657 @item Address
30658 @item Func-name
30659 @item Offset
30660 @item Instruction
30661 @end itemize
30662
30663 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
30664 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
30665
30666 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30667
30668 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
30669
30670 @subsubheading Example
30671
30672 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
30673
30674 @smallexample
30675 (gdb)
30676 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
30677 ^done,
30678 asm_insns=[
30679 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30680 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30681 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30682 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30683 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
30684 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
30685 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
30686 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30687 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
30688 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
30689 (gdb)
30690 @end smallexample
30691
30692 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
30693 @code{main}.
30694
30695 @smallexample
30696 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
30697 ^done,asm_insns=[
30698 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30699 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
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 [@dots{}]
30705 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
30706 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
30707 (gdb)
30708 @end smallexample
30709
30710 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
30711
30712 @smallexample
30713 (gdb)
30714 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
30715 ^done,asm_insns=[
30716 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30717 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30718 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30719 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30720 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30721 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
30722 (gdb)
30723 @end smallexample
30724
30725 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
30726
30727 @smallexample
30728 (gdb)
30729 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
30730 ^done,asm_insns=[
30731 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
30732 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30733 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30734 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30735 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
30736 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
30737 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30738 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
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
30747 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
30748 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
30749
30750 @subsubheading Synopsis
30751
30752 @smallexample
30753 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
30754 @end smallexample
30755
30756 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
30757 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
30758 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
30759
30760 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30761
30762 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
30763 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
30764 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
30765
30766 @subsubheading Example
30767
30768 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
30769 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
30770 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
30771 output.
30772
30773 @smallexample
30774 211-data-evaluate-expression A
30775 211^done,value="1"
30776 (gdb)
30777 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
30778 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
30779 (gdb)
30780 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
30781 411^done,value="4"
30782 (gdb)
30783 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
30784 511^done,value="4"
30785 (gdb)
30786 @end smallexample
30787
30788
30789 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
30790 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
30791
30792 @subsubheading Synopsis
30793
30794 @smallexample
30795 -data-list-changed-registers
30796 @end smallexample
30797
30798 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
30799
30800 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30801
30802 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
30803 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
30804
30805 @subsubheading Example
30806
30807 On a PPC MBX board:
30808
30809 @smallexample
30810 (gdb)
30811 -exec-continue
30812 ^running
30813
30814 (gdb)
30815 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
30816 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
30817 line="5"@}
30818 (gdb)
30819 -data-list-changed-registers
30820 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
30821 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
30822 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
30823 (gdb)
30824 @end smallexample
30825
30826
30827 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
30828 @findex -data-list-register-names
30829
30830 @subsubheading Synopsis
30831
30832 @smallexample
30833 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
30834 @end smallexample
30835
30836 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
30837 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
30838 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
30839 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
30840 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
30841 include empty register names.
30842
30843 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30844
30845 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
30846 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
30847 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
30848
30849 @subsubheading Example
30850
30851 For the PPC MBX board:
30852 @smallexample
30853 (gdb)
30854 -data-list-register-names
30855 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
30856 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
30857 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
30858 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
30859 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
30860 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
30861 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
30862 (gdb)
30863 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
30864 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
30865 (gdb)
30866 @end smallexample
30867
30868 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
30869 @findex -data-list-register-values
30870
30871 @subsubheading Synopsis
30872
30873 @smallexample
30874 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
30875 @end smallexample
30876
30877 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
30878 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
30879 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
30880 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
30881
30882 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
30883
30884 @table @code
30885 @item x
30886 Hexadecimal
30887 @item o
30888 Octal
30889 @item t
30890 Binary
30891 @item d
30892 Decimal
30893 @item r
30894 Raw
30895 @item N
30896 Natural
30897 @end table
30898
30899 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30900
30901 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
30902 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
30903
30904 @subsubheading Example
30905
30906 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
30907 don't appear in the actual output):
30908
30909 @smallexample
30910 (gdb)
30911 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
30912 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30913 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
30914 (gdb)
30915 -data-list-register-values x
30916 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
30917 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30918 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
30919 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
30920 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
30921 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
30922 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
30923 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
30924 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
30925 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30926 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
30927 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
30928 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
30929 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
30930 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
30931 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
30932 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
30933 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
30934 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
30935 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
30936 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
30937 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
30938 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
30939 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
30940 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
30941 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
30942 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
30943 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
30944 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
30945 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
30946 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
30947 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
30948 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30949 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
30950 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
30951 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
30952 (gdb)
30953 @end smallexample
30954
30955
30956 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
30957 @findex -data-read-memory
30958
30959 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
30960
30961 @subsubheading Synopsis
30962
30963 @smallexample
30964 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30965 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
30966 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
30967 @end smallexample
30968
30969 @noindent
30970 where:
30971
30972 @table @samp
30973 @item @var{address}
30974 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30975 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30976 quoted using the C convention.
30977
30978 @item @var{word-format}
30979 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
30980 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
30981 ,Output Formats}).
30982
30983 @item @var{word-size}
30984 The size of each memory word in bytes.
30985
30986 @item @var{nr-rows}
30987 The number of rows in the output table.
30988
30989 @item @var{nr-cols}
30990 The number of columns in the output table.
30991
30992 @item @var{aschar}
30993 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
30994 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
30995 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
30996 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
30997
30998 @item @var{byte-offset}
30999 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31000 @end table
31001
31002 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31003 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31004 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31005 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31006 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31007 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31008 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31009 @samp{addr}.
31010
31011 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31012 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31013 @samp{prev-page}.
31014
31015 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31016
31017 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31018 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31019
31020 @subsubheading Example
31021
31022 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31023 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31024 word. Display each word in hex.
31025
31026 @smallexample
31027 (gdb)
31028 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31029 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31030 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31031 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31032 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31033 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31034 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31035 (gdb)
31036 @end smallexample
31037
31038 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31039 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31040
31041 @smallexample
31042 (gdb)
31043 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31044 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31045 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31046 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31047 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31048 (gdb)
31049 @end smallexample
31050
31051 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31052 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31053 used as the non-printable character.
31054
31055 @smallexample
31056 (gdb)
31057 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31058 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31059 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31060 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31061 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31062 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31063 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31064 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31065 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31066 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31067 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31068 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31069 (gdb)
31070 @end smallexample
31071
31072 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31073 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31074
31075 @subsubheading Synopsis
31076
31077 @smallexample
31078 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31079 @var{address} @var{count}
31080 @end smallexample
31081
31082 @noindent
31083 where:
31084
31085 @table @samp
31086 @item @var{address}
31087 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31088 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31089 quoted using the C convention.
31090
31091 @item @var{count}
31092 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31093
31094 @item @var{byte-offset}
31095 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31096 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31097 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31098 perform address arithmetics itself.
31099
31100 @end table
31101
31102 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31103 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31104 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31105 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31106 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31107 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31108
31109 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31110 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31111 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31112 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31113 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31114 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31115 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31116 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31117
31118 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31119 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31120 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31121 and has the following fields:
31122
31123 @table @code
31124 @item begin
31125 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31126
31127 @item end
31128 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31129
31130 @item offset
31131 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31132 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31133
31134 @item contents
31135 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31136
31137 @end table
31138
31139
31140
31141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31142
31143 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31144
31145 @subsubheading Example
31146
31147 @smallexample
31148 (gdb)
31149 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31150 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31151 end="0xbffff15e",
31152 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31153 (gdb)
31154 @end smallexample
31155
31156
31157 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31158 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31159
31160 @subsubheading Synopsis
31161
31162 @smallexample
31163 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31164 @end smallexample
31165
31166 @noindent
31167 where:
31168
31169 @table @samp
31170 @item @var{address}
31171 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31172 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31173 quoted using the C convention.
31174
31175 @item @var{contents}
31176 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31177
31178 @end table
31179
31180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31181
31182 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31183
31184 @subsubheading Example
31185
31186 @smallexample
31187 (gdb)
31188 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31189 ^done
31190 (gdb)
31191 @end smallexample
31192
31193
31194 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31195 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31196 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31197
31198 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31199 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31200
31201 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31202 @findex -trace-find
31203
31204 @subsubheading Synopsis
31205
31206 @smallexample
31207 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31208 @end smallexample
31209
31210 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31211 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31212 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31213
31214 @table @samp
31215
31216 @item none
31217 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31218
31219 @item frame-number
31220 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31221 that index.
31222
31223 @item tracepoint-number
31224 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31225 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31226
31227 @item pc
31228 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31229 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31230 address.
31231
31232 @item pc-inside-range
31233 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31234 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31235 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31236
31237 @item pc-outside-range
31238 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31239 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31240 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31241
31242 @item line
31243 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31244 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31245 the specified location.
31246
31247 @end table
31248
31249 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31250 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31251
31252 @table @samp
31253 @item found
31254 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31255 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31256
31257 @item traceframe
31258 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31259 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31260
31261 @item tracepoint
31262 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31263 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31264
31265 @item frame
31266 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31267 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31268 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31269
31270 @end table
31271
31272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31273
31274 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31275
31276 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31277 @findex -trace-define-variable
31278
31279 @subsubheading Synopsis
31280
31281 @smallexample
31282 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31283 @end smallexample
31284
31285 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31286 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31287 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31288 with the @samp{$} character.
31289
31290 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31291
31292 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31293
31294 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31295 @findex -trace-list-variables
31296
31297 @subsubheading Synopsis
31298
31299 @smallexample
31300 -trace-list-variables
31301 @end smallexample
31302
31303 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31304 table has the following fields:
31305
31306 @table @samp
31307 @item name
31308 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31309
31310 @item initial
31311 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31312 field is always present.
31313
31314 @item current
31315 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31316 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31317 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31318 presently running.
31319
31320 @end table
31321
31322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31323
31324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31325
31326 @subsubheading Example
31327
31328 @smallexample
31329 (gdb)
31330 -trace-list-variables
31331 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31332 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31333 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31334 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31335 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31336 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31337 (gdb)
31338 @end smallexample
31339
31340 @subheading -trace-save
31341 @findex -trace-save
31342
31343 @subsubheading Synopsis
31344
31345 @smallexample
31346 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
31347 @end smallexample
31348
31349 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31350 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31351 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31352 to perform the save.
31353
31354 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31355
31356 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31357
31358
31359 @subheading -trace-start
31360 @findex -trace-start
31361
31362 @subsubheading Synopsis
31363
31364 @smallexample
31365 -trace-start
31366 @end smallexample
31367
31368 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
31369 have any fields.
31370
31371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31372
31373 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31374
31375 @subheading -trace-status
31376 @findex -trace-status
31377
31378 @subsubheading Synopsis
31379
31380 @smallexample
31381 -trace-status
31382 @end smallexample
31383
31384 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
31385 the following fields:
31386
31387 @table @samp
31388
31389 @item supported
31390 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
31391 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
31392 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
31393 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
31394 started. This field is always present.
31395
31396 @item running
31397 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
31398 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
31399 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31400
31401 @item stop-reason
31402 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
31403 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
31404 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
31405 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
31406 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
31407 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
31408 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
31409 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
31410 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31411
31412 @item stopping-tracepoint
31413 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
31414 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
31415 @samp{passcount}.
31416
31417 @item frames
31418 @itemx frames-created
31419 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
31420 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
31421 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
31422 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
31423
31424 @item buffer-size
31425 @itemx buffer-free
31426 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
31427 remaining space. These fields are optional.
31428
31429 @item circular
31430 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31431 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31432 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31433 and may fill up.
31434
31435 @item disconnected
31436 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31437 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31438 that the trace run will stop.
31439
31440 @end table
31441
31442 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31443
31444 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
31445
31446 @subheading -trace-stop
31447 @findex -trace-stop
31448
31449 @subsubheading Synopsis
31450
31451 @smallexample
31452 -trace-stop
31453 @end smallexample
31454
31455 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
31456 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
31457 @samp{running} fields are not output.
31458
31459 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31460
31461 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
31462
31463
31464 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31465 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
31466 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
31467
31468
31469 @ignore
31470 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
31471 @findex -symbol-info-address
31472
31473 @subsubheading Synopsis
31474
31475 @smallexample
31476 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
31477 @end smallexample
31478
31479 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
31480
31481 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31482
31483 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
31484
31485 @subsubheading Example
31486 N.A.
31487
31488
31489 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
31490 @findex -symbol-info-file
31491
31492 @subsubheading Synopsis
31493
31494 @smallexample
31495 -symbol-info-file
31496 @end smallexample
31497
31498 Show the file for the symbol.
31499
31500 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31501
31502 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
31503 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
31504
31505 @subsubheading Example
31506 N.A.
31507
31508
31509 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
31510 @findex -symbol-info-function
31511
31512 @subsubheading Synopsis
31513
31514 @smallexample
31515 -symbol-info-function
31516 @end smallexample
31517
31518 Show which function the symbol lives in.
31519
31520 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31521
31522 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
31523
31524 @subsubheading Example
31525 N.A.
31526
31527
31528 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
31529 @findex -symbol-info-line
31530
31531 @subsubheading Synopsis
31532
31533 @smallexample
31534 -symbol-info-line
31535 @end smallexample
31536
31537 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
31538
31539 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31540
31541 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
31542 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
31543
31544 @subsubheading Example
31545 N.A.
31546
31547
31548 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
31549 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
31550
31551 @subsubheading Synopsis
31552
31553 @smallexample
31554 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
31555 @end smallexample
31556
31557 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
31558
31559 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31560
31561 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
31562
31563 @subsubheading Example
31564 N.A.
31565
31566
31567 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
31568 @findex -symbol-list-functions
31569
31570 @subsubheading Synopsis
31571
31572 @smallexample
31573 -symbol-list-functions
31574 @end smallexample
31575
31576 List the functions in the executable.
31577
31578 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31579
31580 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
31581 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31582
31583 @subsubheading Example
31584 N.A.
31585 @end ignore
31586
31587
31588 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
31589 @findex -symbol-list-lines
31590
31591 @subsubheading Synopsis
31592
31593 @smallexample
31594 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
31595 @end smallexample
31596
31597 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
31598 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
31599 ascending PC order.
31600
31601 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31602
31603 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31604
31605 @subsubheading Example
31606 @smallexample
31607 (gdb)
31608 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
31609 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
31610 (gdb)
31611 @end smallexample
31612
31613
31614 @ignore
31615 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
31616 @findex -symbol-list-types
31617
31618 @subsubheading Synopsis
31619
31620 @smallexample
31621 -symbol-list-types
31622 @end smallexample
31623
31624 List all the type names.
31625
31626 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31627
31628 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
31629 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31630
31631 @subsubheading Example
31632 N.A.
31633
31634
31635 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
31636 @findex -symbol-list-variables
31637
31638 @subsubheading Synopsis
31639
31640 @smallexample
31641 -symbol-list-variables
31642 @end smallexample
31643
31644 List all the global and static variable names.
31645
31646 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31647
31648 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31649
31650 @subsubheading Example
31651 N.A.
31652
31653
31654 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
31655 @findex -symbol-locate
31656
31657 @subsubheading Synopsis
31658
31659 @smallexample
31660 -symbol-locate
31661 @end smallexample
31662
31663 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31664
31665 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
31666
31667 @subsubheading Example
31668 N.A.
31669
31670
31671 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
31672 @findex -symbol-type
31673
31674 @subsubheading Synopsis
31675
31676 @smallexample
31677 -symbol-type @var{variable}
31678 @end smallexample
31679
31680 Show type of @var{variable}.
31681
31682 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31683
31684 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
31685 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
31686
31687 @subsubheading Example
31688 N.A.
31689 @end ignore
31690
31691
31692 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31693 @node GDB/MI File Commands
31694 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
31695
31696 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
31697 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
31698
31699 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
31700 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
31701
31702 @subsubheading Synopsis
31703
31704 @smallexample
31705 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
31706 @end smallexample
31707
31708 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
31709 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
31710 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
31711 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
31712 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
31713 notification.
31714
31715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31716
31717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
31718
31719 @subsubheading Example
31720
31721 @smallexample
31722 (gdb)
31723 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31724 ^done
31725 (gdb)
31726 @end smallexample
31727
31728
31729 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
31730 @findex -file-exec-file
31731
31732 @subsubheading Synopsis
31733
31734 @smallexample
31735 -file-exec-file @var{file}
31736 @end smallexample
31737
31738 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
31739 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
31740 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
31741 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
31742 notification.
31743
31744 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31745
31746 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
31747
31748 @subsubheading Example
31749
31750 @smallexample
31751 (gdb)
31752 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31753 ^done
31754 (gdb)
31755 @end smallexample
31756
31757
31758 @ignore
31759 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
31760 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
31761
31762 @subsubheading Synopsis
31763
31764 @smallexample
31765 -file-list-exec-sections
31766 @end smallexample
31767
31768 List the sections of the current executable file.
31769
31770 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31771
31772 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
31773 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
31774 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
31775
31776 @subsubheading Example
31777 N.A.
31778 @end ignore
31779
31780
31781 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
31782 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
31783
31784 @subsubheading Synopsis
31785
31786 @smallexample
31787 -file-list-exec-source-file
31788 @end smallexample
31789
31790 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
31791 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
31792 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
31793 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
31794
31795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31796
31797 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
31798
31799 @subsubheading Example
31800
31801 @smallexample
31802 (gdb)
31803 123-file-list-exec-source-file
31804 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
31805 (gdb)
31806 @end smallexample
31807
31808
31809 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
31810 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
31811
31812 @subsubheading Synopsis
31813
31814 @smallexample
31815 -file-list-exec-source-files
31816 @end smallexample
31817
31818 List the source files for the current executable.
31819
31820 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
31821 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
31822
31823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31824
31825 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
31826 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
31827
31828 @subsubheading Example
31829 @smallexample
31830 (gdb)
31831 -file-list-exec-source-files
31832 ^done,files=[
31833 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
31834 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
31835 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
31836 (gdb)
31837 @end smallexample
31838
31839 @ignore
31840 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
31841 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
31842
31843 @subsubheading Synopsis
31844
31845 @smallexample
31846 -file-list-shared-libraries
31847 @end smallexample
31848
31849 List the shared libraries in the program.
31850
31851 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31852
31853 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
31854
31855 @subsubheading Example
31856 N.A.
31857
31858
31859 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
31860 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
31861
31862 @subsubheading Synopsis
31863
31864 @smallexample
31865 -file-list-symbol-files
31866 @end smallexample
31867
31868 List symbol files.
31869
31870 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31871
31872 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
31873
31874 @subsubheading Example
31875 N.A.
31876 @end ignore
31877
31878
31879 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
31880 @findex -file-symbol-file
31881
31882 @subsubheading Synopsis
31883
31884 @smallexample
31885 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
31886 @end smallexample
31887
31888 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
31889 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
31890 produced, except for a completion notification.
