Document set/show debug aix-solib.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 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 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 @end direntry
49
50 @copying
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64 @c man end
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) 1988-2013 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 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193 @end menu
194
195 @end ifnottex
196
197 @contents
198
199 @node Summary
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209 @itemize @bullet
210 @item
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213 @item
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216 @item
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219 @item
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222 @end itemize
223
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229 @ref{D,,D}.
230
231 @cindex Modula-2
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238 @cindex Pascal
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242 syntax.
243
244 @cindex Fortran
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247 underscore.
248
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252 @menu
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256 @end menu
257
258 @node Free Software
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272 from anyone else.
273
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284 gaps today.
285
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
291
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
297
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317 community.
318
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327 of the manual.
328
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
334
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
341
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365 @node Contributors
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
375
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378 @quotation
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382 @end quotation
383
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 releases:
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 support.
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438 libraries.
439
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
442
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
450
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456 symbols.
457
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464 processors.
465
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473 watchpoints.
474
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513 Hat.
514
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533 Weigand.
534
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543 @node Sample Session
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550 @iftex
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553 @end iftex
554
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568 @smallexample
569 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570 $ @b{./m4}
571 @b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573 @b{foo}
574 0000
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577 @b{bar}
578 0000
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582 @b{baz}
583 @b{Ctrl-d}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590 @smallexample
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601 (@value{GDBP})
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633 @b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635 @b{foo}
636 0000
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
643
644 @smallexample
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668 @smallexample
669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673 @end smallexample
674
675 @noindent
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683 @smallexample
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694 @end smallexample
695
696 @noindent
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720 @smallexample
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725 @end smallexample
726
727 @noindent
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734 533 xfree(rquote);
735 534
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740 537
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743 540 @}
744 541
745 542 void
746 @end smallexample
747
748 @noindent
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756 540 @}
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 $3 = 9
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760 $4 = 7
761 @end smallexample
762
763 @noindent
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769 assignments.
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 $5 = 7
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775 $6 = 9
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786 Continuing.
787
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790 baz
791 0000
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799 @smallexample
800 @b{Ctrl-d}
801 Program exited normally.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811 @end smallexample
812
813 @node Invocation
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817 The essentials are:
818 @itemize @bullet
819 @item
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 @item
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823 @end itemize
824
825 @menu
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830 @end menu
831
832 @node Invoking GDB
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
847
848 @smallexample
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
850 @end smallexample
851
852 @noindent
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854 specified:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858 @end smallexample
859
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
862
863 @smallexample
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865 @end smallexample
866
867 @noindent
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879 option processing.
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 @end smallexample
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889 @smallexample
890 @value{GDBP} -silent
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897 @noindent
898 Type
899
900 @smallexample
901 @value{GDBP} -help
902 @end smallexample
903
904 @noindent
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913 @menu
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917 @end menu
918
919 @node File Options
920 @subsection Choosing Files
921
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
939
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948 @c it.
949
950 @table @code
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @itemx -s @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 @cindex @code{-s}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @itemx -e @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 @cindex @code{-e}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964 @item -se @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--se}
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967 file.
968
969 @item -core @var{file}
970 @itemx -c @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
972 @cindex @code{-c}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
977 @cindex @code{--pid}
978 @cindex @code{-p}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981 @item -command @var{file}
982 @itemx -x @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
984 @cindex @code{-x}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 @cindex @code{-ex}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998 @smallexample
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001 @end smallexample
1002
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 @cindex @code{-ix}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1009 @xref{Startup}.
1010
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 @cindex @code{-iex}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1017 @xref{Startup}.
1018
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 @cindex @code{-d}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025 @item -r
1026 @itemx -readnow
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 @cindex @code{-r}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033 @end table
1034
1035 @node Mode Options
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @anchor{-nx}
1043 @item -nx
1044 @itemx -n
1045 @cindex @code{--nx}
1046 @cindex @code{-n}
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050 @table @code
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066 @end table
1067
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072 @anchor{-nh}
1073 @item -nh
1074 @cindex @code{--nh}
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1077 @xref{Startup}.
1078
1079 @item -quiet
1080 @itemx -silent
1081 @itemx -q
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1084 @cindex @code{-q}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088 @item -batch
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1101
1102 @smallexample
1103 Program exited normally.
1104 @end smallexample
1105
1106 @noindent
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109 mode.
1110
1111 @item -batch-silent
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1117
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1120
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129 @itemize @bullet
1130 @item
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134 @item
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136 @item
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1139 @end itemize
1140
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143 interface.
1144
1145 @item -nowindows
1146 @itemx -nw
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148 @cindex @code{-nw}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153 @item -windows
1154 @itemx -w
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1156 @cindex @code{-w}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158 used if possible.
1159
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1161 @cindex @code{--cd}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1164
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171 @item -fullname
1172 @itemx -f
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1174 @cindex @code{-f}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183 frame.
1184
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199 @item --args
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1204
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1206 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1208 @cindex @code{-b}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1213 @cindex @code{-l}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1216
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1220 @cindex @code{-t}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225 @item -tui
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234 @c @item -xdb
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239 @c systems.