31891
31892 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31893
31894 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
31895
31896 @subsubheading Example
31897
31898 @smallexample
31899 (gdb)
31900 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31901 ^done
31902 (gdb)
31903 @end smallexample
31904
31905 @ignore
31906 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31907 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31908 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31909
31910 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31911
31912 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31913
31914 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31915
31916 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31917
31918 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31919
31920 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31921
31922 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31923
31924 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31925
31926 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31927 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31928 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31929
31930 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31931
31932 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31933
31934 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31935
31936 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31937 @end ignore
31938
31939
31940 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31941 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31942 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31943
31944
31945 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31946 @findex -target-attach
31947
31948 @subsubheading Synopsis
31949
31950 @smallexample
31951 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31952 @end smallexample
31953
31954 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31955 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31956 group, the id previously returned by
31957 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31958
31959 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31960
31961 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31962
31963 @subsubheading Example
31964 @smallexample
31965 (gdb)
31966 -target-attach 34
31967 =thread-created,id="1"
31968 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31969 ^done
31970 (gdb)
31971 @end smallexample
31972
31973 @ignore
31974 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31975 @findex -target-compare-sections
31976
31977 @subsubheading Synopsis
31978
31979 @smallexample
31980 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
31981 @end smallexample
31982
31983 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
31984 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
31985
31986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31987
31988 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
31989
31990 @subsubheading Example
31991 N.A.
31992 @end ignore
31993
31994
31995 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
31996 @findex -target-detach
31997
31998 @subsubheading Synopsis
31999
32000 @smallexample
32001 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32002 @end smallexample
32003
32004 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32005 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32006 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32007
32008 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32009
32010 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32011
32012 @subsubheading Example
32013
32014 @smallexample
32015 (gdb)
32016 -target-detach
32017 ^done
32018 (gdb)
32019 @end smallexample
32020
32021
32022 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32023 @findex -target-disconnect
32024
32025 @subsubheading Synopsis
32026
32027 @smallexample
32028 -target-disconnect
32029 @end smallexample
32030
32031 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32032 generally not resumed.
32033
32034 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32035
32036 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32037
32038 @subsubheading Example
32039
32040 @smallexample
32041 (gdb)
32042 -target-disconnect
32043 ^done
32044 (gdb)
32045 @end smallexample
32046
32047
32048 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32049 @findex -target-download
32050
32051 @subsubheading Synopsis
32052
32053 @smallexample
32054 -target-download
32055 @end smallexample
32056
32057 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32058 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32059
32060 @table @samp
32061 @item section
32062 The name of the section.
32063 @item section-sent
32064 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32065 @item section-size
32066 The size of the section.
32067 @item total-sent
32068 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32069 @item total-size
32070 The size of the overall executable to download.
32071 @end table
32072
32073 @noindent
32074 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32075 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32076
32077 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32078 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32079
32080 @table @samp
32081 @item section
32082 The name of the section.
32083 @item section-size
32084 The size of the section.
32085 @item total-size
32086 The size of the overall executable to download.
32087 @end table
32088
32089 @noindent
32090 At the end, a summary is printed.
32091
32092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32093
32094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32095
32096 @subsubheading Example
32097
32098 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32099 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32100
32101 @smallexample
32102 (gdb)
32103 -target-download
32104 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32105 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32106 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32107 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32108 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32109 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32110 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32111 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32112 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32113 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32114 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32115 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32116 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32117 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32118 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32119 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32120 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32121 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32122 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32123 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32124 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32125 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32126 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32127 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32128 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32129 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32130 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32131 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32132 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32133 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32134 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32135 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32136 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32137 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32138 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32139 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32140 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32141 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32142 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32143 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32144 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32145 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32146 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32147 write-rate="429"
32148 (gdb)
32149 @end smallexample
32150
32151
32152 @ignore
32153 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32154 @findex -target-exec-status
32155
32156 @subsubheading Synopsis
32157
32158 @smallexample
32159 -target-exec-status
32160 @end smallexample
32161
32162 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32163 not, for instance).
32164
32165 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32166
32167 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32168
32169 @subsubheading Example
32170 N.A.
32171
32172
32173 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32174 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32175
32176 @subsubheading Synopsis
32177
32178 @smallexample
32179 -target-list-available-targets
32180 @end smallexample
32181
32182 List the possible targets to connect to.
32183
32184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32185
32186 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32187
32188 @subsubheading Example
32189 N.A.
32190
32191
32192 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32193 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32194
32195 @subsubheading Synopsis
32196
32197 @smallexample
32198 -target-list-current-targets
32199 @end smallexample
32200
32201 Describe the current target.
32202
32203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32204
32205 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32206 other things).
32207
32208 @subsubheading Example
32209 N.A.
32210
32211
32212 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32213 @findex -target-list-parameters
32214
32215 @subsubheading Synopsis
32216
32217 @smallexample
32218 -target-list-parameters
32219 @end smallexample
32220
32221 @c ????
32222 @end ignore
32223
32224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32225
32226 No equivalent.
32227
32228 @subsubheading Example
32229 N.A.
32230
32231
32232 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32233 @findex -target-select
32234
32235 @subsubheading Synopsis
32236
32237 @smallexample
32238 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32239 @end smallexample
32240
32241 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32242
32243 @table @samp
32244 @item @var{type}
32245 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32246 @item @var{parameters}
32247 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32248 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32249 @end table
32250
32251 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32252 which the target program is, in the following form:
32253
32254 @smallexample
32255 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32256 args=[@var{arg list}]
32257 @end smallexample
32258
32259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32260
32261 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32262
32263 @subsubheading Example
32264
32265 @smallexample
32266 (gdb)
32267 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32268 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32269 (gdb)
32270 @end smallexample
32271
32272 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32273 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32274 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32275
32276
32277 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32278 @findex -target-file-put
32279
32280 @subsubheading Synopsis
32281
32282 @smallexample
32283 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32284 @end smallexample
32285
32286 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32287 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32288
32289 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32290
32291 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32292
32293 @subsubheading Example
32294
32295 @smallexample
32296 (gdb)
32297 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32298 ^done
32299 (gdb)
32300 @end smallexample
32301
32302
32303 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32304 @findex -target-file-get
32305
32306 @subsubheading Synopsis
32307
32308 @smallexample
32309 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32310 @end smallexample
32311
32312 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32313 on the host system.
32314
32315 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32316
32317 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32318
32319 @subsubheading Example
32320
32321 @smallexample
32322 (gdb)
32323 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32324 ^done
32325 (gdb)
32326 @end smallexample
32327
32328
32329 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32330 @findex -target-file-delete
32331
32332 @subsubheading Synopsis
32333
32334 @smallexample
32335 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32336 @end smallexample
32337
32338 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32339
32340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32341
32342 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32343
32344 @subsubheading Example
32345
32346 @smallexample
32347 (gdb)
32348 -target-file-delete remotefile
32349 ^done
32350 (gdb)
32351 @end smallexample
32352
32353
32354 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32355 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
32356 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32357
32358 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
32359
32360 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
32361 @findex -gdb-exit
32362
32363 @subsubheading Synopsis
32364
32365 @smallexample
32366 -gdb-exit
32367 @end smallexample
32368
32369 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
32370
32371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32372
32373 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
32374
32375 @subsubheading Example
32376
32377 @smallexample
32378 (gdb)
32379 -gdb-exit
32380 ^exit
32381 @end smallexample
32382
32383
32384 @ignore
32385 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
32386 @findex -exec-abort
32387
32388 @subsubheading Synopsis
32389
32390 @smallexample
32391 -exec-abort
32392 @end smallexample
32393
32394 Kill the inferior running program.
32395
32396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32397
32398 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
32399
32400 @subsubheading Example
32401 N.A.
32402 @end ignore
32403
32404
32405 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
32406 @findex -gdb-set
32407
32408 @subsubheading Synopsis
32409
32410 @smallexample
32411 -gdb-set
32412 @end smallexample
32413
32414 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
32415 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
32416
32417 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32418
32419 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
32420
32421 @subsubheading Example
32422
32423 @smallexample
32424 (gdb)
32425 -gdb-set $foo=3
32426 ^done
32427 (gdb)
32428 @end smallexample
32429
32430
32431 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
32432 @findex -gdb-show
32433
32434 @subsubheading Synopsis
32435
32436 @smallexample
32437 -gdb-show
32438 @end smallexample
32439
32440 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
32441
32442 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32443
32444 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
32445
32446 @subsubheading Example
32447
32448 @smallexample
32449 (gdb)
32450 -gdb-show annotate
32451 ^done,value="0"
32452 (gdb)
32453 @end smallexample
32454
32455 @c @subheading -gdb-source
32456
32457
32458 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
32459 @findex -gdb-version
32460
32461 @subsubheading Synopsis
32462
32463 @smallexample
32464 -gdb-version
32465 @end smallexample
32466
32467 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
32468
32469 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32470
32471 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
32472 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
32473
32474 @subsubheading Example
32475
32476 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
32477 @c box in TeX.
32478 @smallexample
32479 (gdb)
32480 -gdb-version
32481 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
32482 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32483 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
32484 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
32485 ~ certain conditions.
32486 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32487 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
32488 ~ details.
32489 ~This GDB was configured as
32490 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
32491 ^done
32492 (gdb)
32493 @end smallexample
32494
32495 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
32496 @findex -list-features
32497
32498 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
32499 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
32500 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
32501 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
32502 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
32503 startup.
32504
32505 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
32506 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
32507 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
32508 is given below.
32509
32510 Example output:
32511
32512 @smallexample
32513 (gdb) -list-features
32514 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
32515 @end smallexample
32516
32517 The current list of features is:
32518
32519 @table @samp
32520 @item frozen-varobjs
32521 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
32522 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
32523 of @code{-varobj-create}.
32524 @item pending-breakpoints
32525 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
32526 command.
32527 @item python
32528 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
32529 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
32530 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
32531 @item thread-info
32532 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
32533 @item data-read-memory-bytes
32534 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
32535 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
32536 @item breakpoint-notifications
32537 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
32538 CLI will be announced via async records.
32539 @item ada-task-info
32540 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
32541 @end table
32542
32543 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
32544 @findex -list-target-features
32545
32546 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
32547 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
32548 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
32549 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
32550 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
32551 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
32552 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
32553 Example output:
32554
32555 @smallexample
32556 (gdb) -list-features
32557 ^done,result=["async"]
32558 @end smallexample
32559
32560 The current list of features is:
32561
32562 @table @samp
32563 @item async
32564 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
32565 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
32566 while the target is running.
32567
32568 @item reverse
32569 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
32570 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32571
32572 @end table
32573
32574 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
32575 @findex -list-thread-groups
32576
32577 @subheading Synopsis
32578
32579 @smallexample
32580 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
32581 @end smallexample
32582
32583 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
32584 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
32585 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
32586 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
32587 top-level thread groups.
32588
32589 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
32590 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
32591 available on the target.
32592
32593 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
32594 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
32595 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
32596 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
32597 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
32598 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
32599 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
32600 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
32601
32602 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
32603 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
32604 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
32605 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
32606 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
32607 @samp{threads} field.
32608
32609 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
32610 the following caveats:
32611
32612 @itemize @bullet
32613 @item
32614 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
32615 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
32616 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
32617
32618 @item
32619 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
32620 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
32621 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
32622 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
32623 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
32624 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
32625
32626 @end itemize
32627
32628 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
32629 have the following fields:
32630
32631 @table @code
32632 @item id
32633 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
32634 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
32635 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
32636
32637 @item type
32638 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
32639 valid type.
32640
32641 @item pid
32642 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
32643 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
32644
32645 @item num_children
32646 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
32647 absent for an available thread group.
32648
32649 @item threads
32650 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
32651 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
32652 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
32653
32654 @item cores
32655 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
32656 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
32657 such information is not available.
32658
32659 @item executable
32660 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
32661 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
32662 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
32663
32664 @end table
32665
32666 @subheading Example
32667
32668 @smallexample
32669 @value{GDBP}
32670 -list-thread-groups
32671 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
32672 -list-thread-groups 17
32673 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
32674 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
32675 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
32676 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
32677 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
32678 -list-thread-groups --available
32679 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
32680 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
32681 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32682 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32683 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
32684 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
32685 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32686 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32687 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
32688 @end smallexample
32689
32690 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
32691 @findex -info-os
32692
32693 @subsubheading Synopsis
32694
32695 @smallexample
32696 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
32697 @end smallexample
32698
32699 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
32700 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
32701 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
32702 of data of that type.
32703
32704 The types of information available depend on the target operating
32705 system.
32706
32707 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32708
32709 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
32710
32711 @subsubheading Example
32712
32713 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
32714 like this:
32715
32716 @smallexample
32717 @value{GDBP}
32718 -info-os
32719 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
32720 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
32721 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
32722 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
32723 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
32724 col2="Processes"@},
32725 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
32726 col2="Process groups"@},
32727 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
32728 col2="Threads"@},
32729 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
32730 col2="File descriptors"@},
32731 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
32732 col2="Sockets"@},
32733 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
32734 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
32735 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
32736 col2="Semaphores"@},
32737 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
32738 col2="Message queues"@},
32739 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
32740 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
32741 @value{GDBP}
32742 -info-os processes
32743 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
32744 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
32745 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
32746 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
32747 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
32748 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
32749 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
32750 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
32751 ...
32752 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
32753 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
32754 (gdb)
32755 @end smallexample
32756
32757 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
32758 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
32759 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
32760 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
32761 @code{info os} omits it.)
32762
32763 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
32764 @findex -add-inferior
32765
32766 @subheading Synopsis
32767
32768 @smallexample
32769 -add-inferior
32770 @end smallexample
32771
32772 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32773 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32774 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32775 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32776 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
32777 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32778
32779 @subheading Example
32780
32781 @smallexample
32782 @value{GDBP}
32783 -add-inferior
32784 ^done,thread-group="i3"
32785 @end smallexample
32786
32787 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32788 @findex -interpreter-exec
32789
32790 @subheading Synopsis
32791
32792 @smallexample
32793 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32794 @end smallexample
32795 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32796
32797 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32798
32799 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32800
32801 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32802
32803 @subheading Example
32804
32805 @smallexample
32806 (gdb)
32807 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32808 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32809 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32810 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32811 ^done
32812 (gdb)
32813 @end smallexample
32814
32815 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32816 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32817
32818 @subheading Synopsis
32819
32820 @smallexample
32821 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32822 @end smallexample
32823
32824 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32825
32826 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32827
32828 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32829
32830 @subheading Example
32831
32832 @smallexample
32833 (gdb)
32834 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32835 ^done
32836 (gdb)
32837 @end smallexample
32838
32839 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32840 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32841
32842 @subheading Synopsis
32843
32844 @smallexample
32845 -inferior-tty-show
32846 @end smallexample
32847
32848 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32849
32850 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32851
32852 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32853
32854 @subheading Example
32855
32856 @smallexample
32857 (gdb)
32858 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32859 ^done
32860 (gdb)
32861 -inferior-tty-show
32862 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32863 (gdb)
32864 @end smallexample
32865
32866 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32867 @findex -enable-timings
32868
32869 @subheading Synopsis
32870
32871 @smallexample
32872 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32873 @end smallexample
32874
32875 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32876 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32877 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32878 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32879
32880 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32881
32882 No equivalent.
32883
32884 @subheading Example
32885
32886 @smallexample
32887 (gdb)
32888 -enable-timings
32889 ^done
32890 (gdb)
32891 -break-insert main
32892 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32893 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32894 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
32895 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32896 (gdb)
32897 -enable-timings no
32898 ^done
32899 (gdb)
32900 -exec-run
32901 ^running
32902 (gdb)
32903 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32904 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32905 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32906 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32907 (gdb)
32908 @end smallexample
32909
32910 @node Annotations
32911 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32912
32913 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32914 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32915 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32916 relatively high level.
32917
32918 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32919 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
32920
32921 @ignore
32922 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32923 @end ignore
32924
32925 @menu
32926 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32927 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32928 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32929 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32930 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32931 * Annotations for Running::
32932 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32933 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32934 @end menu
32935
32936 @node Annotations Overview
32937 @section What is an Annotation?
32938 @cindex annotations
32939
32940 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32941 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32942 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32943 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32944 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32945 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32946 cannot contain newline characters.
32947
32948 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32949 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32950 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32951 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32952 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32953 means those three characters as output.
32954
32955 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32956 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32957 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32958 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32959 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32960 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32961 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32962 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32963 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32964
32965 @table @code
32966 @kindex set annotate
32967 @item set annotate @var{level}
32968 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32969 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32970
32971 @item show annotate
32972 @kindex show annotate
32973 Show the current annotation level.
32974 @end table
32975
32976 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32977
32978 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
32979
32980 @smallexample
32981 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
32982 GNU gdb 6.0
32983 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32984 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
32985 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
32986 under certain conditions.
32987 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32988 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
32989 for details.
32990 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
32991
32992 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
32993 (@value{GDBP})
32994 ^Z^Zprompt
32995 @kbd{quit}
32996
32997 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
32998 $
32999 @end smallexample
33000
33001 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33002 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33003 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33004 output from @value{GDBN}.
33005
33006 @node Server Prefix
33007 @section The Server Prefix
33008 @cindex server prefix
33009
33010 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33011 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33012 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33013 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33014 a transparent manner.
33015
33016 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33017 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33018 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33019 @code{print} command.
33020
33021 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33022 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33023
33024 @node Prompting
33025 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33026
33027 @cindex annotations for prompts
33028 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33029 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33030 over, etc.