1240
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255 @item -write
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259 (@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261 @item -statistics
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266 @item -version
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277 @end table
1278
1279 @node Startup
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285 @enumerate
1286 @item
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290 @item
1291 @cindex init file
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295 that file.
1296
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298 @item
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302 that file.
1303
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305 @item
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310 gets loaded.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316 @item
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324 @value{GDBN}.
1325
1326 @item
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1334
1335 @smallexample
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337 @end smallexample
1338
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340 off too late.
1341
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347 @item
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351 @end enumerate
1352
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374 @node Quitting GDB
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379 @table @code
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383 @itemx q
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388 error code.
1389 @end table
1390
1391 @cindex interrupt
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1404
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409 @table @code
1410 @kindex shell
1411 @kindex !
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420 @end table
1421
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424 @value{GDBN}:
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex make
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432 @end table
1433
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442 @table @code
1443 @kindex set logging
1444 @item set logging on
1445 Enable logging.
1446 @item set logging off
1447 Disable logging.
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1458 @item show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460 @end table
1461
1462 @node Commands
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471 @menu
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475 @end menu
1476
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1479
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516 @cindex comment
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526 for editing.
1527
1528 @node Completion
1529 @section Command Completion
1530
1531 @cindex completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 @noindent
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557 @end smallexample
1558
1559 @noindent
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575 example:
1576
1577 @smallexample
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588 @noindent
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591 command.
1592
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619 @smallexample
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623 @end smallexample
1624
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628 place:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634 @end smallexample
1635
1636 @noindent
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655 left-hand-side:
1656
1657 @smallexample
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662 to_flush to_read
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668 follows:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 struct ui_file
1672 @{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684 @}
1685 @end smallexample
1686
1687
1688 @node Help
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1691 @kindex help
1692
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696 @table @code
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698 @item help
1699 @itemx h
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703 @smallexample
1704 (@value{GDBP}) help
1705 List of classes of commands:
1706
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724 documentation.
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726 (@value{GDBP})
1727 @end smallexample
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735 @smallexample
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1737 Status inquiries.
1738
1739 List of commands:
1740
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749 documentation.
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751 (@value{GDBP})
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758 @kindex apropos
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 apropos alias
1766 @end smallexample
1767
1768 @noindent
1769 results in:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 @c @group
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778 @c @end group
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @kindex complete
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787 @smallexample
1788 complete i
1789 @end smallexample
1790
1791 @noindent results in:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 @group
1795 if
1796 ignore
1797 info
1798 inspect
1799 @end group
1800 @end smallexample
1801
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803 @end table
1804
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811 Index}.
1812
1813 @c @group
1814 @table @code
1815 @kindex info
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817 @item info
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825 @kindex set
1826 @item set
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831 @kindex show
1832 @item show
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840 @kindex info set
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847 @end table
1848 @c @end group
1849
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856 @item show version
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865 @value{GDBN}.
1866
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870 @item show copying
1871 @itemx info copying
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1876 @item show warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888 your report.
1889
1890 @end table
1891
1892 @node Running
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1902
1903 @menu
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918 @end menu
1919
1920 @node Compilation
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930 the compiler.
1931
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964 @need 2000
1965 @node Starting
1966 @section Starting your Program
1967 @cindex starting
1968 @cindex running
1969
1970 @table @code
1971 @kindex run
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973 @item run
1974 @itemx r
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981 @end table
1982
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1989
1990 @smallexample
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2005
2006 @table @asis
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012 the arguments.
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035 @cindex pipes
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039 wrong program.
2040 @end table
2041
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2052
2053 @table @code
2054 @kindex start
2055 @item start
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108 environment:
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112 (@value{GDBP}) run
2113 @end smallexample
2114
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129 @smallexample
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131 @end smallexample
2132
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @node Arguments
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176 @code{run} command.
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191 @table @code
2192 @kindex set args
2193 @item set args
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2199
2200 @kindex show args
2201 @item show args
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203 @end table
2204
2205 @node Environment
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217 @table @code
2218 @kindex path
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237 @kindex show paths
2238 @item show paths
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2241
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256 null value.
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260 For example, this command:
2261
2262 @smallexample
2263 set env USER = foo
2264 @end smallexample
2265
2266 @noindent
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2270
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280 the shell indicated
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287 @file{.profile}.
2288
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301 Specify Files}.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @kindex cd
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310 @kindex pwd
2311 @item pwd
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322 @node Input/Output
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325 @cindex redirection
2326 @cindex i/o
2327 @cindex terminal
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex info terminal
2336 @item info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338 program is using.
2339 @end table
2340
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344 @smallexample
2345 run > outfile
2346 @end smallexample
2347
2348 @noindent
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351 @kindex tty
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 tty /dev/ttyb
2361 @end smallexample
2362
2363 @noindent
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370 terminal.
2371
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381 program.
2382
2383 @table @code
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391 @end table
2392
2393 @node Attach
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395 @kindex attach
2396 @cindex attach
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2408 @end table
2409
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420 Specify Files}.
2421
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430 @table @code
2431 @kindex detach
2432 @item detach
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2440 @end table
2441
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447 Messages}).
2448
2449 @node Kill Process
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex kill
2454 @item kill
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456 @end table
2457
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460 is running.