33031
33032 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33033 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33034 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33035 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33036 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33037 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33038 features the following annotations:
33039
33040 @smallexample
33041 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33042 ^Z^Zprompt
33043 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33044 @end smallexample
33045
33046 The input types are
33047
33048 @table @code
33049 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33050 @findex prompt annotation
33051 @findex post-prompt annotation
33052 @item prompt
33053 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33054
33055 @findex pre-commands annotation
33056 @findex commands annotation
33057 @findex post-commands annotation
33058 @item commands
33059 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33060 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33061
33062 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33063 @findex overload-choice annotation
33064 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33065 @item overload-choice
33066 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33067
33068 @findex pre-query annotation
33069 @findex query annotation
33070 @findex post-query annotation
33071 @item query
33072 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33073
33074 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33075 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33076 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33077 @item prompt-for-continue
33078 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33079 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33080 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33081 presence of annotations.
33082 @end table
33083
33084 @node Errors
33085 @section Errors
33086 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33087
33088 @findex quit annotation
33089 @smallexample
33090 ^Z^Zquit
33091 @end smallexample
33092
33093 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33094
33095 @findex error annotation
33096 @smallexample
33097 ^Z^Zerror
33098 @end smallexample
33099
33100 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33101
33102 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33103 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33104 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33105 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33106 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33107 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33108 to the top level.
33109
33110 @findex error-begin annotation
33111 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33112
33113 @smallexample
33114 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33115 @end smallexample
33116
33117 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33118 message.
33119
33120 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33121 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33122 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33123
33124 @node Invalidation
33125 @section Invalidation Notices
33126
33127 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33128 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33129 changed.
33130
33131 @table @code
33132 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33133 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33134
33135 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33136 have changed.
33137
33138 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33139 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33140
33141 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33142 deleted a breakpoint.
33143 @end table
33144
33145 @node Annotations for Running
33146 @section Running the Program
33147 @cindex annotations for running programs
33148
33149 @findex starting annotation
33150 @findex stopping annotation
33151 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33152 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33153
33154 @smallexample
33155 ^Z^Zstarting
33156 @end smallexample
33157
33158 is output. When the program stops,
33159
33160 @smallexample
33161 ^Z^Zstopped
33162 @end smallexample
33163
33164 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33165 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33166
33167 @table @code
33168 @findex exited annotation
33169 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33170 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33171 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33172
33173 @findex signalled annotation
33174 @findex signal-name annotation
33175 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33176 @findex signal-string annotation
33177 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33178 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33179 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33180 annotation continues:
33181
33182 @smallexample
33183 @var{intro-text}
33184 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33185 @var{name}
33186 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33187 @var{middle-text}
33188 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33189 @var{string}
33190 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33191 @var{end-text}
33192 @end smallexample
33193
33194 @noindent
33195 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33196 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33197 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
33198 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33199 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33200
33201 @findex signal annotation
33202 @item ^Z^Zsignal
33203 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33204 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33205 terminated with it.
33206
33207 @findex breakpoint annotation
33208 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33209 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33210
33211 @findex watchpoint annotation
33212 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33213 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33214 @end table
33215
33216 @node Source Annotations
33217 @section Displaying Source
33218 @cindex annotations for source display
33219
33220 @findex source annotation
33221 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33222
33223 @smallexample
33224 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33225 @end smallexample
33226
33227 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33228 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33229 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33230 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33231 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33232 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33233 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33234 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33235 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33236 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33237 depend on the language).
33238
33239 @node JIT Interface
33240 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33241 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33242 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33243
33244 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33245 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33246 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33247 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33248
33249 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33250 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33251 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33252 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33253 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33254 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33255
33256 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33257 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33258 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33259 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33260 LLVM JIT.
33261
33262 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33263 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33264 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33265 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33266 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33267 out about additional code.
33268
33269 @menu
33270 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33271 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33272 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33273 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33274 @end menu
33275
33276 @node Declarations
33277 @section JIT Declarations
33278
33279 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33280 implement the interface:
33281
33282 @smallexample
33283 typedef enum
33284 @{
33285 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
33286 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
33287 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
33288 @} jit_actions_t;
33289
33290 struct jit_code_entry
33291 @{
33292 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
33293 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
33294 const char *symfile_addr;
33295 uint64_t symfile_size;
33296 @};
33297
33298 struct jit_descriptor
33299 @{
33300 uint32_t version;
33301 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
33302 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
33303 uint32_t action_flag;
33304 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
33305 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
33306 @};
33307
33308 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
33309 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
33310
33311 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
33312 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
33313 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
33314 @end smallexample
33315
33316 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
33317 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
33318 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
33319
33320 @node Registering Code
33321 @section Registering Code
33322
33323 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
33324
33325 @itemize @bullet
33326 @item
33327 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
33328 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
33329
33330 @item
33331 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
33332 file.
33333
33334 @item
33335 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
33336
33337 @item
33338 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
33339
33340 @item
33341 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
33342 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33343 @end itemize
33344
33345 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
33346 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
33347 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
33348 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
33349
33350 @node Unregistering Code
33351 @section Unregistering Code
33352
33353 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
33354
33355 @itemize @bullet
33356 @item
33357 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
33358
33359 @item
33360 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
33361
33362 @item
33363 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
33364 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33365 @end itemize
33366
33367 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
33368 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
33369
33370 @node Custom Debug Info
33371 @section Custom Debug Info
33372 @cindex custom JIT debug info
33373 @cindex JIT debug info reader
33374
33375 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
33376 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
33377 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
33378 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
33379 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
33380 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
33381 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
33382 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
33383 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
33384
33385 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
33386 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
33387 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
33388 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
33389 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
33390 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
33391 compiler.
33392
33393 @menu
33394 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
33395 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
33396 @end menu
33397
33398 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33399 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33400 @kindex jit-reader-load
33401 @kindex jit-reader-unload
33402
33403 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
33404 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
33405
33406 @table @code
33407 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader-name}
33408 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader-name}. On a UNIX system, this
33409 will usually load @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/@var{reader-name}}, where
33410 @var{libdir} is the system library directory, usually
33411 @file{/usr/local/lib}. Only one reader can be active at a time;
33412 trying to load a second reader when one is already loaded will result
33413 in @value{GDBN} reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by
33414 first unloading the current one using @code{jit-reader-load} and then
33415 invoking @code{jit-reader-load}.
33416
33417 @item jit-reader-unload
33418 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
33419
33420 @end table
33421
33422 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33423 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33424 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
33425
33426 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
33427 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
33428
33429 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
33430 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
33431 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
33432 the system include directory.
33433
33434 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
33435 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
33436 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
33437
33438 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
33439 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
33440
33441 @findex gdb_init_reader
33442 @smallexample
33443 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
33444 @end smallexample
33445
33446 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
33447
33448 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
33449 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
33450 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
33451 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
33452 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
33453 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
33454
33455 @smallexample
33456 struct gdb_reader_funcs
33457 @{
33458 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
33459 int reader_version;
33460
33461 /* For use by the reader. */
33462 void *priv_data;
33463
33464 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
33465 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
33466 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
33467 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
33468 @};
33469 @end smallexample
33470
33471 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
33472 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
33473
33474 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
33475 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
33476 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
33477 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
33478 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
33479 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
33480 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
33481 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
33482 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
33483 target's address space.
33484
33485 @node In-Process Agent
33486 @chapter In-Process Agent
33487 @cindex debugging agent
33488 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
33489 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
33490 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
33491 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
33492 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
33493 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
33494 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
33495 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
33496 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
33497 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
33498 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
33499 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
33500 behavior without interrupting it.
33501
33502 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
33503 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
33504 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
33505 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
33506 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
33507 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
33508 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
33509 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
33510 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
33511
33512 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
33513 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
33514 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
33515 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
33516
33517 @anchor{Control Agent}
33518 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
33519 debugging with the following commands:
33520
33521 @table @code
33522 @kindex set agent on
33523 @item set agent on
33524 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
33525 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
33526 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
33527 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
33528 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
33529 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
33530
33531 @kindex set agent off
33532 @item set agent off
33533 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
33534 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
33535
33536 @kindex show agent
33537 @item show agent
33538 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
33539 the in-process agent.
33540 @end table
33541
33542 @menu
33543 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
33544 @end menu
33545
33546 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
33547 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
33548 @cindex in-process agent protocol
33549
33550 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
33551 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
33552 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
33553 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
33554 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
33555 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
33556 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
33557 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
33558 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
33559
33560 @menu
33561 * IPA Protocol Objects::
33562 * IPA Protocol Commands::
33563 @end menu
33564
33565 @node IPA Protocol Objects
33566 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
33567 @cindex ipa protocol objects
33568
33569 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
33570 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
33571
33572 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
33573 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
33574 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
33575 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
33576
33577 @enumerate
33578 @item
33579 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
33580 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
33581 @item
33582 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
33583 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
33584 the other one.
33585 @end enumerate
33586
33587 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
33588
33589 @enumerate
33590 @item
33591 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
33592 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
33593 @anchor{agent expression object}
33594 @item
33595 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
33596 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
33597 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
33598 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
33599 @item
33600 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33601 @anchor{tracepoint object}
33602
33603 @end enumerate
33604
33605 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
33606 object:
33607
33608 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
33609 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
33610 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
33611 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
33612 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
33613 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
33614 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33615 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
33616 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
33617 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
33618 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
33619 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
33620 memory address for collecting.
33621 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
33622 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33623 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
33624 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33625 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
33626 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33627 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
33628 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
33629 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
33630 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
33631 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
33632 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
33633 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
33634 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
33635 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
33636 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
33637 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
33638 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
33639 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
33640 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
33641 @ref{agent expression object}
33642 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
33643 @ref{agent expression object}
33644 @item actions @tab variable
33645 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
33646 @end multitable
33647
33648 @node IPA Protocol Commands
33649 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
33650 @cindex ipa protocol commands
33651
33652 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
33653 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
33654
33655 @table @samp
33656
33657 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
33658 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
33659 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
33660 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
33661 in IPA finally.
33662
33663 Replies:
33664 @table @samp
33665 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
33666 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
33667 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
33668 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
33669 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
33670 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
33671 @item E @var{NN}
33672 for an error
33673
33674 @end table
33675
33676 @item qTfSTM
33677 @xref{qTfSTM}.
33678 @item qTsSTM
33679 @xref{qTsSTM}.
33680 @item qTSTMat
33681 @xref{qTSTMat}.
33682 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
33683 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
33684
33685 Replies:
33686 @table @samp
33687 @item E @var{NN}
33688 for an error
33689 @end table
33690 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
33691 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
33692 @end table
33693
33694 @node GDB Bugs
33695 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
33696 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
33697 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
33698
33699 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
33700
33701 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
33702 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
33703 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
33704 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
33705
33706 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
33707 information that enables us to fix the bug.
33708
33709 @menu
33710 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
33711 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
33712 @end menu
33713
33714 @node Bug Criteria
33715 @section Have You Found a Bug?
33716 @cindex bug criteria
33717
33718 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
33719
33720 @itemize @bullet
33721 @cindex fatal signal
33722 @cindex debugger crash
33723 @cindex crash of debugger
33724 @item
33725 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
33726 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
33727
33728 @cindex error on valid input
33729 @item
33730 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
33731 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
33732 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
33733
33734 @cindex invalid input
33735 @item
33736 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
33737 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
33738 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
33739 for traditional practice''.
33740
33741 @item
33742 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
33743 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
33744 @end itemize
33745
33746 @node Bug Reporting
33747 @section How to Report Bugs
33748 @cindex bug reports
33749 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
33750
33751 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
33752 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
33753 contact that organization first.
33754
33755 You can find contact information for many support companies and
33756 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
33757 distribution.
33758 @c should add a web page ref...
33759
33760 @ifset BUGURL
33761 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
33762 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33763 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33764 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33765 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33766 be used.
33767
33768 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33769 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33770 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33771 @samp{bug-gdb}.
33772
33773 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33774 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33775 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33776 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33777 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33778 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33779 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33780 bug reports to the mailing list.
33781 @end ifset
33782 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33783 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33784 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33785 @end ifclear
33786 @end ifset
33787
33788 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33789 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33790 fact or leave it out, state it!
33791
33792 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33793 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33794 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33795 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33796 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33797 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33798 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33799 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33800 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33801
33802 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33803 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33804 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33805 self-contained.
33806
33807 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33808 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33809 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33810 bugs properly.
33811
33812 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33813
33814 @itemize @bullet
33815 @item
33816 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33817 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33818 version}.
33819
33820 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33821 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33822
33823 @item
33824 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33825 version number.
33826
33827 @item
33828 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33829 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33830
33831 @item
33832 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33833 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33834 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33835 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33836 those compilers.
33837
33838 @item
33839 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33840 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33841 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33842 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33843
33844 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33845 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33846
33847 @item
33848 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33849 reproduce the bug.
33850
33851 @item
33852 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33853 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33854
33855 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33856 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33857 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33858 a chance to make a mistake.
33859
33860 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33861 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33862 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33863 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33864 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33865 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33866 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33867 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33868
33869 @pindex script
33870 @cindex recording a session script
33871 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33872 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33873 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33874 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33875
33876 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33877 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33878
33879 @item
33880 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33881 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33882 it by context, not by line number.
33883
33884 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33885 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33886
33887 @end itemize
33888
33889 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33890
33891 @itemize @bullet
33892 @item
33893 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33894
33895 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33896 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33897 changes will not affect it.
33898
33899 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33900 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33901 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33902 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33903
33904 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33905 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33906 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33907 less time, and so on.
33908
33909 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33910 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33911
33912 @item
33913 A patch for the bug.
33914
33915 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33916 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33917 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33918 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33919
33920 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33921 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33922 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33923 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33924
33925 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33926 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33927 help us to understand.
33928
33929 @item
33930 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33931
33932 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33933 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33934 @end itemize
33935
33936 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33937 @c and consists of the two following files:
33938 @c rluser.texi
33939 @c hsuser.texi
33940 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33941 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33942 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33943 @include rluser.texi
33944 @include hsuser.texi
33945 @end ifclear
33946
33947 @node In Memoriam
33948 @appendix In Memoriam
33949
33950 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33951 contributors:
33952
33953 @table @code
33954 @item Fred Fish
33955 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33956 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33957 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33958
33959 @item Michael Snyder
33960 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33961 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33962 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33963 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33964 @end table
33965
33966 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33967 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33968
33969 @node Formatting Documentation
33970 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33971
33972 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33973 @cindex reference card
33974 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
33975 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
33976 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
33977 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
33978 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
33979 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
33980
33981 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
33982 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
33983
33984 @smallexample
33985 make refcard.dvi
33986 @end smallexample
33987
33988 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
33989 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
33990 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
33991 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
33992 your @sc{dvi} output program.
33993
33994 @cindex documentation
33995
33996 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
33997 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
33998 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
33999 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34000 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34001 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34002
34003 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34004 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34005 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34006 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34007 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34008 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34009 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34010 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34011
34012 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34013 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34014 @code{makeinfo}.
34015
34016 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34017 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34018 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34019
34020 @smallexample
34021 cd gdb
34022 make gdb.info
34023 @end smallexample
34024
34025 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34026 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34027 Texinfo definitions file.
34028
34029 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34030 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34031 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34032 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34033 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34034 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34035 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34036
34037 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34038 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34039 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34040 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34041 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34042 directory.
34043
34044 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34045 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34046 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34047 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34048
34049 @smallexample
34050 make gdb.dvi
34051 @end smallexample
34052
34053 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34054
34055 @node Installing GDB
34056 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34057 @cindex installation
34058
34059 @menu
34060 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34061 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34062 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34063 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34064 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34065 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34066 @end menu
34067
34068 @node Requirements
34069 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34070 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34071
34072 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34073 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34074
34075 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34076 @table @asis
34077 @item ISO C90 compiler
34078 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34079 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34080
34081 @end table
34082
34083 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34084 @table @asis
34085 @item Expat
34086 @anchor{Expat}
34087 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34088 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34089 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34090 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34091 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34092 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34093
34094 Expat is used for:
34095
34096 @itemize @bullet
34097 @item
34098 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34099 @item
34100 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34101 @item
34102 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34103 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34104 @item
34105 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34106 @item
34107 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34108 @end itemize
34109
34110 @item zlib
34111 @cindex compressed debug sections
34112 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34113 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34114 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34115 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34116 information in such binaries.
34117
34118 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34119 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34120 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34121
34122 @item iconv
34123 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34124 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34125 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34126 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34127
34128 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34129 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34130 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34131 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34132
34133 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34134 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34135 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34136
34137 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34138 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34139 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34140 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34141 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34142 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34143 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34144 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34145 @end table
34146
34147 @node Running Configure
34148 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34149 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34150 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34151 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34152 build the @code{gdb} program.
34153 @iftex
34154 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34155 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34156 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34157 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34158 @end iftex
34159
34160 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34161 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34162 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34163
34164 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34165 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34166
34167 @table @code
34168 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34169 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34170
34171 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34172 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34173
34174 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34175 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34176
34177 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34178 @sc{gnu} include files
34179
34180 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34181 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34182
34183 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34184 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34185
34186 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34187 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34188
34189 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34190 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34191
34192 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34193 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34194 @end table
34195
34196 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34197 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34198 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34199
34200 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34201 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34202 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34203 argument.
34204
34205 For example:
34206
34207 @smallexample
34208 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34209 ./configure @var{host}
34210 make
34211 @end smallexample
34212
34213 @noindent
34214 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34215 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34216 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34217 correct value by examining your system.)
34218
34219 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34220 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34221 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34222 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34223
34224 @need 750
34225 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34226 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34227 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34228
34229 @smallexample
34230 sh configure @var{host}
34231 @end smallexample
34232
34233 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34234 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34235 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34236 @file{configure}
34237 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34238 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34239
34240 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34241 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34242 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34243 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34244 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34245 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34246 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34247 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34248 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34249
34250 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34251 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34252 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34253 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
34254 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
34255
34256 @node Separate Objdir
34257 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
34258
34259 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
34260 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
34261 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
34262 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
34263 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
34264 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
34265 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
34266 program specified there.
34267
34268 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
34269 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
34270 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
34271 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
34272 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
34273 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
34274
34275 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
34276 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
34277
34278 @smallexample
34279 @group
34280 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34281 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
34282 cd ../gdb-sun4
34283 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
34284 make
34285 @end group
34286 @end smallexample
34287
34288 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
34289 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
34290 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
34291 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
34292 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
34293 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
34294
34295 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
34296 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
34297 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
34298 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
34299 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34300
34301 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
34302 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
34303 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
34304 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
34305 You specify a cross-debugging target by
34306 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
34307
34308 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
34309 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
34310 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
34311
34312 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
34313 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
34314 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
34315 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
34316 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
34317
34318 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
34319 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
34320 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
34321 with each other.