2461
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2466
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2473
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2483
2484 @cindex inferior
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2495
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497 inferiors}}:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506 @enumerate
2507 @item
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510 @item
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513 @item
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516 @end enumerate
2517
2518 @noindent
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522 For example,
2523 @end table
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526 @smallexample
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531 @end smallexample
2532
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541 @end table
2542
2543
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551 @table @code
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567 @smallexample
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572 Added inferior 2.
2573 1 inferiors added.
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578 @end smallexample
2579
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588 @end table
2589
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595 @table @code
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609 @end table
2610
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620 @table @code
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635 @end table
2636
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651 @value{GDBN}.
2652
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655 @enumerate
2656 @item
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659 @item
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2662
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @noindent
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2668
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673 @smallexample
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678 * 1 hello
2679 @end smallexample
2680
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690 * 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692 @end smallexample
2693
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696 @end table
2697
2698 @node Threads
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713 programs:
2714
2715 @itemize @bullet
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2727 @end itemize
2728
2729 @quotation
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735 like this:
2736
2737 @smallexample
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742 @end smallexample
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2745 @end quotation
2746
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766 @smallexample
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768 @end smallexample
2769
2770 @noindent
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773 further qualifier.
2774
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778 @c program?
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2782
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788 @table @code
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796 @enumerate
2797 @item
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800 @item
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803 @item
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806 program itself.
2807
2808 @item
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810 @end enumerate
2811
2812 @noindent
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2815
2816 For example,
2817 @end table
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820 @smallexample
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832 @table @code
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837 @end table
2838
2839 @table @code
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848 @smallexample
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2853 @end smallexample
2854
2855 @noindent
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858 threads.
2859
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2866
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878 @kindex thread name
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891 @kindex thread find
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900 is the LWP id.
2901
2902 @smallexample
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908 @end smallexample
2909
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935 @table @code
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944 macro.
2945
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2973
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985 @end table
2986
2987 @node Forks
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2989
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030 @table @code
3031 @item parent
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035 @item child
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037 unimpeded.
3038
3039 @end table
3040
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044 @end table
3045
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050 @table @code
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056 @table @code
3057 @item on
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3061
3062 @item off
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066 is held suspended.
3067
3068 @end table
3069
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073 @end table
3074
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086 and Programs}.
3087
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103 command.
3104
3105 @table @code
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @item new
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119 original inferior.
3120
3121 For example:
3122
3123 @smallexample
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125 (gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127 * 1 <null> prog1
3128 (@value{GDBP}) run
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133 * 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135 @end smallexample
3136
3137 @item same
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144 For example:
3145
3146 @smallexample
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149 * 1 <null> prog1
3150 (@value{GDBP}) run
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155 * 1 <null> prog2
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 @end table
3159 @end table
3160
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168 @cindex checkpoint
3169 @cindex restart
3170 @cindex bookmark
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3173
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177 later.
3178
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3191
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197 @table @code
3198 @kindex checkpoint
3199 @item checkpoint
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208 listed:
3209
3210 @table @code
3211 @item Checkpoint ID
3212 @item Process ID
3213 @item Code Address
3214 @item Source line, or label
3215 @end table
3216
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228 the debugger.
3229
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234 @end table
3235
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3255
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271 next.
3272
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279 @node Stopping
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294 @table @code
3295 @kindex info program
3296 @item info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299 @end table
3300
3301 @menu
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306 * Signals:: Signals
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308 @end menu
3309
3310 @node Breakpoints
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313 @cindex breakpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320 program.
3321
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327 call).
3328
3329 @cindex watchpoints
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342 same commands.
3343
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346 Automatic Display}.
3347
3348 @cindex catchpoints
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366 enable it again.
3367
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376 @menu
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389 @end menu
3390
3391 @node Set Breaks
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396 @c
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399 @kindex break
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3408
3409 @table @code
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420 that situation.
3421
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426 @item break
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436 inside loops.
3437
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452 @kindex tbreak
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459 @kindex hbreak
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481 @kindex thbreak
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492 @kindex rbreak
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514 classes.
3515
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522 @end smallexample
3523
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3529
3530 @smallexample
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532 @end smallexample
3533
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546 @table @emph
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3548 @item Type
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550 @item Disposition
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3555 @item Address
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562 @item What
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567 @end table
3568
3569 @noindent
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582 @noindent
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601 @end table
3602
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613 @itemize @bullet
3614 @item
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617 @item
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621 @item
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625 @item
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3628 @end itemize
3629
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3632
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641 For example:
3642
3643 @smallexample
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3674
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3694
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3697 @table @code
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713 @end table
3714
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726 breakpoints.
3727
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732 @table @code
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742 @end table
3743
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756 @table @code
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775 @end table
3776
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788 @table @code
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815 @end table
3816
3817
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838 @itemize @bullet
3839 @item
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842 @item
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847 @item
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851 @end itemize
3852
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3862
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870 culprit.)
3871
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876 @table @code
3877 @kindex watch
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884 @smallexample
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886 @end smallexample
3887
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902 error.
3903
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914 Examples:
3915
3916 @smallexample
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919 @end smallexample
3920
3921 @kindex rwatch
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924 by the program.
3925
3926 @kindex awatch
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3930
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935 @end table
3936
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3941
3942 @smallexample
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973 @end table
3974
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981 @smallexample
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983 @end smallexample
3984
3985 @noindent
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3995
3996 @smallexample
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016 @smallexample
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018 @end smallexample
4019
4020 @noindent
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047 @quotation
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057 @end quotation
4058
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4066
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071 @table @code
4072 @kindex catch
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075
4076 @table @code
4077 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084 regular expression will be caught.
4085
4086 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089 exception being thrown.
4090
4091 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4092 @value{GDBN}:
4093
4094 @itemize @bullet
4095 @item
4096 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4098 supported.
4099
4100 @item
4101 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4106 built.
4107
4108 @item
4109 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4111
4112 @item
4113 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4117
4118 @item
4119 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4128
4129 @item
4130 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4131
4132 @item
4133 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4134 @end itemize
4135
4136 @item exception
4137 @cindex Ada exception catching
4138 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4143
4144 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4152
4153 @item exception unhandled
4154 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4155
4156 @item assert
4157 A failed Ada assertion.
4158
4159 @item exec
4160 @cindex break on fork/exec
4161 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4162 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4163
4164 @item syscall
4165 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166 @cindex break on a system call.
4167 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4173 will be caught.
4174
4175 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4179
4180 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4184
4185 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4188 available choices.
4189
4190 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197 behind the OS upgrades).
4198
4199 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4200 arguments to it:
4201
4202 @smallexample
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4205 (@value{GDBP}) r
4206 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4207
4208 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4210 (@value{GDBP}) c
4211 Continuing.
4212
4213 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4215 (@value{GDBP})
4216 @end smallexample
4217
4218 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4219
4220 @smallexample
4221 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4223 (@value{GDBP}) r
4224 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4225
4226 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4228 (@value{GDBP}) c
4229 Continuing.
4230
4231 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4233 (@value{GDBP})
4234 @end smallexample
4235
4236 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4239
4240 @smallexample
4241 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4243 (@value{GDBP}) r
4244 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4245
4246 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4248 (@value{GDBP}) c
4249 Continuing.
4250
4251 Program exited normally.
4252 (@value{GDBP})
4253 @end smallexample
4254
4255 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4259
4260 @smallexample
4261 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4264 (@value{GDBP})
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4273
4274 @smallexample
4275 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4280 (@value{GDBP})
4281 @end smallexample
4282
4283 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4284
4285 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4287
4288 @smallexample
4289 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4291 @end smallexample
4292
4293 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4294
4295 @item fork
4296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4297 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4298
4299 @item vfork
4300 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4301 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4302
4303 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307 matches one of the affected libraries.
4308
4309 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310 The delivery of a signal.
4311
4312 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4315
4316 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4318 signal names.
4319
4320 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4322 will be caught.
4323
4324 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4326 catchpoint.
4327
4328 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4332 commands.
4333
4334 @end table
4335
4336 @item tcatch @var{event}
4337 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4339
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4343
4344
4345 @node Delete Breaks
4346 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4347
4348 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4354
4355 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358 their breakpoint numbers.
4359
4360 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4363
4364 @table @code
4365 @kindex clear
4366 @item clear
4367 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4371
4372 @item clear @var{location}
4373 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375 most useful ones are listed below:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @item clear @var{function}
4379 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4381
4382 @item clear @var{linenum}
4383 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4386 @end table
4387
4388 @cindex delete breakpoints
4389 @kindex delete
4390 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4396 @end table
4397
4398 @node Disabling
4399 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4400
4401 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4406
4407 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411 do not know which numbers to use.
4412
4413 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414 affects all of its locations.
4415
4416 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417 different states of enablement:
4418
4419 @itemize @bullet
4420 @item
4421 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4423 @item
4424 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4425 @item
4426 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4427 disabled.
4428 @item
4429 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430 N times, then becomes disabled.
4431 @item
4432 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4435 @end itemize
4436
4437 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4439
4440 @table @code
4441 @kindex disable
4442 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4449
4450 @kindex enable
4451 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4454
4455 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4458
4459 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4466
4467 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4471 @end table
4472
4473 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4481 Stepping}.)
4482
4483 @node Conditions
4484 @subsection Break Conditions
4485 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4486 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4487
4488 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4496
4497 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4502
4503 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4507 one.
4508
4509 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4517 conditions for the
4518 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4520
4521 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4527
4528 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4533
4534 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537 with the @code{condition} command.
4538
4539 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4542 catchpoint.
4543
4544 @table @code
4545 @kindex condition
4546 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555 prints an error message:
4556
4557 @smallexample
4558 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4559 @end smallexample
4560
4561 @noindent
4562 @value{GDBN} does
4563 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4566
4567 @item condition @var{bnum}
4568 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4570 @end table
4571
4572 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582 your program reaches it.
4583
4584 @table @code
4585 @kindex ignore
4586 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4590 takes no action.
4591
4592 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4593 a count of zero.
4594
4595 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4599
4600 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4603
4604 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4607 Variables}.
4608 @end table
4609
4610 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4611
4612
4613 @node Break Commands
4614 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4615
4616 @cindex breakpoint commands
4617 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620 enable other breakpoints.