34322
34323 @node Config Names
34324 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
34325
34326 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
34327 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
34328 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
34329 of information in the following pattern:
34330
34331 @smallexample
34332 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
34333 @end smallexample
34334
34335 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
34336 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
34337 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
34338
34339 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
34340 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
34341 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
34342 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
34343 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
34344 abbreviations---for example:
34345
34346 @smallexample
34347 % sh config.sub i386-linux
34348 i386-pc-linux-gnu
34349 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
34350 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
34351 % sh config.sub hp9k700
34352 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
34353 % sh config.sub sun4
34354 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
34355 % sh config.sub sun3
34356 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
34357 % sh config.sub i986v
34358 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
34359 @end smallexample
34360
34361 @noindent
34362 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
34363 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
34364
34365 @node Configure Options
34366 @section @file{configure} Options
34367
34368 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
34369 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
34370 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
34371 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
34372
34373 @smallexample
34374 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
34375 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34376 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34377 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
34378 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
34379 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
34380 @var{host}
34381 @end smallexample
34382
34383 @noindent
34384 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
34385 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
34386 @samp{--}.
34387
34388 @table @code
34389 @item --help
34390 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
34391
34392 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
34393 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
34394 @file{@var{dir}}.
34395
34396 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
34397 Configure the source to install programs under directory
34398 @file{@var{dir}}.
34399
34400 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
34401 @need 2000
34402 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
34403 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
34404 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
34405 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
34406 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
34407 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
34408 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
34409 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
34410 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
34411 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
34412 @var{dirname}.
34413
34414 @item --norecursion
34415 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
34416 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
34417
34418 @item --target=@var{target}
34419 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
34420 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
34421 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
34422
34423 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
34424
34425 @item @var{host} @dots{}
34426 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
34427
34428 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
34429 @end table
34430
34431 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
34432 needed for special purposes only.
34433
34434 @node System-wide configuration
34435 @section System-wide configuration and settings
34436 @cindex system-wide init file
34437
34438 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
34439 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
34440 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
34441
34442 Here is the corresponding configure option:
34443
34444 @table @code
34445 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
34446 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
34447 @var{file}.
34448 @end table
34449
34450 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
34451 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
34452
34453 @itemize @bullet
34454 @item
34455 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
34456 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
34457 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
34458 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
34459 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
34460 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
34461
34462 @item
34463 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
34464 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
34465 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34466 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34467 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
34468 @end itemize
34469
34470 @node Maintenance Commands
34471 @appendix Maintenance Commands
34472 @cindex maintenance commands
34473 @cindex internal commands
34474
34475 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
34476 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
34477 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
34478 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
34479 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
34480
34481 @table @code
34482 @kindex maint agent
34483 @kindex maint agent-eval
34484 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34485 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34486 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
34487 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
34488 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
34489 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
34490 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
34491 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
34492 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
34493 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
34494 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
34495 addition and return the sum.
34496 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
34497 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
34498
34499 @kindex maint agent-printf
34500 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
34501 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
34502 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
34503 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
34504 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}.
34505
34506 @kindex maint info breakpoints
34507 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
34508 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
34509 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
34510 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
34511 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
34512 is shown:
34513
34514 @table @code
34515 @item breakpoint
34516 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
34517
34518 @item watchpoint
34519 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
34520
34521 @item longjmp
34522 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
34523 @code{longjmp} calls.
34524
34525 @item longjmp resume
34526 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
34527
34528 @item until
34529 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
34530
34531 @item finish
34532 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
34533
34534 @item shlib events
34535 Shared library events.
34536
34537 @end table
34538
34539 @kindex maint info bfds
34540 @item maint info bfds
34541 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
34542 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
34543
34544 @kindex set displaced-stepping
34545 @kindex show displaced-stepping
34546 @cindex displaced stepping support
34547 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
34548 @item set displaced-stepping
34549 @itemx show displaced-stepping
34550 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
34551 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
34552 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
34553 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
34554 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
34555
34556 @table @code
34557 @item set displaced-stepping on
34558 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
34559 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
34560
34561 @item set displaced-stepping off
34562 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
34563 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
34564
34565 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
34566 @item set displaced-stepping auto
34567 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
34568 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
34569 architecture supports displaced stepping.
34570 @end table
34571
34572 @kindex maint check-symtabs
34573 @item maint check-symtabs
34574 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
34575
34576 @kindex maint cplus first_component
34577 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
34578 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
34579
34580 @kindex maint cplus namespace
34581 @item maint cplus namespace
34582 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
34583
34584 @kindex maint demangle
34585 @item maint demangle @var{name}
34586 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
34587
34588 @kindex maint deprecate
34589 @kindex maint undeprecate
34590 @cindex deprecated commands
34591 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
34592 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
34593 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
34594 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
34595 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
34596 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
34597 the replacement as part of the warning.
34598
34599 @kindex maint dump-me
34600 @item maint dump-me
34601 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
34602 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
34603 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
34604 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
34605
34606 @kindex maint internal-error
34607 @kindex maint internal-warning
34608 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34609 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34610 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
34611 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
34612 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
34613 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
34614 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
34615 @value{GDBN} session.
34616
34617 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
34618 used as the text of the error or warning message.
34619
34620 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
34621
34622 @smallexample
34623 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
34624 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
34625 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
34626 debugging may prove unreliable.
34627 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34628 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34629 (@value{GDBP})
34630 @end smallexample
34631
34632 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34633 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34634
34635 @kindex maint set internal-error
34636 @kindex maint show internal-error
34637 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34638 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34639 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34640 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34641 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34642 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34643 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34644 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34645 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34646 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34647 described in the table below.
34648
34649 @table @samp
34650 @item quit
34651 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34652 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34653
34654 @item corefile
34655 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34656 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34657 @end table
34658
34659 @kindex maint packet
34660 @item maint packet @var{text}
34661 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34662 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34663 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34664 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34665 checksum.
34666
34667 @kindex maint print architecture
34668 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34669 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34670 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34671
34672 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34673 @item maint print c-tdesc
34674 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34675 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34676 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34677
34678 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34679 @item maint print dummy-frames
34680 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34681
34682 @smallexample
34683 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34684 @dots{}
34685 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34686 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34687 58 return (a + b);
34688 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34689 @dots{}
34690 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34691 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
34692 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
34693 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
34694 (@value{GDBP})
34695 @end smallexample
34696
34697 Takes an optional file parameter.
34698
34699 @kindex maint print registers
34700 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34701 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34702 @kindex maint print register-groups
34703 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34704 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34705 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34706 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34707 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34708 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34709 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34710
34711 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34712 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34713 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34714 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34715 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34716 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34717 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34718 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
34719 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
34720
34721 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34722 write the information.
34723
34724 @kindex maint print reggroups
34725 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34726 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34727 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34728 information.
34729
34730 The register groups info looks like this:
34731
34732 @smallexample
34733 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34734 Group Type
34735 general user
34736 float user
34737 all user
34738 vector user
34739 system user
34740 save internal
34741 restore internal
34742 @end smallexample
34743
34744 @kindex flushregs
34745 @item flushregs
34746 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34747
34748 @kindex maint print objfiles
34749 @cindex info for known object files
34750 @item maint print objfiles
34751 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
34752 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
34753 and symtabs.
34754
34755 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34756 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34757 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34758 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34759 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34760 matching @var{regexp}.
34761 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34762 and the full path if known.
34763 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34764
34765 @kindex maint print statistics
34766 @cindex bcache statistics
34767 @item maint print statistics
34768 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34769 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34770 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34771 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34772 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34773 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34774 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34775 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34776 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34777 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34778 lengths.
34779
34780 @kindex maint print target-stack
34781 @cindex target stack description
34782 @item maint print target-stack
34783 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34784 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34785 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34786 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34787 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34788 address.
34789
34790 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34791 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34792
34793 @kindex maint print type
34794 @cindex type chain of a data type
34795 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34796 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34797 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34798 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34799 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34800 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34801
34802 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34803 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34804 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34805 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34806 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34807 information.
34808
34809 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34810 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34811 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34812 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34813 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34814 always see the disassembly form.
34815
34816 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34817
34818 @smallexample
34819 (gdb) info addr argc
34820 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34821 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
34822 @end smallexample
34823
34824 For more information on these expressions, see
34825 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34826
34827 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34828 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34829 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34830 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34831 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
34832
34833 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
34834 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34835 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
34836 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34837 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34838 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34839 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34840 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34841 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34842
34843 @kindex maint set profile
34844 @kindex maint show profile
34845 @cindex profiling GDB
34846 @item maint set profile
34847 @itemx maint show profile
34848 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34849
34850 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34851 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34852 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34853 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34854 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34855 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34856 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34857
34858 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34859 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34860
34861 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34862 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34863 @cindex hardware debug registers
34864 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34865 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34866 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34867 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
34868 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34869 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34870 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34871
34872 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34873 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34874 @item maint set show-all-tib
34875 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34876 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34877 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34878 command.
34879
34880 @kindex maint space
34881 @cindex memory used by commands
34882 @item maint space
34883 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
34884 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34885 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
34886 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
34887 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34888
34889 @kindex maint time
34890 @cindex time of command execution
34891 @item maint time
34892 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
34893 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34894 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34895 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34896 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34897 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
34898 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34899 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34900 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34901 spent by the program been debugged.
34902 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34903 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34904
34905 @kindex maint translate-address
34906 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34907 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34908 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34909 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34910 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34911 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34912 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34913
34914 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34915 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34916 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34917
34918 @end table
34919
34920 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34921 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34922
34923 @table @code
34924 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34925 @kindex set watchdog
34926 @cindex watchdog timer
34927 @cindex timeout for commands
34928 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34929 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34930 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34931
34932 @item show watchdog
34933 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34934 @end table
34935
34936 @node Remote Protocol
34937 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34938
34939 @menu
34940 * Overview::
34941 * Packets::
34942 * Stop Reply Packets::
34943 * General Query Packets::
34944 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34945 * Tracepoint Packets::
34946 * Host I/O Packets::
34947 * Interrupts::
34948 * Notification Packets::
34949 * Remote Non-Stop::
34950 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34951 * Examples::
34952 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34953 * Library List Format::
34954 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34955 * Memory Map Format::
34956 * Thread List Format::
34957 * Traceframe Info Format::
34958 @end menu
34959
34960 @node Overview
34961 @section Overview
34962
34963 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34964 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34965 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34966 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34967
34968 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34969 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34970
34971 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34972 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34973 @cindex remote serial protocol
34974 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34975 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34976 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34977 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34978 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34979
34980 @smallexample
34981 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34982 @end smallexample
34983 @noindent
34984
34985 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
34986 @noindent
34987 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
34988 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
34989 eight bit unsigned checksum).
34990
34991 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
34992 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
34993
34994 @smallexample
34995 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34996 @end smallexample
34997
34998 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
34999 @noindent
35000 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35001 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35002 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35003
35004 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35005 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35006 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35007 retransmission):
35008
35009 @smallexample
35010 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35011 <- @code{+}
35012 @end smallexample
35013 @noindent
35014
35015 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35016 once a connection is established.
35017 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35018
35019 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35020 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35021 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35022 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35023 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35024 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35025 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35026
35027 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35028 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35029 exceptions).
35030
35031 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35032 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35033 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35034 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35035
35036 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35037 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35038 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35039
35040 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35041 @anchor{Binary Data}
35042 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35043 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35044 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35045 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35046 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35047 binary data.
35048
35049 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35050 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35051 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35052 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35053 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35054 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35055 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35056 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35057 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35058 (described next).
35059
35060 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35061 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35062 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35063 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35064 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35065 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35066 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35067 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35068 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35069 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35070 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35071 3}} more times.
35072
35073 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35074 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35075 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35076 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35077 @samp{0*"00}.
35078
35079 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35080 error number. That number is not well defined.
35081
35082 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35083 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35084 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35085 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35086 on that response.
35087
35088 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35089 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35090 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35091 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35092 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35093 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35094
35095 @node Packets
35096 @section Packets
35097
35098 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35099 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35100 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35101 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35102
35103 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35104 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35105 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35106 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35107 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35108 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35109 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35110 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35111 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35112 @var{baz}.
35113
35114 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35115 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35116 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35117 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35118 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35119 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35120 pick any thread.
35121
35122 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35123 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35124 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35125 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35126 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35127 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
35128 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
35129 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
35130 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
35131 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
35132 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
35133 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
35134 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
35135
35136 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
35137 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
35138 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
35139 more information.
35140
35141 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
35142 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
35143
35144 Here are the packet descriptions.
35145
35146 @table @samp
35147
35148 @item !
35149 @cindex @samp{!} packet
35150 @anchor{extended mode}
35151 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
35152 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
35153 debugged.
35154
35155 Reply:
35156 @table @samp
35157 @item OK
35158 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
35159 @end table
35160
35161 @item ?
35162 @cindex @samp{?} packet
35163 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
35164 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
35165 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
35166
35167 Reply:
35168 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35169
35170 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
35171 @cindex @samp{A} packet
35172 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
35173 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
35174 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
35175
35176 Reply:
35177 @table @samp
35178 @item OK
35179 The arguments were set.
35180 @item E @var{NN}
35181 An error occurred.
35182 @end table
35183
35184 @item b @var{baud}
35185 @cindex @samp{b} packet
35186 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
35187 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
35188
35189 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
35190 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
35191 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
35192
35193 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
35194 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
35195 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
35196 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
35197 of view, nothing actually happened.}
35198
35199 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
35200 @cindex @samp{B} packet
35201 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
35202 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
35203
35204 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
35205 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
35206
35207 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
35208 @anchor{bc}
35209 @item bc
35210 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
35211 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35212
35213 Reply:
35214 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35215
35216 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
35217 @anchor{bs}
35218 @item bs
35219 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
35220 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35221
35222 Reply:
35223 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35224
35225 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35226 @cindex @samp{c} packet
35227 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
35228 resume at current address.
35229
35230 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35231 packet}.
35232
35233 Reply:
35234 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35235
35236 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35237 @cindex @samp{C} packet
35238 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
35239 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
35240
35241 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35242 packet}.
35243
35244 Reply:
35245 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35246
35247 @item d
35248 @cindex @samp{d} packet
35249 Toggle debug flag.
35250
35251 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
35252 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
35253
35254 @item D
35255 @itemx D;@var{pid}
35256 @cindex @samp{D} packet
35257 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
35258 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
35259 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
35260
35261 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
35262 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
35263 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
35264 big-endian hex string.
35265
35266 Reply:
35267 @table @samp
35268 @item OK
35269 for success
35270 @item E @var{NN}
35271 for an error
35272 @end table
35273
35274 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
35275 @cindex @samp{F} packet
35276 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
35277 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
35278 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
35279
35280 @item g
35281 @anchor{read registers packet}
35282 @cindex @samp{g} packet
35283 Read general registers.
35284
35285 Reply:
35286 @table @samp
35287 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35288 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
35289 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
35290 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
35291 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
35292 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
35293 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
35294
35295 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
35296 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
35297 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
35298 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
35299 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
35300 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
35301 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
35302 have been collected, and both have zero value:
35303
35304 @smallexample
35305 -> @code{g}
35306 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
35307 @end smallexample
35308
35309 @item E @var{NN}
35310 for an error.
35311 @end table
35312
35313 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
35314 @cindex @samp{G} packet
35315 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
35316 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
35317
35318 Reply:
35319 @table @samp
35320 @item OK
35321 for success
35322 @item E @var{NN}
35323 for an error
35324 @end table
35325
35326 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
35327 @cindex @samp{H} packet
35328 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
35329 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
35330 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
35331 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
35332 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
35333 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
35334 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35335
35336 Reply:
35337 @table @samp
35338 @item OK
35339 for success
35340 @item E @var{NN}
35341 for an error
35342 @end table
35343
35344 @c FIXME: JTC:
35345 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
35346 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
35347 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
35348 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
35349 @c described. For example:
35350 @c
35351 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35352 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
35353 @c otherwise returns current registers.
35354 @c
35355 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35356 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
35357 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
35358
35359 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
35360 @anchor{cycle step packet}
35361 @cindex @samp{i} packet
35362 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
35363 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
35364 step starting at that address.
35365
35366 @item I
35367 @cindex @samp{I} packet
35368 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
35369 step packet}.
35370
35371 @item k
35372 @cindex @samp{k} packet
35373 Kill request.
35374
35375 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
35376 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
35377 thread?)}.
35378
35379 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
35380 @cindex @samp{m} packet
35381 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35382 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
35383
35384 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
35385 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
35386 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
35387 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
35388 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
35389 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
35390 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
35391 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
35392
35393 Reply:
35394 @table @samp
35395 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35396 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
35397 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
35398 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
35399 @item E @var{NN}
35400 @var{NN} is errno
35401 @end table
35402
35403 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35404 @cindex @samp{M} packet
35405 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35406 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
35407 hexadecimal number.
35408
35409 Reply:
35410 @table @samp
35411 @item OK
35412 for success
35413 @item E @var{NN}
35414 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
35415 written).
35416 @end table
35417
35418 @item p @var{n}
35419 @cindex @samp{p} packet
35420 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
35421 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
35422 register value is encoded.
35423
35424 Reply:
35425 @table @samp
35426 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35427 the register's value
35428 @item E @var{NN}
35429 for an error
35430 @item
35431 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
35432 @end table
35433
35434 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
35435 @anchor{write register packet}
35436 @cindex @samp{P} packet
35437 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
35438 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
35439 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
35440
35441 Reply:
35442 @table @samp
35443 @item OK
35444 for success
35445 @item E @var{NN}
35446 for an error
35447 @end table
35448
35449 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35450 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35451 @cindex @samp{q} packet
35452 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
35453 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
35454 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
35455
35456 @item r
35457 @cindex @samp{r} packet
35458 Reset the entire system.
35459
35460 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
35461
35462 @item R @var{XX}
35463 @cindex @samp{R} packet
35464 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
35465 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35466
35467 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
35468
35469 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35470 @cindex @samp{s} packet
35471 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
35472 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
35473
35474 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35475 packet}.
35476
35477 Reply:
35478 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35479
35480 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35481 @anchor{step with signal packet}
35482 @cindex @samp{S} packet
35483 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
35484 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
35485
35486 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35487 packet}.
35488
35489 Reply:
35490 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35491
35492 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
35493 @cindex @samp{t} packet
35494 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
35495 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
35496 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
35497
35498 @item T @var{thread-id}
35499 @cindex @samp{T} packet
35500 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35501
35502 Reply:
35503 @table @samp
35504 @item OK
35505 thread is still alive
35506 @item E @var{NN}
35507 thread is dead
35508 @end table
35509
35510 @item v
35511 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
35512 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
35513
35514 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
35515 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
35516 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
35517 The process ID is a
35518 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
35519 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
35520 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
35521
35522 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35523 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35524 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35525 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35526 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35527 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35528 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35529 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35530
35531 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35532
35533 Reply:
35534 @table @samp
35535 @item E @var{nn}
35536 for an error
35537 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35538 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35539 @item OK
35540 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35541 @end table
35542
35543 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35544 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35545 @anchor{vCont packet}
35546 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35547 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35548 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35549 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35550 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35551 Specifying multiple
35552 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35553 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35554
35555 Currently supported actions are:
35556
35557 @table @samp
35558 @item c
35559 Continue.
35560 @item C @var{sig}
35561 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35562 @item s
35563 Step.
35564 @item S @var{sig}
35565 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35566 @item t
35567 Stop.
35568 @end table
35569
35570 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35571 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35572 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35573
35574 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35575 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35576 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35577 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35578 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35579 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35580 as an implementation detail.
35581
35582 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35583 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35584 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35585 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35586 @var{thread-id}.
35587
35588 Reply:
35589 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35590
35591 @item vCont?
35592 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35593 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35594
35595 Reply:
35596 @table @samp
35597 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35598 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35599 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35600 @item
35601 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35602 @end table
35603
35604 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35605 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35606 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35607 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35608
35609 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35610 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35611 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35612 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35613 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35614 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35615 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35616 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35617 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35618 packet is received.
35619
35620 Reply:
35621 @table @samp
35622 @item OK
35623 for success
35624 @item E @var{NN}
35625 for an error
35626 @end table
35627
35628 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35629 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35630 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35631 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35632 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35633 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35634 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35635 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35636 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35637 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35638 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35639 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35640
35641
35642 Reply:
35643 @table @samp
35644 @item OK
35645 for success
35646 @item E.memtype
35647 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35648 @item E @var{NN}
35649 for an error
35650 @end table
35651
35652 @item vFlashDone
35653 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35654 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35655 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35656 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35657 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35658 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35659 request is completed.
35660
35661 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35662 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35663 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
35664 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35665 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35666 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35667
35668 Reply:
35669 @table @samp
35670 @item E @var{nn}
35671 for an error
35672 @item OK
35673 for success
35674 @end table
35675
35676 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35677 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35678 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35679 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35680 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35681 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35682 state.
35683
35684 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35685
35686 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35687
35688 Reply:
35689 @table @samp
35690 @item E @var{nn}
35691 for an error
35692 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35693 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35694 @end table
35695
35696 @item vStopped
35697 @anchor{vStopped packet}
35698 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35699
35700 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
35701 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
35702
35703 Reply:
35704 @table @samp
35705 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35706 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35707 @item OK
35708 if there are no unreported stop events
35709 @end table
35710
35711 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35712 @anchor{X packet}
35713 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35714 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35715 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
35716 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35717
35718 Reply:
35719 @table @samp
35720 @item OK
35721 for success
35722 @item E @var{NN}
35723 for an error
35724 @end table
35725
35726 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35727 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35728 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35729 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35730 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35731 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35732 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35733
35734 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35735 separately.
35736
35737 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35738 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35739 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35740 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35741 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35742 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35743
35744 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35745 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35746 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35747 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35748 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35749 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35750
35751 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35752 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35753 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35754 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35755 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35756 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35757 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35758 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35759 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35760 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35761
35762 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35763 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35764
35765 @table @samp
35766
35767 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35768 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35769 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35770
35771 @end table
35772
35773 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35774 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35775 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35776 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35777 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35778 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35779 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35780
35781 @table @samp
35782
35783 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35784 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35785 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35786
35787 @end table
35788
35789 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35790
35791 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35792 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35793 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35794 target, is not defined.}
35795
35796 Reply:
35797 @table @samp
35798 @item OK
35799 success
35800 @item
35801 not supported
35802 @item E @var{NN}
35803 for an error
35804 @end table
35805
35806 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35807 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35808 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35809 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35810 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35811 address @var{addr}.
35812
35813 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35814 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
35815 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35816
35817 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35818 movement.}
35819
35820 Reply:
35821 @table @samp
35822 @item OK
35823 success
35824 @item
35825 not supported
35826 @item E @var{NN}
35827 for an error
35828 @end table
35829
35830 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35831 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35832 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35833 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35834 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35835 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35836
35837 Reply:
35838 @table @samp
35839 @item OK
35840 success
35841 @item
35842 not supported
35843 @item E @var{NN}
35844 for an error
35845 @end table
35846
35847 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35848 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35849 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35850 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35851 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35852 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35853
35854 Reply:
35855 @table @samp
35856 @item OK
35857 success
35858 @item
35859 not supported
35860 @item E @var{NN}
35861 for an error
35862 @end table
35863
35864 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35865 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35866 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35867 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35868 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35869 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35870
35871 Reply:
35872 @table @samp
35873 @item OK
35874 success
35875 @item
35876 not supported
35877 @item E @var{NN}
35878 for an error
35879 @end table
35880
35881 @end table
35882
35883 @node Stop Reply Packets
35884 @section Stop Reply Packets
35885 @cindex stop reply packets
35886
35887 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35888 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35889 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35890 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35891 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35892 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35893 @value{GDBN} source code.
35894
35895 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35896 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35897 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35898 components.
35899
35900 @table @samp
35901
35902 @item S @var{AA}
35903 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35904 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35905 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35906
35907 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35908 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35909 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35910 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35911 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35912 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35913 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35914 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35915
35916 @itemize @bullet
35917 @item
35918 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35919 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
35920 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35921 two-digit hex number.
35922
35923 @item
35924 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35925 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35926
35927 @item
35928 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35929 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35930
35931 @item
35932 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35933 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35934 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35935 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35936
35937 @item
35938 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35939 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35940 future.
35941 @end itemize
35942
35943 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35944
35945 @table @samp
35946 @item watch
35947 @itemx rwatch
35948 @itemx awatch
35949 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35950 hex.
35951
35952 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35953 @item library
35954 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35955 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35956 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
35957
35958 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35959 @item replaylog
35960 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35961 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35962 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35963 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35964 for more information.
35965 @end table
35966
35967 @item W @var{AA}
35968 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35969 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35970 applicable to certain targets.
35971
35972 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35973 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35974 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35975 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35976
35977 @item X @var{AA}
35978 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35979 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35980
35981 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35982 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
35983 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
35984 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35985
35986 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
35987 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
35988 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
35989 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
35990 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
35991
35992 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
35993 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
35994 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
35995 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
35996 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
35997 system calls.
35998
35999 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36000 this very system call.
36001
36002 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36003 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36004 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36005 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36006 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36007 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36008
36009 @end table
36010
36011 @node General Query Packets
36012 @section General Query Packets
36013 @cindex remote query requests
36014
36015 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36016 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36017 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36018 sending information to and from the stub.
36019
36020 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36021 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36022 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36023 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36024 conventions:
36025
36026 @itemize @bullet
36027 @item
36028 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36029 @item
36030 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36031 letter.
36032 @item
36033 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36034 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36035 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36036 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36037 @end itemize
36038
36039 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36040 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36041 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36042 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36043 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36044 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36045 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36046 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36047 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36048 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36049 packet.}.
36050
36051 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36052 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36053 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36054 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36055 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36056
36057 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36058
36059 @table @samp
36060
36061 @item QAgent:1
36062 @item QAgent:0
36063 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36064 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36065
36066 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36067 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36068 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36069 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36070 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36071 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36072 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36073 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36074 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36075 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36076 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36077
36078 @item qC
36079 @cindex current thread, remote request
36080 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36081 Return the current thread ID.
36082
36083 Reply:
36084 @table @samp
36085 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36086 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36087 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36088 @item @r{(anything else)}
36089 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36090 @end table
36091
36092 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36093 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36094 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36095 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36096 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36097 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36098 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36099
36100 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36101 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36102 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36103 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36104 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36105 detect trailing zeros.
36106
36107 Reply:
36108 @table @samp
36109 @item E @var{NN}
36110 An error (such as memory fault)
36111 @item C @var{crc32}
36112 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36113 @end table
36114
36115 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36116 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36117 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36118 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36119 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36120 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36121 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36122 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36123 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36124 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36125 randomization.
36126
36127 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36128
36129 Reply:
36130 @table @samp
36131 @item OK
36132 The request succeeded.
36133
36134 @item E @var{nn}
36135 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36136
36137 @item
36138 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
36139 by the stub.
36140 @end table
36141
36142 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36143 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36144 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
36145 address space randomization.
36146
36147 @item qfThreadInfo
36148 @itemx qsThreadInfo
36149 @cindex list active threads, remote request
36150 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
36151 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
36152 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
36153 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
36154 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
36155 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
36156 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
36157 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
36158
36159 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
36160
36161 Reply:
36162 @table @samp
36163 @item m @var{thread-id}
36164 A single thread ID
36165 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
36166 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
36167 @item l
36168 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36169 @end table
36170
36171 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36172 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
36173 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
36174 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
36175 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
36176 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
36177 fields.
36178
36179 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
36180 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
36181 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
36182 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
36183 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
36184
36185 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
36186 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36187
36188 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
36189 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
36190 information associated with the variable.)
36191
36192 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
36193 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
36194 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
36195 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
36196 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
36197 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
36198
36199 Reply:
36200 @table @samp
36201 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36202 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
36203 local storage requested.
36204
36205 @item E @var{nn}
36206 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36207
36208 @item
36209 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36210 @end table
36211
36212 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
36213 @cindex get thread information block address
36214 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
36215 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
36216
36217 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
36218
36219 Reply:
36220 @table @samp
36221 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36222 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
36223 thread information block.
36224
36225 @item E @var{nn}
36226 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
36227 address could not be retrieved.
36228
36229 @item
36230 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36231 @end table
36232
36233 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36234 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36235 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36236 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36237 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36238 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36239 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36240
36241 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36242
36243 Reply:
36244 @table @samp
36245 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36246 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36247 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36248 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36249 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36250 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
36251 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36252 @end table
36253
36254 @item qOffsets
36255 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36256 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36257 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36258 image.
36259
36260 Reply:
36261 @table @samp
36262 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36263 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36264 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36265 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36266 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36267 segments by the supplied offsets.
36268
36269 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36270 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36271 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36272
36273 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36274 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36275 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36276 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36277 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36278 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36279 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36280 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36281 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36282 @end table
36283
36284 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36285 @cindex thread information, remote request
36286 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36287 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36288 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36289 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36290
36291 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36292 (see below).
36293
36294 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36295
36296 @item QNonStop:1
36297 @item QNonStop:0
36298 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36299 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36300 @anchor{QNonStop}
36301 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36302 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36303
36304 Reply:
36305 @table @samp
36306 @item OK
36307 The request succeeded.
36308
36309 @item E @var{nn}
36310 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36311
36312 @item
36313 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36314 the stub.
36315 @end table
36316
36317 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36318 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36319 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36320 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36321
36322 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36323 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36324 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36325 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36326 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36327 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36328 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36329 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36330 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36331 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36332 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36333 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36334 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36335
36336 Reply:
36337 @table @samp
36338 @item OK
36339 The request succeeded.
36340
36341 @item E @var{nn}
36342 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36343
36344 @item
36345 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36346 the stub.
36347 @end table
36348
36349 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36350 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36351 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36352 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36353
36354 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36355 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36356 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36357 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36358 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36359 Others should be silently discarded.
36360
36361 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36362 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36363 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36364 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36365 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36366 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36367 signals.
36368
36369 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
36370 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
36371
36372 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36373 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36374 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
36375 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
36376 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36377
36378 Reply:
36379 @table @samp
36380 @item OK
36381 The request succeeded.
36382
36383 @item E @var{nn}
36384 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36385
36386 @item
36387 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36388 by the stub.
36389 @end table
36390
36391 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36392 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36393 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36394 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36395
36396 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36397 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36398 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36399 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36400 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36401 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36402 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36403 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36404 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36405
36406 Reply:
36407 @table @samp
36408 @item OK
36409 A command response with no output.
36410 @item @var{OUTPUT}
36411 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36412 @item E @var{NN}
36413 Indicate a badly formed request.
36414 @item
36415 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36416 @end table
36417
36418 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36419 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36420 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36421 packets.)
36422
36423 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36424 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36425 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36426 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36427 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36428 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
36429 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
36430
36431 Reply:
36432 @table @samp
36433 @item 0
36434 The pattern was not found.
36435 @item 1,address
36436 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36437 @item E @var{NN}
36438 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36439 @item
36440 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36441 @end table
36442
36443 @item QStartNoAckMode
36444 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36445 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36446 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36447 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36448
36449 Reply:
36450 @table @samp
36451 @item OK
36452 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36453 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36454 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36455 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36456 @item
36457 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36458 @end table
36459
36460 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36461 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36462 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36463 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36464 @anchor{qSupported}
36465 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36466 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36467 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36468 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36469 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36470 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36471 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36472 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36473 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36474 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36475 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36476 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36477 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36478 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36479
36480 Reply:
36481 @table @samp
36482 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36483 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36484 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36485 possible forms).
36486 @item
36487 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36488 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36489 @end table
36490
36491 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36492 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36493 are:
36494
36495 @table @samp
36496 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36497 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36498 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36499 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36500 @item @var{name}+
36501 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36502 need an associated value.
36503 @item @var{name}-
36504 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36505 @item @var{name}?
36506 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36507 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36508 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36509 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36510 @end table
36511
36512 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36513 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36514 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36515 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36516 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36517
36518 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36519 are defined:
36520
36521 @table @samp
36522 @item multiprocess
36523 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36524 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36525 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36526 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36527 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36528
36529 @item xmlRegisters
36530 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36531 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36532 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36533 description.
36534
36535 @item qRelocInsn
36536 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36537 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36538 instruction reply packet}).
36539 @end table
36540
36541 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36542 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36543 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36544 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36545 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36546 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36547 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36548 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36549 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36550 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36551 all the features it supports.
36552
36553 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36554 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36555
36556 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36557 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36558 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36559 form response.
36560
36561 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36562 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36563 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36564 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36565
36566 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36567 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36568 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36569 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36570 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36571
36572 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36573
36574 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36575 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36576 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36577 @item Feature Name
36578 @tab Value Required
36579 @tab Default
36580 @tab Probe Allowed
36581
36582 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36583 @tab Yes
36584 @tab @samp{-}
36585 @tab No
36586
36587 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36588 @tab No
36589 @tab @samp{-}
36590 @tab Yes
36591
36592 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36593 @tab No
36594 @tab @samp{-}
36595 @tab Yes
36596
36597 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36598 @tab No
36599 @tab @samp{-}
36600 @tab Yes
36601
36602 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36603 @tab No
36604 @tab @samp{-}
36605 @tab Yes
36606
36607 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36608 @tab No
36609 @tab @samp{-}
36610 @tab Yes
36611
36612 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36613 @tab No
36614 @tab @samp{-}
36615 @tab Yes
36616
36617 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36618 @tab No
36619 @tab @samp{-}
36620 @tab Yes
36621
36622 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36623 @tab No
36624 @tab @samp{-}
36625 @tab Yes
36626
36627 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36628 @tab No
36629 @tab @samp{-}
36630 @tab Yes
36631
36632 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36633 @tab No
36634 @tab @samp{-}
36635 @tab Yes
36636
36637 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36638 @tab No
36639 @tab @samp{-}
36640 @tab Yes
36641
36642 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36643 @tab No
36644 @tab @samp{-}
36645 @tab Yes
36646
36647 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36648 @tab No
36649 @tab @samp{-}
36650 @tab Yes
36651
36652 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36653 @tab No
36654 @tab @samp{-}
36655 @tab Yes
36656
36657 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36658 @tab No
36659 @tab @samp{-}
36660 @tab Yes
36661
36662 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36663 @tab No
36664 @tab @samp{-}
36665 @tab Yes
36666
36667 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36668 @tab No
36669 @tab @samp{-}
36670 @tab No
36671
36672 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36673 @tab No
36674 @tab @samp{-}
36675 @tab No
36676
36677 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36678 @tab No
36679 @tab @samp{-}
36680 @tab No
36681
36682 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36683 @tab No
36684 @tab @samp{-}
36685 @tab No
36686
36687 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36688 @tab No
36689 @tab @samp{-}
36690 @tab No
36691
36692 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36693 @tab No
36694 @tab @samp{-}
36695 @tab No
36696
36697 @item @samp{QAgent}
36698 @tab No
36699 @tab @samp{-}
36700 @tab No
36701
36702 @item @samp{QAllow}
36703 @tab No
36704 @tab @samp{-}
36705 @tab No
36706
36707 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36708 @tab No
36709 @tab @samp{-}
36710 @tab No
36711
36712 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36713 @tab No
36714 @tab @samp{-}
36715 @tab No
36716
36717 @item @samp{tracenz}
36718 @tab No
36719 @tab @samp{-}
36720 @tab No
36721
36722 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36723 @tab No
36724 @tab @samp{-}
36725 @tab No
36726
36727 @end multitable
36728
36729 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36730
36731 @table @samp
36732 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36733 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36734 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36735 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36736 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36737 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36738 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36739 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36740 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36741 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36742
36743 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36744 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36745 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36746
36747 @item qXfer:features:read
36748 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36749 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36750
36751 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36752 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36753 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36754
36755 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36756 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36757 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36758
36759 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36760 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36761 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36762
36763 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36764 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36765 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36766
36767 @item qXfer:spu:read
36768 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36769 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36770
36771 @item qXfer:spu:write
36772 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36773 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36774
36775 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36776 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36777 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36778
36779 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36780 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36781 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36782
36783 @item qXfer:threads:read
36784 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36785 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36786
36787 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36788 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36789 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36790
36791 @item qXfer:uib:read
36792 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36793 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36794
36795 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36796 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36797 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36798
36799 @item QNonStop
36800 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36801 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36802
36803 @item QPassSignals
36804 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36805 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36806
36807 @item QStartNoAckMode
36808 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36809 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36810
36811 @item multiprocess
36812 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36813 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36814 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36815 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36816 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36817 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36818 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36819 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36820 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36821 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36822 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36823
36824 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36825 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36826 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36827
36828 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36829 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36830 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36831 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36832
36833 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36834 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36835 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36836
36837 @item ReverseContinue
36838 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36839 (@pxref{bc}).