4621
4622 @table @code
4623 @kindex commands
4624 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4627 @itemx end
4628 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4631
4632 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4634
4635 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4642 Expressions}).
4643 @end table
4644
4645 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4647
4648 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650 that resumes execution.
4651
4652 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4657
4658 @kindex silent
4659 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4665
4666 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4669
4670 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4672
4673 @smallexample
4674 break foo if x>0
4675 commands
4676 silent
4677 printf "x is %d\n",x
4678 cont
4679 end
4680 @end smallexample
4681
4682 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4689
4690 @smallexample
4691 break 403
4692 commands
4693 silent
4694 set x = y + 4
4695 cont
4696 end
4697 @end smallexample
4698
4699 @node Dynamic Printf
4700 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4701
4702 @cindex dynamic printf
4703 @cindex dprintf
4704 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707 having to recompile it.
4708
4709 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714 redirects to files and so forth.
4715
4716 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4723
4724 @table @code
4725 @kindex dprintf
4726 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4730
4731 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4737
4738 @item gdb
4739 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4741
4742 @item call
4743 @kindex dprintf-style call
4744 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4745 @code{printf}).
4746
4747 @item agent
4748 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4749 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751 support running commands on the target.
4752
4753 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4757 command.
4758
4759 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4765
4766 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768 you could do the following:
4769
4770 @example
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4776 (gdb) info break
4777 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4779 continue
4780 (gdb)
4781 @end example
4782
4783 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785 the variable settings.
4786
4787 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4793
4794 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4797
4798 @end table
4799
4800 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4806
4807 @node Save Breakpoints
4808 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4809
4810 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811 breakpoints}} command.
4812
4813 @table @code
4814 @kindex save breakpoints
4815 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829 that can no longer be recreated.
4830 @end table
4831
4832 @node Static Probe Points
4833 @subsection Static Probe Points
4834
4835 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4842
4843 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847 in your applications.
4848
4849 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4857
4858 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859 probes}, with optional arguments:
4860
4861 @table @code
4862 @kindex info probes
4863 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866 probes from all providers are listed.
4867
4868 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4871
4872 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874 given, all object files are considered.
4875
4876 @item info probes all
4877 List the available static probes, from all types.
4878 @end table
4879
4880 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888 at the current probe point.
4889
4890 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4892 an error message.
4893
4894
4895 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896 @node Error in Breakpoints
4897 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4898
4899 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4901
4902 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4904 @smallexample
4905 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4907 @end smallexample
4908
4909 @noindent
4910 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4913
4914 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4916
4917 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4920
4921 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4925
4926 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932 first in the bundle.
4933
4934 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4940 is hit.
4941
4942 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4944
4945 @smallexample
4946 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4947 @end smallexample
4948
4949 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4957
4958 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959 adjusted breakpoints:
4960
4961 @smallexample
4962 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4963 to 0x00010410.
4964 @end smallexample
4965
4966 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968 frequently than expected.
4969
4970 @node Continuing and Stepping
4971 @section Continuing and Stepping
4972
4973 @cindex stepping
4974 @cindex continuing
4975 @cindex resuming execution
4976 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4984
4985 @table @code
4986 @kindex continue
4987 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4997
4998 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000 @code{continue} is ignored.
5001
5002 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5005 @code{continue}.
5006 @end table
5007
5008 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5012
5013 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5019
5020 @table @code
5021 @kindex step
5022 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5023 @item step
5024 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026 abbreviated @code{s}.
5027
5028 @quotation
5029 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032 @c distinction here.
5033 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5039 below.
5040 @end quotation
5041
5042 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047 called within the line.
5048
5049 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053 was any debugging information about the routine.
5054
5055 @item step @var{count}
5056 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5059
5060 @kindex next
5061 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5069
5070 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5071
5072
5073 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5075 @c
5076 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078 @c function are executed without stopping.
5079
5080 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5083
5084 @kindex set step-mode
5085 @item set step-mode
5086 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088 @itemx set step-mode on
5089 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091 information rather than stepping over it.
5092
5093 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5096
5097 @item set step-mode off
5098 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099 debug information. This is the default.
5100
5101 @item show step-mode
5102 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103 source line debug information.
5104
5105 @kindex finish
5106 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5107 @item finish
5108 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5111
5112 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113 ,Returning from a Function}).
5114
5115 @kindex until
5116 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117 @cindex run until specified location
5118 @item until
5119 @itemx u
5120 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125 than the address of the jump.
5126
5127 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131 through the next iteration.
5132
5133 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5134 stack frame.
5135
5136 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5141
5142 @smallexample
5143 (@value{GDBP}) f
5144 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5145 206 expand_input();
5146 (@value{GDBP}) until
5147 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5148 @end smallexample
5149
5150 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5157
5158 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5160 argument.
5161
5162 @item until @var{location}
5163 @itemx u @var{location}
5164 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174 invocations have returned.
5175
5176 @smallexample
5177 94 int factorial (int value)
5178 95 @{
5179 96 if (value > 1) @{
5180 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5181 98 @}
5182 99 return (value);
5183 100 @}
5184 @end smallexample
5185
5186
5187 @kindex advance @var{location}
5188 @item advance @var{location}
5189 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191 @ref{Specify Location}.