36840
36841 @item ReverseStep
36842 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36843 (@pxref{bs}).
36844
36845 @item TracepointSource
36846 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36847 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36848
36849 @item QAgent
36850 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36851
36852 @item QAllow
36853 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36854
36855 @item QDisableRandomization
36856 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36857
36858 @item StaticTracepoint
36859 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36860 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36861
36862 @item InstallInTrace
36863 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36864 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36865
36866 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36867 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36868 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36869 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36870
36871 @item tracenz
36872 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36873 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36874 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36875
36876 @item BreakpointCommands
36877 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36878 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36879 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36880
36881 @end table
36882
36883 @item qSymbol::
36884 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36885 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36886 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36887 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36888
36889 Reply:
36890 @table @samp
36891 @item OK
36892 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36893 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36894 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36895 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36896 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36897 below.
36898 @end table
36899
36900 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36901 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36902
36903 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36904 target has previously requested.
36905
36906 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36907 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36908 will be empty.
36909
36910 Reply:
36911 @table @samp
36912 @item OK
36913 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36914 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36915 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36916 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36917 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36918 @end table
36919
36920 @item qTBuffer
36921 @item QTBuffer
36922 @item QTDisconnected
36923 @itemx QTDP
36924 @itemx QTDPsrc
36925 @itemx QTDV
36926 @itemx qTfP
36927 @itemx qTfV
36928 @itemx QTFrame
36929 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36930
36931 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36932
36933 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36934 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36935 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36936 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
36937 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
36938 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
36939 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36940 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36941 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36942 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36943 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36944
36945 Reply:
36946 @table @samp
36947 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36948 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36949 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36950 the thread's attributes.
36951 @end table
36952
36953 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36954 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36955 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36956 packets.)
36957
36958 @item QTNotes
36959 @item qTP
36960 @item QTSave
36961 @item qTsP
36962 @item qTsV
36963 @itemx QTStart
36964 @itemx QTStop
36965 @itemx QTEnable
36966 @itemx QTDisable
36967 @itemx QTinit
36968 @itemx QTro
36969 @itemx qTStatus
36970 @itemx qTV
36971 @itemx qTfSTM
36972 @itemx qTsSTM
36973 @itemx qTSTMat
36974 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36975
36976 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36977 @cindex read special object, remote request
36978 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
36979 @anchor{qXfer read}
36980 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
36981 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
36982 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
36983 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
36984 additional details about what data to access.
36985
36986 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36987 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36988 formats, listed below.
36989
36990 @table @samp
36991 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36992 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
36993 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
36994 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
36995
36996 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36997 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36998
36999 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37000 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37001 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37002 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37003 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37004
37005 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37006 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37007
37008 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37009 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37010 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37011 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37012 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37013
37014 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37015 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37016 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37017
37018 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37019 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37020
37021 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37022 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37023 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37024 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37025 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37026
37027 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37028 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
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:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37034 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37035 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37036 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37037 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37038
37039 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37040 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37041
37042 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37043 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37044
37045 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37046 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37047 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37048 Action Lists}.
37049
37050 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37051 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37052 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37053
37054 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37055 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37056 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37057 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37058 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37059
37060 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37061 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37062 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37063
37064 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37065 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37066 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37067 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37068 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37069 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37070 in that context to be accessed.
37071
37072 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37073 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37074 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37075
37076 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37077 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37078 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37079 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37080 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37081
37082 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37083 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37084
37085 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37086 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37087
37088 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37089 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37090 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37091
37092 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37093 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37094
37095 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37096 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37097
37098 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37099 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37100
37101 This packet is not probed by default.
37102
37103 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37104 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37105 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37106 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37107 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37108
37109 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37110 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37111
37112 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37113 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37114 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37115 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37116
37117 @end table
37118
37119 Reply:
37120 @table @samp
37121 @item m @var{data}
37122 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37123 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37124 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37125 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37126 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37127 request.
37128
37129 @item l @var{data}
37130 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37131 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
37132 than the @var{length} in the request.
37133
37134 @item l
37135 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37136 There is no more data to be read.
37137
37138 @item E00
37139 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37140
37141 @item E @var{nn}
37142 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37143 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37144
37145 @item
37146 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37147 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37148 @end table
37149
37150 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37151 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37152 @anchor{qXfer write}
37153 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37154 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37155 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
37156 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37157 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37158 to access.
37159
37160 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37161 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37162 formats, listed below.
37163
37164 @table @samp
37165 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37166 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37167 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37168 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37169 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37170
37171 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37172 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37173 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37174
37175 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37176 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37177 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37178 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37179 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37180 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37181 in that context to be accessed.
37182
37183 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37184 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37185 @end table
37186
37187 Reply:
37188 @table @samp
37189 @item @var{nn}
37190 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37191 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37192
37193 @item E00
37194 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37195
37196 @item E @var{nn}
37197 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37198 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37199
37200 @item
37201 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37202 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37203 @end table
37204
37205 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37206 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37207 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37208 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37209 must respond with an empty packet.
37210
37211 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37212 @cindex query attached, remote request
37213 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37214 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37215 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37216 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37217 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37218 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37219 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37220
37221 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37222 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37223 the @code{quit} command.
37224
37225 Reply:
37226 @table @samp
37227 @item 1
37228 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37229 @item 0
37230 The remote server created a new process.
37231 @item E @var{NN}
37232 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37233 @end table
37234
37235 @end table
37236
37237 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37238 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37239
37240 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37241 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37242 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37243
37244 @menu
37245 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37246 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37247 @end menu
37248
37249 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37250 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37251
37252 @menu
37253 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37254 @end menu
37255
37256 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37257 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37258 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37259
37260 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37261
37262 @table @r
37263
37264 @item 2
37265 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37266
37267 @item 3
37268 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37269
37270 @item 4
37271 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37272
37273 @end table
37274
37275 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37276 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37277
37278 @menu
37279 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37280 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37281 @end menu
37282
37283 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37284 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37285 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37286
37287 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37288 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37289 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37290 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37291 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37292 most-significant -- least-significant.
37293
37294 @table @r
37295
37296 @item MIPS32
37297 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37298 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37299 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37300
37301 @item MIPS64
37302 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37303 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37304 as @code{MIPS32}.
37305
37306 @end table
37307
37308 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37309 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37310 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37311
37312 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37313
37314 @table @r
37315
37316 @item 2
37317 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37318
37319 @item 3
37320 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37321
37322 @item 4
37323 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37324
37325 @item 5
37326 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37327
37328 @end table
37329
37330 @node Tracepoint Packets
37331 @section Tracepoint Packets
37332 @cindex tracepoint packets
37333 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37334
37335 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37336 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37337
37338 @table @samp
37339
37340 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37341 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37342 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37343 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37344 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
37345 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37346 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37347 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37348 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37349 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37350 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37351 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37352 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37353 actions.
37354
37355 Replies:
37356 @table @samp
37357 @item OK
37358 The packet was understood and carried out.
37359 @item qRelocInsn
37360 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37361 @item
37362 The packet was not recognized.
37363 @end table
37364
37365 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37366 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
37367 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37368 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37369 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37370 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37371 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37372
37373 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37374 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37375 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37376 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37377 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37378 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37379 tracepoint actions.
37380
37381 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37382 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37383 following forms:
37384
37385 @table @samp
37386
37387 @item R @var{mask}
37388 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
37389 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37390 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37391 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37392 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37393
37394 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37395 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37396 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37397 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37398 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37399 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37400 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37401
37402 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37403 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37404 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
37405 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37406 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37407 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37408 packet).
37409
37410 @end table
37411
37412 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37413 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37414 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37415 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37416 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37417 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37418 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37419 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37420
37421 Replies:
37422 @table @samp
37423 @item OK
37424 The packet was understood and carried out.
37425 @item qRelocInsn
37426 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37427 @item
37428 The packet was not recognized.
37429 @end table
37430
37431 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37432 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37433 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37434 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37435 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
37436 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37437 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37438 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37439
37440 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37441 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37442 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37443 fit in a single packet.
37444 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37445 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37446
37447 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37448 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37449 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37450 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37451
37452 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37453 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37454 query packets.
37455
37456 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37457 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37458 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37459 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37460 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37461 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37462 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37463 be found.
37464
37465 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
37466 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37467 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37468 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37469 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37470 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37471 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37472 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37473 mentioned in expressions.
37474
37475 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37476 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37477 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37478 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37479 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37480
37481 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37482 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37483 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37484 one of the following forms:
37485
37486 @table @samp
37487 @item F @var{f}
37488 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37489 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37490 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37491
37492 @item T @var{t}
37493 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37494 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37495
37496 @end table
37497
37498 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37499 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37500 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37501 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37502
37503 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37504 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37505 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37506 is a hexadecimal number.
37507
37508 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37509 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37510 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37511 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37512 numbers.
37513
37514 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37515 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37516 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37517
37518 @item qTMinFTPILen
37519 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37520 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37521 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37522 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37523 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37524 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37525 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37526 arrange for that.
37527
37528 Replies:
37529
37530 @table @samp
37531 @item 0
37532 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37533 @item @var{length}
37534 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
37535 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
37536 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
37537 @item E
37538 An error has occurred.
37539 @item
37540 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37541 @end table
37542
37543 @item QTStart
37544 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37545 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37546 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37547 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37548 instruction reply packet}).
37549
37550 @item QTStop
37551 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37552 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37553
37554 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37555 @anchor{QTEnable}
37556 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37557 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37558 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37559 of data from it will resume.
37560
37561 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37562 @anchor{QTDisable}
37563 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37564 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37565 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37566 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37567
37568 @item QTinit
37569 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37570 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37571
37572 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37573 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37574 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37575 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37576 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37577
37578 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37579 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37580 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37581 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37582
37583 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37584 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37585 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37586 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37587 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37588 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37589
37590 @item qTStatus
37591 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37592 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37593
37594 The reply has the form:
37595
37596 @table @samp
37597
37598 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37599 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37600 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37601 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37602
37603 @end table
37604
37605 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37606 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37607
37608 @table @samp
37609
37610 @item tnotrun:0
37611 No trace has been run yet.
37612
37613 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37614 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37615 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37616 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37617 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37618
37619 @item tfull:0
37620 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37621
37622 @item tdisconnected:0
37623 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37624
37625 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37626 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37627
37628 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37629 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37630 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37631 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
37632 @var{text} is hex encoded.
37633
37634 @item tunknown:0
37635 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37636
37637 @end table
37638
37639 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37640 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37641 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37642 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37643 trace.
37644
37645 @table @samp
37646
37647 @item tframes:@var{n}
37648 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37649
37650 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37651 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37652 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37653
37654 @item tsize:@var{n}
37655 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37656
37657 @item tfree:@var{n}
37658 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37659
37660 @item circular:@var{n}
37661 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37662 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37663 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37664 and may fill up.
37665
37666 @item disconn:@var{n}
37667 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37668 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37669 that the trace run will stop.
37670
37671 @end table
37672
37673 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37674 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37675 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37676 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37677 address @var{addr}.
37678
37679 Replies:
37680 @table @samp
37681 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37682 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37683 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37684 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37685 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37686
37687 @end table
37688
37689 @item qTV:@var{var}
37690 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37691 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37692 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37693
37694 Replies:
37695 @table @samp
37696 @item V@var{value}
37697 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37698 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37699 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37700 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37701 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37702 program is running.
37703
37704 @item U
37705 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37706 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37707 was not collected.
37708 @end table
37709
37710 @item qTfP
37711 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37712 @itemx qTsP
37713 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37714 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37715 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37716 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37717 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37718 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37719
37720 @item qTfV
37721 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37722 @itemx qTsV
37723 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37724 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37725 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37726 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37727 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37728 trace state variables.
37729
37730 @item qTfSTM
37731 @itemx qTsSTM
37732 @anchor{qTfSTM}
37733 @anchor{qTsSTM}
37734 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37735 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37736 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37737 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37738 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37739 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37740
37741 Reply:
37742 @table @samp
37743 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37744 A single marker
37745 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37746 a comma-separated list of markers
37747 @item l
37748 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37749 @item E @var{nn}
37750 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37751 @item
37752 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37753 stub.
37754 @end table
37755
37756 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
37757 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37758
37759 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37760 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37761 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37762 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37763 @dfn{last}).
37764
37765 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37766 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37767 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37768 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37769 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37770 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37771 tracepoint markers.
37772
37773 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37774 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37775 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37776 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
37777 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37778 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37779
37780 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37781 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37782 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37783 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37784 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37785 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37786 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37787 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37788 available.
37789
37790 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37791 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37792 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37793
37794 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37795 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37796 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37797 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37798 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37799
37800 @end table
37801
37802 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37803 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37804 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37805 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37806 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37807 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37808 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37809 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37810 it had executed in the original location.
37811
37812 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37813 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37814 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37815 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37816 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37817 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37818 format of the request is:
37819
37820 @table @samp
37821 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37822
37823 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37824 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37825 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37826 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37827 memory starting at @var{to}.
37828 @end table
37829
37830 Replies:
37831 @table @samp
37832 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37833 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
37834 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37835 @item E @var{NN}
37836 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37837 relocating the instruction.
37838 @end table
37839
37840 @node Host I/O Packets
37841 @section Host I/O Packets
37842 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37843 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37844
37845 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37846 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37847 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37848 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37849 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37850 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37851 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37852 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37853 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37854 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37855
37856 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37857 its arguments. They have this format:
37858
37859 @table @samp
37860
37861 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37862 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37863 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37864 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37865 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37866 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37867 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37868 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37869 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37870
37871 @end table
37872
37873 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37874
37875 @table @samp
37876
37877 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37878 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37879 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37880 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
37881 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37882 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37883 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37884 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37885 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37886 @var{attachment}.
37887
37888 @item
37889 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37890
37891 @end table
37892
37893 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37894
37895 @table @samp
37896 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37897 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37898 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
37899 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37900 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37901 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37902 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37903
37904 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37905 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37906 -1 if an error occurs.
37907
37908 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37909 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37910 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37911 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37912 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37913 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37914 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37915 @var{count} was zero.
37916
37917 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37918 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37919 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37920 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37921 some characters were escaped.
37922
37923 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37924 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37925 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37926 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37927 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37928 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37929 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37930 error occurred.
37931
37932 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
37933 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
37934 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
37935
37936 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37937 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37938 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37939
37940 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37941 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37942 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37943 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37944 some characters were escaped.
37945
37946 @end table
37947
37948 @node Interrupts
37949 @section Interrupts
37950 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37951
37952 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
37953 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
37954 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
37955 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37956
37957 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37958 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37959 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37960 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37961 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37962
37963 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37964 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37965 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37966 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37967 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37968 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37969 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37970 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37971
37972 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37973 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37974 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
37975
37976 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
37977 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
37978 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
37979 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
37980 currently-executing threads and processes.
37981 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
37982 running program, it should send one of the stop
37983 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
37984 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
37985 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
37986 Interrupts received while the
37987 program is stopped are discarded.
37988
37989 @node Notification Packets
37990 @section Notification Packets
37991 @cindex notification packets
37992 @cindex packets, notification
37993
37994 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
37995 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
37996 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
37997 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
37998 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
37999 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38000 is not a problem.
38001
38002 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38003 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38004 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38005 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38006 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38007 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38008 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38009
38010 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38011 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38012
38013 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38014 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38015 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38016 not they understand it.
38017
38018 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38019 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38020 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38021 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38022 recipients.
38023
38024 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38025 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38026 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38027 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38028 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38029
38030 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
38031 defined:
38032
38033 @table @samp
38034 @item Stop: @var{reply}
38035 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38036 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38037 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38038 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38039 @value{GDBN}.
38040 @end table
38041
38042 @node Remote Non-Stop
38043 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38044
38045 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38046 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38047 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38048 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38049
38050 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38051 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38052 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38053 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38054 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38055 probe the target state after a mode change.
38056
38057 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38058 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38059 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38060 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38061 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38062 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38063 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38064 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38065 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38066 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38067 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38068
38069 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
38070 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38071 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38072 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
38073 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38074 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
38075 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
38076 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
38077 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
38078 sending any queued stop events.
38079
38080 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
38081 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
38082 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
38083 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38084 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38085 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38086 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38087
38088 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
38089 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
38090 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
38091 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
38092 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
38093 process normally.
38094
38095 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
38096 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38097 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
38098 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
38099 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
38100 should process normally.
38101
38102 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
38103 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
38104 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
38105 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
38106 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
38107
38108 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38109 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38110 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38111 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38112 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38113 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38114 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38115 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38116 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38117 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38118 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38119 @samp{OK}.
38120
38121 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38122 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38123
38124 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38125 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38126 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38127 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38128 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38129 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38130 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38131
38132 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38133 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38134 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38135 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38136 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38137
38138 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38139 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38140 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38141 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38142
38143 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38144 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38145 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38146 @pxref{qSupported}.
38147 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38148 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38149 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38150 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38151 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38152 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38153 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38154
38155 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38156 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38157 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38158 connection.
38159 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38160 new connection is established,
38161 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38162 for the current connection, once disabled.
38163
38164 @node Examples
38165 @section Examples
38166
38167 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38168 does not get any direct output:
38169
38170 @smallexample
38171 -> @code{R00}
38172 <- @code{+}
38173 @emph{target restarts}
38174 -> @code{?}
38175 <- @code{+}
38176 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38177 -> @code{+}
38178 @end smallexample
38179
38180 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38181
38182 @smallexample
38183 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38184 <- @code{+}
38185 -> @code{s}
38186 <- @code{+}
38187 @emph{time passes}
38188 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38189 -> @code{+}
38190 -> @code{g}
38191 <- @code{+}
38192 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38193 -> @code{+}
38194 @end smallexample
38195
38196 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38197 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38198 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38199
38200 @menu
38201 * File-I/O Overview::
38202 * Protocol Basics::
38203 * The F Request Packet::
38204 * The F Reply Packet::
38205 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38206 * Console I/O::
38207 * List of Supported Calls::
38208 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38209 * Constants::
38210 * File-I/O Examples::
38211 @end menu
38212
38213 @node File-I/O Overview
38214 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38215 @cindex file-i/o overview
38216
38217 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38218 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38219 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38220 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38221 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38222 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38223
38224 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38225 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38226 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38227 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38228 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38229
38230 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38231 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38232 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38233 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38234 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38235 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38236 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38237
38238 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38239 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38240 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38241 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38242 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38243
38244 @smallexample
38245 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38246 <- target requests 'system call X'
38247 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38248 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38249 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38250 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38251 @end smallexample
38252
38253 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38254 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38255 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38256 system are not supported by this protocol.
38257
38258 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38259
38260 @node Protocol Basics
38261 @subsection Protocol Basics
38262 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38263
38264 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38265 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38266 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38267 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38268 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38269 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38270 to call the appropriate host system call:
38271
38272 @itemize @bullet
38273 @item
38274 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38275
38276 @item
38277 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38278 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38279 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38280 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38281
38282 @end itemize
38283
38284 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38285
38286 @itemize @bullet
38287 @item
38288 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38289 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38290 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38291 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38292 packet.
38293
38294 @item
38295 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38296 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38297
38298 @item
38299 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38300
38301 @item
38302 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38303
38304 @item
38305 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38306 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38307 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38308 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38309 packet.
38310
38311 @end itemize
38312
38313 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38314 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38315
38316 @itemize @bullet
38317 @item
38318 Return value.
38319
38320 @item
38321 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38322
38323 @item
38324 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38325
38326 @end itemize
38327
38328 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38329 the latest continue or step action.
38330
38331 @node The F Request Packet
38332 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38333 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38334 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38335
38336 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38337
38338 @table @samp
38339 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38340
38341 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38342 This is just the name of the function.
38343
38344 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38345 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38346 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38347 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38348 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38349 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38350 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38351
38352 @end table
38353
38354
38355
38356 @node The F Reply Packet
38357 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38358 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38359 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38360
38361 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38362
38363 @table @samp
38364
38365 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38366
38367 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38368
38369 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38370 representation.
38371 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38372
38373 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38374 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38375 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38376
38377 @smallexample
38378 F0,0,C
38379 @end smallexample
38380
38381 @noindent
38382 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38383
38384 @smallexample
38385 F-1,4,C
38386 @end smallexample
38387
38388 @noindent
38389 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38390
38391 @end table
38392
38393
38394 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38395 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38396 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38397
38398 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38399 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38400 the target should behave as if it had
38401 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38402 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38403 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38404 packet.
38405
38406 It's important for the target to know in which
38407 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38408
38409 @itemize @bullet
38410 @item
38411 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38412
38413 @item
38414 The system call on the host has been finished.
38415
38416 @end itemize
38417
38418 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38419 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38420 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38421 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38422 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38423 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38424
38425 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38426 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38427 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38428 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38429 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38430 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38431 or the full action has been completed.
38432
38433 @node Console I/O
38434 @subsection Console I/O
38435 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38436
38437 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38438 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38439 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38440 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38441 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38442 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38443 conditions is met:
38444
38445 @itemize @bullet
38446 @item
38447 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38448 @code{read}
38449 system call is treated as finished.
38450
38451 @item
38452 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38453 newline.
38454
38455 @item
38456 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38457 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38458
38459 @end itemize
38460
38461 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38462 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38463 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38464 is stopped at the user's request.
38465
38466
38467 @node List of Supported Calls
38468 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38469 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38470
38471 @menu
38472 * open::
38473 * close::
38474 * read::
38475 * write::
38476 * lseek::
38477 * rename::
38478 * unlink::
38479 * stat/fstat::
38480 * gettimeofday::
38481 * isatty::
38482 * system::
38483 @end menu
38484
38485 @node open
38486 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38487 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38488
38489 @table @asis
38490 @item Synopsis:
38491 @smallexample
38492 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38493 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38494 @end smallexample
38495
38496 @item Request:
38497 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38498
38499 @noindent
38500 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38501
38502 @table @code
38503 @item O_CREAT
38504 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38505 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38506 are concerned.
38507
38508 @item O_EXCL
38509 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38510 an error and open() fails.
38511
38512 @item O_TRUNC
38513 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38514 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38515 truncated to zero length.
38516
38517 @item O_APPEND
38518 The file is opened in append mode.
38519
38520 @item O_RDONLY
38521 The file is opened for reading only.
38522
38523 @item O_WRONLY
38524 The file is opened for writing only.
38525
38526 @item O_RDWR
38527 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38528 @end table
38529
38530 @noindent
38531 Other bits are silently ignored.
38532
38533
38534 @noindent
38535 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38536
38537 @table @code
38538 @item S_IRUSR
38539 User has read permission.
38540
38541 @item S_IWUSR
38542 User has write permission.
38543
38544 @item S_IRGRP
38545 Group has read permission.
38546
38547 @item S_IWGRP
38548 Group has write permission.
38549
38550 @item S_IROTH
38551 Others have read permission.
38552
38553 @item S_IWOTH
38554 Others have write permission.
38555 @end table
38556
38557 @noindent
38558 Other bits are silently ignored.
38559
38560
38561 @item Return value:
38562 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38563 occurred.
38564
38565 @item Errors:
38566
38567 @table @code
38568 @item EEXIST
38569 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38570
38571 @item EISDIR
38572 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38573
38574 @item EACCES
38575 The requested access is not allowed.
38576
38577 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38578 @var{pathname} was too long.
38579
38580 @item ENOENT
38581 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38582
38583 @item ENODEV
38584 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38585
38586 @item EROFS
38587 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38588 write access was requested.
38589
38590 @item EFAULT
38591 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38592
38593 @item ENOSPC
38594 No space on device to create the file.
38595
38596 @item EMFILE
38597 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38598
38599 @item ENFILE
38600 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38601 has been reached.
38602
38603 @item EINTR
38604 The call was interrupted by the user.
38605 @end table
38606
38607 @end table
38608
38609 @node close
38610 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38611 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38612
38613 @table @asis
38614 @item Synopsis:
38615 @smallexample
38616 int close(int fd);
38617 @end smallexample
38618
38619 @item Request:
38620 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38621
38622 @item Return value:
38623 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38624
38625 @item Errors:
38626
38627 @table @code
38628 @item EBADF
38629 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38630
38631 @item EINTR
38632 The call was interrupted by the user.
38633 @end table
38634
38635 @end table
38636
38637 @node read
38638 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38639 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38640
38641 @table @asis
38642 @item Synopsis:
38643 @smallexample
38644 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38645 @end smallexample
38646
38647 @item Request:
38648 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38649
38650 @item Return value:
38651 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38652 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38653 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38654
38655 @item Errors:
38656
38657 @table @code
38658 @item EBADF
38659 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38660 reading.
38661
38662 @item EFAULT
38663 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38664
38665 @item EINTR
38666 The call was interrupted by the user.
38667 @end table
38668
38669 @end table
38670
38671 @node write
38672 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38673 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38674
38675 @table @asis
38676 @item Synopsis:
38677 @smallexample
38678 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38679 @end smallexample
38680
38681 @item Request:
38682 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38683
38684 @item Return value:
38685 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38686 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38687 is returned.
38688
38689 @item Errors:
38690
38691 @table @code
38692 @item EBADF
38693 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38694 writing.
38695
38696 @item EFAULT
38697 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38698
38699 @item EFBIG
38700 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38701 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38702
38703 @item ENOSPC
38704 No space on device to write the data.
38705
38706 @item EINTR
38707 The call was interrupted by the user.
38708 @end table
38709
38710 @end table
38711
38712 @node lseek
38713 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38714 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38715
38716 @table @asis
38717 @item Synopsis:
38718 @smallexample
38719 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38720 @end smallexample
38721
38722 @item Request:
38723 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38724
38725 @var{flag} is one of:
38726
38727 @table @code
38728 @item SEEK_SET
38729 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38730
38731 @item SEEK_CUR
38732 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38733 bytes.
38734
38735 @item SEEK_END
38736 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38737 bytes.
38738 @end table
38739
38740 @item Return value:
38741 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38742 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38743 value of -1 is returned.
38744
38745 @item Errors:
38746
38747 @table @code
38748 @item EBADF
38749 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38750
38751 @item ESPIPE
38752 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38753
38754 @item EINVAL
38755 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38756
38757 @item EINTR
38758 The call was interrupted by the user.
38759 @end table
38760
38761 @end table
38762
38763 @node rename
38764 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38765 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38766
38767 @table @asis
38768 @item Synopsis:
38769 @smallexample
38770 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38771 @end smallexample
38772
38773 @item Request:
38774 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38775
38776 @item Return value:
38777 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38778
38779 @item Errors:
38780
38781 @table @code
38782 @item EISDIR
38783 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38784 directory.
38785
38786 @item EEXIST
38787 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38788
38789 @item EBUSY
38790 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38791 process.
38792
38793 @item EINVAL
38794 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38795 of itself.
38796
38797 @item ENOTDIR
38798 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38799 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38800 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38801
38802 @item EFAULT
38803 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38804
38805 @item EACCES
38806 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38807
38808 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38809
38810 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38811
38812 @item ENOENT
38813 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38814
38815 @item EROFS
38816 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38817
38818 @item ENOSPC
38819 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38820 directory entry.
38821
38822 @item EINTR
38823 The call was interrupted by the user.
38824 @end table
38825
38826 @end table
38827
38828 @node unlink
38829 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38830 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38831
38832 @table @asis
38833 @item Synopsis:
38834 @smallexample
38835 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38836 @end smallexample
38837
38838 @item Request:
38839 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38840
38841 @item Return value:
38842 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38843
38844 @item Errors:
38845
38846 @table @code
38847 @item EACCES
38848 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38849
38850 @item EPERM
38851 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38852
38853 @item EBUSY
38854 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38855 being used by another process.
38856
38857 @item EFAULT
38858 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38859
38860 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38861 @var{pathname} was too long.
38862
38863 @item ENOENT
38864 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38865
38866 @item ENOTDIR
38867 A component of the path is not a directory.
38868
38869 @item EROFS
38870 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38871
38872 @item EINTR
38873 The call was interrupted by the user.
38874 @end table
38875
38876 @end table
38877
38878 @node stat/fstat
38879 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38880 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38881 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38882
38883 @table @asis
38884 @item Synopsis:
38885 @smallexample
38886 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38887 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38888 @end smallexample
38889
38890 @item Request:
38891 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38892 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38893
38894 @item Return value:
38895 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38896
38897 @item Errors:
38898
38899 @table @code
38900 @item EBADF
38901 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38902
38903 @item ENOENT
38904 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38905 path is an empty string.
38906
38907 @item ENOTDIR
38908 A component of the path is not a directory.
38909
38910 @item EFAULT
38911 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38912
38913 @item EACCES
38914 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38915
38916 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38917 @var{pathname} was too long.
38918
38919 @item EINTR
38920 The call was interrupted by the user.
38921 @end table
38922
38923 @end table
38924
38925 @node gettimeofday
38926 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38927 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38928
38929 @table @asis
38930 @item Synopsis:
38931 @smallexample
38932 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38933 @end smallexample
38934
38935 @item Request:
38936 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38937
38938 @item Return value:
38939 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38940
38941 @item Errors:
38942
38943 @table @code
38944 @item EINVAL
38945 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38946
38947 @item EFAULT
38948 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38949 @end table
38950
38951 @end table
38952
38953 @node isatty
38954 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
38955 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
38956
38957 @table @asis
38958 @item Synopsis:
38959 @smallexample
38960 int isatty(int fd);
38961 @end smallexample
38962
38963 @item Request:
38964 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
38965
38966 @item Return value:
38967 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
38968
38969 @item Errors:
38970
38971 @table @code
38972 @item EINTR
38973 The call was interrupted by the user.
38974 @end table
38975
38976 @end table
38977
38978 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
38979 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
38980 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
38981 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
38982 needed.
38983
38984
38985 @node system
38986 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
38987 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
38988
38989 @table @asis
38990 @item Synopsis:
38991 @smallexample
38992 int system(const char *command);
38993 @end smallexample
38994
38995 @item Request:
38996 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
38997
38998 @item Return value:
38999 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39000 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39001 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39002 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39003 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39004 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39005 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39006
39007 @item Errors:
39008
39009 @table @code
39010 @item EINTR
39011 The call was interrupted by the user.
39012 @end table
39013
39014 @end table
39015
39016 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39017 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39018 the host is simplified before it's returned
39019 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39020 is discarded, and the return value consists
39021 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39022
39023 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39024 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39025 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39026
39027 @table @code
39028 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39029 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39030 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39031 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39032
39033 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39034 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39035 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39036 protocol.
39037 @end table
39038
39039 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39040 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39041 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39042
39043 @menu
39044 * Integral Datatypes::
39045 * Pointer Values::
39046 * Memory Transfer::
39047 * struct stat::
39048 * struct timeval::
39049 @end menu
39050
39051 @node Integral Datatypes
39052 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39053 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39054
39055 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39056 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39057 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39058
39059 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39060 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39061
39062 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39063
39064 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39065 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39066
39067 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39068
39069 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39070 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39071 byte order.
39072
39073 @node Pointer Values
39074 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39075 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39076
39077 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39078 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39079 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39080 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39081
39082 @smallexample
39083 @code{1aaf/12}
39084 @end smallexample
39085
39086 @noindent
39087 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39088 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39089 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39090 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39091
39092 @smallexample
39093 @code{123456/d}
39094 @end smallexample
39095
39096 @node Memory Transfer
39097 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39098 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39099
39100 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39101 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39102 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39103 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39104 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39105 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39106 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39107
39108
39109 @node struct stat
39110 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39111 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39112
39113 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39114 is defined as follows:
39115
39116 @smallexample
39117 struct stat @{
39118 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39119 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39120 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39121 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39122 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39123 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39124 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39125 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39126 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39127 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39128 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39129 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39130 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39131 @};
39132 @end smallexample
39133
39134 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39135 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39136 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39137
39138 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39139 range of values.
39140
39141 @table @code
39142
39143 @item st_dev
39144 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39145
39146 @item st_ino
39147 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39148
39149 @item st_mode
39150 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39151 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39152
39153 @item st_uid
39154 @itemx st_gid
39155 @itemx st_rdev
39156 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39157
39158 @item st_atime
39159 @itemx st_mtime
39160 @itemx st_ctime
39161 These values have a host and file system dependent
39162 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39163 support exact timing values.
39164 @end table
39165
39166 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39167 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39168 continuing.
39169
39170 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39171 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39172 get truncated on the target.
39173
39174 @node struct timeval
39175 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39176 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39177
39178 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39179 is defined as follows:
39180
39181 @smallexample
39182 struct timeval @{
39183 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39184 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39185 @};
39186 @end smallexample
39187
39188 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39189 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39190 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39191
39192 @node Constants
39193 @subsection Constants
39194 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39195
39196 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39197 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39198 values before and after the call as needed.
39199
39200 @menu
39201 * Open Flags::
39202 * mode_t Values::
39203 * Errno Values::
39204 * Lseek Flags::
39205 * Limits::
39206 @end menu
39207
39208 @node Open Flags
39209 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39210 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39211
39212 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39213
39214 @smallexample
39215 O_RDONLY 0x0
39216 O_WRONLY 0x1
39217 O_RDWR 0x2
39218 O_APPEND 0x8
39219 O_CREAT 0x200
39220 O_TRUNC 0x400
39221 O_EXCL 0x800
39222 @end smallexample
39223
39224 @node mode_t Values
39225 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39226 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39227
39228 All values are given in octal representation.
39229
39230 @smallexample
39231 S_IFREG 0100000
39232 S_IFDIR 040000
39233 S_IRUSR 0400
39234 S_IWUSR 0200
39235 S_IXUSR 0100
39236 S_IRGRP 040
39237 S_IWGRP 020
39238 S_IXGRP 010
39239 S_IROTH 04
39240 S_IWOTH 02
39241 S_IXOTH 01
39242 @end smallexample
39243
39244 @node Errno Values
39245 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39246 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39247
39248 All values are given in decimal representation.
39249
39250 @smallexample
39251 EPERM 1
39252 ENOENT 2
39253 EINTR 4
39254 EBADF 9
39255 EACCES 13
39256 EFAULT 14
39257 EBUSY 16
39258 EEXIST 17
39259 ENODEV 19
39260 ENOTDIR 20
39261 EISDIR 21
39262 EINVAL 22
39263 ENFILE 23
39264 EMFILE 24
39265 EFBIG 27
39266 ENOSPC 28
39267 ESPIPE 29
39268 EROFS 30
39269 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39270 EUNKNOWN 9999
39271 @end smallexample
39272
39273 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39274 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39275
39276 @node Lseek Flags
39277 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39278 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39279
39280 @smallexample
39281 SEEK_SET 0
39282 SEEK_CUR 1
39283 SEEK_END 2
39284 @end smallexample
39285
39286 @node Limits
39287 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39288 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39289
39290 All values are given in decimal representation.
39291
39292 @smallexample
39293 INT_MIN -2147483648
39294 INT_MAX 2147483647
39295 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39296 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39297 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39298 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39299 @end smallexample
39300
39301 @node File-I/O Examples
39302 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39303 @cindex file-i/o examples
39304
39305 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39306 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39307
39308 @smallexample
39309 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39310 @emph{request memory read from target}
39311 -> @code{m1234,6}
39312 <- XXXXXX
39313 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39314 -> @code{F6}
39315 @end smallexample
39316
39317 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39318 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39319
39320 @smallexample
39321 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39322 @emph{request memory write to target}
39323 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39324 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39325 -> @code{F6}
39326 @end smallexample
39327
39328 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39329 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39330
39331 @smallexample
39332 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39333 -> @code{F-1,9}
39334 @end smallexample
39335
39336 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39337 host is called:
39338
39339 @smallexample
39340 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39341 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
39342 <- @code{T02}
39343 @end smallexample
39344
39345 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39346 host is called:
39347
39348 @smallexample
39349 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39350 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39351 <- @code{T02}
39352 @end smallexample
39353
39354 @node Library List Format
39355 @section Library List Format
39356 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39357
39358 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39359 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39360 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39361 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39362 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39363 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39364 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39365 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39366 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39367 are loaded.