5192 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5196
5197
5198 @kindex stepi
5199 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5200 @item stepi
5201 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5202 @itemx si
5203 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5204
5205 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5209
5210 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5211
5212 @need 750
5213 @kindex nexti
5214 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5215 @item nexti
5216 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5217 @itemx ni
5218 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219 proceed until the function returns.
5220
5221 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5222 @end table
5223
5224 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5225 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5226 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5227
5228 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5229 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5230 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5231
5232 For example, consider the following C function:
5233
5234 @smallexample
5235 101 int func()
5236 102 @{
5237 103 foo(boring());
5238 104 bar(boring());
5239 105 @}
5240 @end smallexample
5241
5242 @noindent
5243 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5244 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5245 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5246 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5247
5248 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5249 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5250 is called from many places.
5251
5252 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5253 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5254 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5255 @code{foo}.
5256
5257 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5258 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5259
5260 @table @code
5261 @kindex skip function
5262 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5263 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5264 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5265 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5266 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5267
5268 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5269 will be skipped.
5270
5271 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5272 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5273
5274 @kindex skip file
5275 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5276 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5277 will be skipped over when stepping.
5278
5279 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5280 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5281 @end table
5282
5283 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5284 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5285
5286 @table @code
5287 @kindex info skip
5288 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5289 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5290 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5291 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5292
5293 @table @emph
5294 @item Identifier
5295 A number identifying this skip.
5296 @item Type
5297 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5298 @item Enabled or Disabled
5299 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5300 @item Address
5301 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5302 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5303 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5304 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5305 address here.
5306 @item What
5307 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5308 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5309 where it is defined.
5310 @end table
5311
5312 @kindex skip delete
5313 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5314 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5315 skips.
5316
5317 @kindex skip enable
5318 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5319 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5320 skips.
5321
5322 @kindex skip disable
5323 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5324 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5325 skips.
5326
5327 @end table
5328
5329 @node Signals
5330 @section Signals
5331 @cindex signals
5332
5333 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5334 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5335 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5336 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5337 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5338 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5339 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5340 requested an alarm).
5341
5342 @cindex fatal signals
5343 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5344 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5345 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5346 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5347 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5348 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5349
5350 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5351 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5352 signal.
5353
5354 @cindex handling signals
5355 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5356 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5357 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5358 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5359 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5360
5361 @table @code
5362 @kindex info signals
5363 @kindex info handle
5364 @item info signals
5365 @itemx info handle
5366 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5367 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5368 the defined types of signals.
5369
5370 @item info signals @var{sig}
5371 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5372
5373 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5374
5375 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5376 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5377 for details about this command.
5378
5379 @kindex handle
5380 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5381 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5382 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5383 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5384 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5385 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5386 say what change to make.
5387 @end table
5388
5389 @c @group
5390 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5391 Their full names are:
5392
5393 @table @code
5394 @item nostop
5395 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5396 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5397
5398 @item stop
5399 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5400 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5401
5402 @item print
5403 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5404
5405 @item noprint
5406 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5407 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5408
5409 @item pass
5410 @itemx noignore
5411 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5412 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5413 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5414
5415 @item nopass
5416 @itemx ignore
5417 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5418 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5419 @end table
5420 @c @end group
5421
5422 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5423 program until you
5424 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5425 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5426 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5427 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5428 program sees that signal when you continue.
5429
5430 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5431 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5432 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5433 erroneous signals.
5434
5435 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5436 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5437 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5438 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5439 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5440 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5441 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5442 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5443 Program a Signal}.
5444
5445 @cindex extra signal information
5446 @anchor{extra signal information}
5447
5448 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5449 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5450 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5451 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5452 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5453 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5454 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5455 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5456 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5457 system header.
5458
5459 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5460 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5461
5462 @smallexample
5463 @group
5464 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5465 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5466 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5467 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5468 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5469 type = struct @{
5470 int si_signo;
5471 int si_errno;
5472 int si_code;
5473 union @{
5474 int _pad[28];
5475 struct @{...@} _kill;
5476 struct @{...@} _timer;
5477 struct @{...@} _rt;
5478 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5479 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5480 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5481 @} _sifields;
5482 @}
5483 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5484 type = struct @{
5485 void *si_addr;
5486 @}
5487 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5488 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5489 @end group
5490 @end smallexample
5491
5492 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5493
5494 @node Thread Stops
5495 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5496
5497 @cindex stopped threads
5498 @cindex threads, stopped
5499
5500 @cindex continuing threads
5501 @cindex threads, continuing
5502
5503 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5504 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5505 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5506 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5507 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5508 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5509 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5510 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5511 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5512
5513 @menu
5514 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5515 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5516 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5517 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5518 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5519 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5520 @end menu
5521
5522 @node All-Stop Mode
5523 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5524
5525 @cindex all-stop mode
5526
5527 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5528 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5529 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5530 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5531 underfoot.
5532
5533 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5534 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5535 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5536
5537 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5538 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5539 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5540 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5541 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5542 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5543 stops.
5544
5545 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5546 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5547 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5548 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5549
5550 @cindex automatic thread selection
5551 @cindex switching threads automatically
5552 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5553 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5554 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5555 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5556 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5557 thread.
5558
5559 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5560 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5561
5562 @table @code
5563 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5564 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5565 @cindex lock scheduler
5566 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5567 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5568 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5569 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5570 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5571 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5572 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5573 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5574 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5575 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5576 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5577 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5578
5579 @item show scheduler-locking
5580 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5581 @end table
5582
5583 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5584 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5585 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5586 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5587 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5588 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5589 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5590 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5591 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5592 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5593 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5594 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5595 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5596 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5597
5598 @table @code
5599 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5600 @item set schedule-multiple
5601 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5602 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5603 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5604 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5605 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5606 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5607
5608 @item show schedule-multiple
5609 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5610 multiple processes.
5611 @end table
5612
5613 @node Non-Stop Mode
5614 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5615
5616 @cindex non-stop mode
5617
5618 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5619 @c with more details.
5620
5621 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5622 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5623 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5624 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5625 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5626 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5627
5628 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5629 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5630 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5631 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5632 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5633 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5634 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5635 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5636 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5637 independently and simultaneously.
5638
5639 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5640 or attach to your program:
5641
5642 @smallexample
5643 # Enable the async interface.
5644 set target-async 1
5645
5646 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5647 set pagination off
5648
5649 # Finally, turn it on!
5650 set non-stop on
5651 @end smallexample
5652
5653 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5654
5655 @table @code
5656 @kindex set non-stop
5657 @item set non-stop on
5658 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5659 @item set non-stop off
5660 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5661 @kindex show non-stop
5662 @item show non-stop
5663 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5664 @end table
5665
5666 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5667 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5668 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5669 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5670 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5671 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5672 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5673 default.
5674
5675 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5676 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5677 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5678
5679 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5680 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5681 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5682 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5683 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5684
5685 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5686 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5687 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5688 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5689 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5690
5691 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5692
5693 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5694 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5695 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5696 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5697 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5698 previously current thread.
5699
5700 @node Background Execution
5701 @subsection Background Execution
5702
5703 @cindex foreground execution
5704 @cindex background execution
5705 @cindex asynchronous execution
5706 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5707
5708 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5709 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5710 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5711 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5712 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5713 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5714
5715 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5716 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5717 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5718
5719 @table @code
5720 @kindex set target-async
5721 @item set target-async on
5722 Enable asynchronous mode.
5723 @item set target-async off
5724 Disable asynchronous mode.
5725 @kindex show target-async
5726 @item show target-async
5727 Show the current target-async setting.
5728 @end table
5729
5730 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5731 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5732
5733 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5734 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5735 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5736 are:
5737
5738 @table @code
5739 @kindex run&
5740 @item run
5741 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5742
5743 @item attach
5744 @kindex attach&
5745 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5746
5747 @item step
5748 @kindex step&
5749 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5750
5751 @item stepi
5752 @kindex stepi&
5753 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5754
5755 @item next
5756 @kindex next&
5757 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5758
5759 @item nexti
5760 @kindex nexti&
5761 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5762
5763 @item continue
5764 @kindex continue&
5765 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5766
5767 @item finish
5768 @kindex finish&
5769 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5770
5771 @item until
5772 @kindex until&
5773 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5774
5775 @end table
5776
5777 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5778 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5779 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5780 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5781 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5782 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5783
5784 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5785 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5786
5787 @table @code
5788 @kindex interrupt
5789 @item interrupt
5790 @itemx interrupt -a
5791
5792 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5793 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5794 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5795 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5796 @end table
5797
5798 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5799 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5800
5801 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5802 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5803 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5804
5805 @table @code
5806 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5807 @cindex thread breakpoints
5808 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5809 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5810 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5811 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5812 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5813 specify some source line.
5814
5815 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5816 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5817 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5818 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5819 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5820
5821 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5822 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5823 program.
5824
5825 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5826 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5827 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5828
5829 @smallexample
5830 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5831 @end smallexample
5832
5833 @end table
5834
5835 @node Interrupted System Calls
5836 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5837
5838 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5839 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5840 @cindex premature return from system calls
5841 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5842 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5843 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5844 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5845 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5846 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5847 stop execution.
5848
5849 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5850 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5851 style anyways.
5852
5853 For example, do not write code like this:
5854
5855 @smallexample
5856 sleep (10);
5857 @end smallexample
5858
5859 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5860 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5861
5862 Instead, write this:
5863
5864 @smallexample
5865 int unslept = 10;
5866 while (unslept > 0)
5867 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5868 @end smallexample
5869
5870 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5871 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5872 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5873 @value{GDBN}.
5874
5875 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5876 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5877 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5878 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5879
5880 @node Observer Mode
5881 @subsection Observer Mode
5882
5883 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5884 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5885 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5886 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5887 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5888
5889 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5890 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5891 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5892 mode.
5893
5894 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5895 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5896 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5897 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5898 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901
5902 @kindex observer
5903 @item set observer on
5904 @itemx set observer off
5905 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5906 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5907 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5908 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5909
5910 @item show observer
5911 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5912
5913 @kindex may-write-registers
5914 @item set may-write-registers on
5915 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5916 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5917 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5918 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5919
5920 @item show may-write-registers
5921 Show the current permission to write registers.
5922
5923 @kindex may-write-memory
5924 @item set may-write-memory on
5925 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5926 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5927 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5928 defaults to @code{on}.