39368
39369 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39370 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39371 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39372 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39373
39374 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39375 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39376 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39377 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39378 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39379 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39380
39381 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39382 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39383
39384 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39385 offset, looks like this:
39386
39387 @smallexample
39388 <library-list>
39389 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39390 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39391 </library>
39392 </library-list>
39393 @end smallexample
39394
39395 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39396 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39397
39398 @smallexample
39399 <library-list>
39400 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39401 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39402 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39403 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39404 </library>
39405 </library-list>
39406 @end smallexample
39407
39408 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39409
39410 @smallexample
39411 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39412 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39413 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39414 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39415 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39416 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39417 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39418 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39419 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39420 @end smallexample
39421
39422 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39423 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39424 section for each library.
39425
39426 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39427 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39428 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39429
39430 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39431 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39432 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39433 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39434
39435 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39436 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39437 target, the following parameters are reported:
39438
39439 @itemize @minus
39440 @item
39441 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39442 @code{struct link_map}.
39443 @item
39444 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39445 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39446 @item
39447 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39448 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39449 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39450 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39451 @item
39452 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39453 @end itemize
39454
39455 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39456 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39457 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39458
39459 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39460 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39461
39462 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39463 looks like this:
39464
39465 @smallexample
39466 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39467 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39468 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
39469 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39470 l_ld="0x152350"/>
39471 </library-list-svr>
39472 @end smallexample
39473
39474 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39475
39476 @smallexample
39477 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39478 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39479 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39480 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39481 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39482 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39483 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39484 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39485 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39486 @end smallexample
39487
39488 @node Memory Map Format
39489 @section Memory Map Format
39490 @cindex memory map format
39491
39492 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39493 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39494 memory map.
39495
39496 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39497 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39498 lists memory regions.
39499
39500 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39501 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39502
39503 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39504
39505 @smallexample
39506 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39507 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39508 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39509 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39510 <memory-map>
39511 region...
39512 </memory-map>
39513 @end smallexample
39514
39515 Each region can be either:
39516
39517 @itemize
39518
39519 @item
39520 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39521 bytes from there:
39522
39523 @smallexample
39524 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39525 @end smallexample
39526
39527
39528 @item
39529 A region of read-only memory:
39530
39531 @smallexample
39532 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39533 @end smallexample
39534
39535
39536 @item
39537 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39538 bytes in length:
39539
39540 @smallexample
39541 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39542 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39543 </memory>
39544 @end smallexample
39545
39546 @end itemize
39547
39548 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39549 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39550 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39551
39552 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39553
39554 @smallexample
39555 <!-- ................................................... -->
39556 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39557 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39558 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39559 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39560 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39561 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39562 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39563 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39564 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39565 and its type, or device. -->
39566 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39567 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39568 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39569 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39570 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39571 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39572 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39573 @end smallexample
39574
39575 @node Thread List Format
39576 @section Thread List Format
39577 @cindex thread list format
39578
39579 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39580 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39581 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39582 the following structure:
39583
39584 @smallexample
39585 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39586 <threads>
39587 <thread id="id" core="0">
39588 ... description ...
39589 </thread>
39590 </threads>
39591 @end smallexample
39592
39593 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39594 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39595 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39596 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
39597 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
39598
39599 @node Traceframe Info Format
39600 @section Traceframe Info Format
39601 @cindex traceframe info format
39602
39603 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39604 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39605 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39606 collected in a traceframe.
39607
39608 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39609 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39610
39611 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39612 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39613
39614 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39615
39616 @smallexample
39617 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39618 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39619 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39620 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39621 <traceframe-info>
39622 block...
39623 </traceframe-info>
39624 @end smallexample
39625
39626 Each traceframe block can be either:
39627
39628 @itemize
39629
39630 @item
39631 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39632 @var{length} bytes from there:
39633
39634 @smallexample
39635 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39636 @end smallexample
39637
39638 @end itemize
39639
39640 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39641
39642 @smallexample
39643 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
39644 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39645
39646 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39647 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39648 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39649 @end smallexample
39650
39651 @include agentexpr.texi
39652
39653 @node Target Descriptions
39654 @appendix Target Descriptions
39655 @cindex target descriptions
39656
39657 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39658 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39659 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39660 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39661 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39662 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39663 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39664
39665 @itemize @bullet
39666 @item
39667 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39668 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39669 @item
39670 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39671 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39672 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39673 @item
39674 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39675 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39676 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39677 @end itemize
39678
39679 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39680 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39681 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39682 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39683 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39684
39685 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39686 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39687
39688 @menu
39689 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39690 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39691 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39692 descriptions.
39693 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39694 @end menu
39695
39696 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39697 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39698
39699 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39700 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39701 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39702 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39703 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39704 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39705 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39706 Format}.
39707
39708 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39709 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39710 specify a file are:
39711
39712 @table @code
39713 @cindex set tdesc filename
39714 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39715 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39716
39717 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39718 @item unset tdesc filename
39719 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39720 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39721
39722 @cindex show tdesc filename
39723 @item show tdesc filename
39724 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39725 @end table
39726
39727
39728 @node Target Description Format
39729 @section Target Description Format
39730 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39731
39732 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39733 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39734 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39735 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39736 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39737 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39738 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39739
39740 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39741 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39742 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39743 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39744 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39745
39746 Here is a simple target description:
39747
39748 @smallexample
39749 <target version="1.0">
39750 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39751 </target>
39752 @end smallexample
39753
39754 @noindent
39755 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39756 the x86-64 architecture.
39757
39758 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39759 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39760 are explained further below.
39761
39762 @smallexample
39763 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39764 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39765 <target version="1.0">
39766 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39767 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39768 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39769 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39770 </target>
39771 @end smallexample
39772
39773 @noindent
39774 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39775 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39776 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39777 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39778 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39779 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39780 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39781 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39782 the version mismatch.
39783
39784 @subsection Inclusion
39785 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39786 @cindex XInclude
39787 @ifnotinfo
39788 @cindex <xi:include>
39789 @end ifnotinfo
39790
39791 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39792 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39793 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39794 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39795 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39796
39797 @smallexample
39798 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39799 @end smallexample
39800
39801 @noindent
39802 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39803 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39804 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39805 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39806 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39807 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39808 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39809 original description.
39810
39811 @subsection Architecture
39812 @cindex <architecture>
39813
39814 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39815
39816 @smallexample
39817 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39818 @end smallexample
39819
39820 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39821 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39822
39823 @subsection OS ABI
39824 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39825
39826 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39827 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39828
39829 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39830
39831 @smallexample
39832 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39833 @end smallexample
39834
39835 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39836 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
39837
39838 @subsection Compatible Architecture
39839 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
39840
39841 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39842 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39843
39844 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
39845
39846 @smallexample
39847 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
39848 @end smallexample
39849
39850 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39851 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39852
39853 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
39854 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
39855 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
39856 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
39857 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
39858 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
39859 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
39860
39861 @smallexample
39862 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
39863 <compatible>spu</compatible>
39864 @end smallexample
39865
39866 @subsection Features
39867 @cindex <feature>
39868
39869 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
39870 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
39871 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
39872 has this form:
39873
39874 @smallexample
39875 <feature name="@var{name}">
39876 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
39877 @var{reg}@dots{}
39878 </feature>
39879 @end smallexample
39880
39881 @noindent
39882 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
39883 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
39884 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
39885 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
39886
39887 @subsection Types
39888
39889 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
39890 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
39891 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
39892 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
39893 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
39894
39895 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
39896 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
39897 Types must be defined before they are used.
39898
39899 @cindex <vector>
39900 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
39901 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
39902 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
39903 @var{count}:
39904
39905 @smallexample
39906 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
39907 @end smallexample
39908
39909 @cindex <union>
39910 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39911 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39912 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39913 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39914
39915 @smallexample
39916 <union id="@var{id}">
39917 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39918 @dots{}
39919 </union>
39920 @end smallexample
39921
39922 @cindex <struct>
39923 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39924 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39925 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39926 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39927 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39928 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39929 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39930 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39931
39932 @smallexample
39933 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39934 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39935 @dots{}
39936 </struct>
39937 @end smallexample
39938
39939 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39940 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39941
39942 @smallexample
39943 <struct id="@var{id}">
39944 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39945 @dots{}
39946 </struct>
39947 @end smallexample
39948
39949 @cindex <flags>
39950 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39951 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39952 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39953 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39954 are supported.
39955
39956 @smallexample
39957 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39958 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39959 @dots{}
39960 </flags>
39961 @end smallexample
39962
39963 @subsection Registers
39964 @cindex <reg>
39965
39966 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39967
39968 @smallexample
39969 <reg name="@var{name}"
39970 bitsize="@var{size}"
39971 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39972 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39973 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39974 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
39975 @end smallexample
39976
39977 @noindent
39978 The components are as follows:
39979
39980 @table @var
39981
39982 @item name
39983 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
39984
39985 @item bitsize
39986 The register's size, in bits.
39987
39988 @item regnum
39989 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
39990 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
39991 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
39992 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
39993 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
39994 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
39995 in order of increasing register number.
39996
39997 @item save-restore
39998 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
39999 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40000 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40001 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40002 ABI.
40003
40004 @item type
40005 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
40006 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40007 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40008 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40009 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40010 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40011
40012 @item group
40013 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
40014 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40015 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40016 in @code{info registers}.
40017
40018 @end table
40019
40020 @node Predefined Target Types
40021 @section Predefined Target Types
40022 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40023
40024 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40025 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40026 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40027 types. The currently supported types are:
40028
40029 @table @code
40030
40031 @item int8
40032 @itemx int16
40033 @itemx int32
40034 @itemx int64
40035 @itemx int128
40036 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40037
40038 @item uint8
40039 @itemx uint16
40040 @itemx uint32
40041 @itemx uint64
40042 @itemx uint128
40043 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40044
40045 @item code_ptr
40046 @itemx data_ptr
40047 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40048 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40049 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40050 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40051 may be marked as data pointers.
40052
40053 @item ieee_single
40054 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40055
40056 @item ieee_double
40057 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40058
40059 @item arm_fpa_ext
40060 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40061
40062 @item i387_ext
40063 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40064
40065 @item i386_eflags
40066 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40067
40068 @item i386_mxcsr
40069 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40070
40071 @end table
40072
40073 @node Standard Target Features
40074 @section Standard Target Features
40075 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40076
40077 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40078 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40079 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40080 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40081 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40082 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40083 can recognize them.
40084
40085 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40086 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40087 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40088 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40089 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40090 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40091 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40092 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40093
40094 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40095 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40096 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40097
40098 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40099 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40100 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40101 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40102
40103 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40104 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40105 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40106
40107 @menu
40108 * ARM Features::
40109 * i386 Features::
40110 * MIPS Features::
40111 * M68K Features::
40112 * PowerPC Features::
40113 * TIC6x Features::
40114 @end menu
40115
40116
40117 @node ARM Features
40118 @subsection ARM Features
40119 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40120
40121 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40122 ARM targets.
40123 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40124 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40125
40126 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40127 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40128 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40129 and @samp{xpsr}.
40130
40131 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40132 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40133
40134 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40135 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40136 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40137 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40138
40139 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40140 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40141 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40142 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40143 halves of the double-precision registers.
40144
40145 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40146 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40147 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40148 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40149 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40150 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40151
40152 @node i386 Features
40153 @subsection i386 Features
40154 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40155
40156 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40157 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40158
40159 @itemize @minus
40160 @item
40161 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40162 @item
40163 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40164 @item
40165 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40166 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40167 @item
40168 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40169 @item
40170 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40171 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40172 @end itemize
40173
40174 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40175
40176 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40177 describe registers:
40178
40179 @itemize @minus
40180 @item
40181 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40182 @item
40183 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40184 @item
40185 @samp{mxcsr}
40186 @end itemize
40187
40188 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40189 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40190 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40191
40192 @itemize @minus
40193 @item
40194 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40195 @item
40196 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40197 @end itemize
40198
40199 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40200 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40201
40202 @node MIPS Features
40203 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40204 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40205
40206 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40207 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40208 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40209 on the target.
40210
40211 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40212 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40213 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40214
40215 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40216 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40217 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40218 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40219
40220 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40221 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40222 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40223 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40224
40225 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40226 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40227 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40228
40229 @node M68K Features
40230 @subsection M68K Features
40231 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40232
40233 @table @code
40234 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40235 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40236 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40237 One of those features must be always present.
40238 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40239 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40240 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40241 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40242
40243 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40244 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40245 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40246 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40247 @end table
40248
40249 @node PowerPC Features
40250 @subsection PowerPC Features
40251 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40252
40253 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40254 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40255 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40256 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40257
40258 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40259 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40260
40261 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40262 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40263 and @samp{vrsave}.
40264
40265 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40266 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40267 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40268 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40269 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40270 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40271
40272 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40273 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40274 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40275 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40276 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40277 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40278 user.
40279
40280 @node TIC6x Features
40281 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40282 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40283 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40284 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40285 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40286 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40287
40288 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40289 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40290 through @samp{B31}.
40291
40292 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40293 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40294
40295 @node Operating System Information
40296 @appendix Operating System Information
40297 @cindex operating system information
40298
40299 @menu
40300 * Process list::
40301 @end menu
40302
40303 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40304 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40305 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40306 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40307 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40308 on a different aspect of target.
40309
40310 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40311 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40312 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40313 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40314
40315 @node Process list
40316 @appendixsection Process list
40317 @cindex operating system information, process list
40318
40319 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40320 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40321 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40322 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40323
40324 An example document is:
40325
40326 @smallexample
40327 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40328 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40329 <osdata type="processes">
40330 <item>
40331 <column name="pid">1</column>
40332 <column name="user">root</column>
40333 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40334 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40335 </item>
40336 </osdata>
40337 @end smallexample
40338
40339 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40340 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40341 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40342 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40343 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40344 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40345 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40346
40347 @node Trace File Format
40348 @appendix Trace File Format
40349 @cindex trace file format
40350
40351 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40352 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40353
40354 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40355 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40356 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40357 in the future.
40358
40359 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40360 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40361 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40362 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40363 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40364 of this section.
40365
40366 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40367
40368 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40369 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40370 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40371 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40372 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40373 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40374 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40375 endianness.
40376
40377 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40378
40379 @table @code
40380 @item R @var{bytes}
40381 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40382 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40383 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40384 hexadecimal encoding.
40385
40386 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40387 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40388 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40389 @var{length} bytes.
40390
40391 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40392 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40393 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40394
40395 @end table
40396
40397 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40398 of blocks.
40399
40400 @node Index Section Format
40401 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40402 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40403 @cindex index section format
40404
40405 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40406 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40407 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40408 description.
40409
40410 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40411 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40412 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40413 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40414 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40415 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40416
40417 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40418
40419 @enumerate
40420 @item
40421 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40422 unless otherwise noted:
40423
40424 @enumerate
40425 @item
40426 The version number, currently 7. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40427 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40428 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40429 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40430 symbol table. @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40431 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40432
40433 @item
40434 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40435
40436 @item
40437 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40438 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40439 to the next offset.
40440
40441 @item
40442 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40443
40444 @item
40445 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40446
40447 @item
40448 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40449 @end enumerate
40450
40451 @item
40452 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40453 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40454 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40455 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40456 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40457 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40458 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40459 CU indices.
40460
40461 @item
40462 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40463 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40464 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40465 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40466
40467 @item
40468 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40469 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40470
40471 @enumerate
40472 @item
40473 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40474
40475 @item
40476 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40477 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40478
40479 @item
40480 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40481 @end enumerate
40482
40483 @item
40484 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40485 the hash table is always a power of 2.
40486
40487 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
40488 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
40489 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
40490 constant pool.
40491
40492 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
40493 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
40494 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
40495
40496 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
40497 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
40498 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
40499 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
40500 index version:
40501
40502 @table @asis
40503 @item Version 4
40504 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
40505
40506 @item Versions 5 to 7
40507 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
40508 @end table
40509
40510 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
40511
40512 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
40513 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
40514 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
40515 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
40516 collision.
40517
40518 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
40519 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
40520 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40521 the code.
40522
40523 @item
40524 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40525 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40526 strings.
40527
40528 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40529 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40530 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40531 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40532 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40533 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40534
40535 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40536 @end enumerate
40537
40538 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40539 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40540 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40541
40542 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40543 (bit 0 = LSB):
40544
40545 @table @asis
40546
40547 @item Bits 0-23
40548 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40549 @item Bits 24-27
40550 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40551 @item Bits 28-30
40552 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40553
40554 @table @asis
40555 @item 0
40556 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40557 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40558 with previous versions of the index.
40559 @item 1
40560 The symbol is a type.
40561 @item 2
40562 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40563 @item 3
40564 The symbol is a function.
40565 @item 4
40566 Any other kind of symbol.
40567 @item 5,6,7
40568 These values are reserved.
40569 @end table
40570
40571 @item Bit 31
40572 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40573
40574 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40575 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40576 @value{GDBN} sources.
40577
40578 @end table
40579
40580 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40581 global/static attributes in the index.
40582
40583 @smallexample
40584 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40585 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40586 switch (die->tag)
40587 @{
40588 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40589 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40590 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40591 kind = TYPE;
40592 is_static = 1;
40593 break;
40594 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40595 kind = VARIABLE;
40596 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40597 break;
40598 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40599 kind = FUNCTION;
40600 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40601 break;
40602 case DW_TAG_constant:
40603 kind = VARIABLE;
40604 is_static = ! is_external;
40605 break;
40606 case DW_TAG_variable:
40607 kind = VARIABLE;
40608 is_static = ! is_external;
40609 break;
40610 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40611 kind = TYPE;
40612 is_static = 0;
40613 break;
40614 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40615 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40616 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40617 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40618 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40619 kind = TYPE;
40620 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40621 break;
40622 default:
40623 assert (0);
40624 @}
40625 @end smallexample
40626
40627 @include gpl.texi
40628
40629 @node GNU Free Documentation License
40630 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40631 @include fdl.texi
40632
40633 @node Concept Index
40634 @unnumbered Concept Index
40635
40636 @printindex cp
40637
40638 @node Command and Variable Index
40639 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40640
40641 @printindex fn
40642
40643 @tex
40644 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40645 % meantime:
40646 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40647 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40648 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40649 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40650 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40651 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40652 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40653 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40654 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40655 \page\colophon
40656 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
40657 @end tex
40658
40659 @bye
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