5929
5930 @item show may-write-memory
5931 Show the current permission to write memory.
5932
5933 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5934 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5935 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5936 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5937 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5938 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5939
5940 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5941 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5942
5943 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5944 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5945 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5946 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5947 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5948 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5949 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5950
5951 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5952 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5953
5954 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5955 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5956 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5957 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5958 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5959 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5960 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5961
5962 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5963 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5964
5965 @kindex may-interrupt
5966 @item set may-interrupt on
5967 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5968 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5969 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5970 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5971 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5972
5973 @item show may-interrupt
5974 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5975
5976 @end table
5977
5978 @node Reverse Execution
5979 @chapter Running programs backward
5980 @cindex reverse execution
5981 @cindex running programs backward
5982
5983 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5984 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5985 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5986 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5987
5988 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5989 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5990 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5991 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5992 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5993 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5994
5995 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5996 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5997 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5998 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5999 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6000 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6001 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6002 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6003 prior values@footnote{
6004 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6005 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6006 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6007
6008 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6009 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6010 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6011 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6012 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6013 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6014 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6015 }.
6016
6017 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6018 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6019
6020 @table @code
6021 @kindex reverse-continue
6022 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6023 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6024 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6025 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6026 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6027 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6028 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6029
6030 @kindex reverse-step
6031 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6032 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6033 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6034 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6035
6036 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6037 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6038 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6039 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6040 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6041 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6042
6043 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6044 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6045
6046 @kindex reverse-stepi
6047 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6048 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6049 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6050 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6051 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6052 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6053 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6054
6055 @kindex reverse-next
6056 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6057 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6058 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6059 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6060 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6061 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6062 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6063 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6064 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6065 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6066
6067 @kindex reverse-nexti
6068 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6069 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6070 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6071 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6072 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6073 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6074 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6075 frame) is reached.
6076
6077 @kindex reverse-finish
6078 @item reverse-finish
6079 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6080 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6081 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6082 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6083
6084 @kindex set exec-direction
6085 @item set exec-direction
6086 Set the direction of target execution.
6087 @item set exec-direction reverse
6088 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6089 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6090 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6091 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6092 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6093 @item set exec-direction forward
6094 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6095 This is the default.
6096 @end table
6097
6098
6099 @node Process Record and Replay
6100 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6101 @cindex process record and replay
6102 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6103
6104 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6105 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6106 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6107
6108 @cindex replay mode
6109 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6110 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6111 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6112 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6113 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6114 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6115 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6116 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6117 execution log.
6118
6119 @cindex record mode
6120 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6121 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6122 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6123 for future replay.
6124
6125 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6126 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6127 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6128 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6129 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6130 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6131
6132 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6133 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6134 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6135 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6136
6137 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6138 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6139
6140 @table @code
6141 @kindex target record
6142 @kindex target record-full
6143 @kindex target record-btrace
6144 @kindex record
6145 @kindex record full
6146 @kindex record btrace
6147 @kindex rec
6148 @kindex rec full
6149 @kindex rec btrace
6150 @item record @var{method}
6151 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6152 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6153 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6154 recording methods are available:
6155
6156 @table @code
6157 @item full
6158 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6159 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6160 execution.
6161
6162 @item btrace
6163 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6164 replaying and reverse execution.
6165
6166 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6170 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6171 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6172 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6173
6174 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6175 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6176
6177 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6178 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6179 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6180 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6181 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6182
6183 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6184 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6185 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6186 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6187 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6188 does not support these two modes.
6189
6190 @kindex record stop
6191 @kindex rec s
6192 @item record stop
6193 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6194 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6195 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6196
6197 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6198 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6199 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6200 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6201 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6202
6203 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6204 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6205 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6206 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6207 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6208
6209 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6210 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6211
6212 @kindex record save
6213 @item record save @var{filename}
6214 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6215 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6216 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6217
6218 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6219
6220 @kindex record restore
6221 @item record restore @var{filename}
6222 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6223 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6224
6225 @kindex set record full
6226 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6227 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6228 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6229 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6230
6231 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6232 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6233 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6234 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6235 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6236 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6237 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6238 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6239
6240 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6241 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6242 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6243
6244 @kindex show record full
6245 @item show record full insn-number-max
6246 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6247 recording method.
6248
6249 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6250 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6251 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6252 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6253 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6254 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6255 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6256 oldest one to be deleted.
6257
6258 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6259 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6260
6261 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6262 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6263
6264 @item set record full memory-query
6265 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6266 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6267 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6268 case.
6269
6270 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6271 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6272 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6273 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6274 results.
6275
6276 @item show record full memory-query
6277 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6278
6279 @kindex info record
6280 @item info record
6281 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6282 method:
6283
6284 @table @code
6285 @item full
6286 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6287 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6288
6289 @itemize @bullet
6290 @item
6291 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6292 @item
6293 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6294 @item
6295 Highest recorded instruction number.
6296 @item
6297 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6298 @item
6299 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6300 @item
6301 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6302 @end itemize
6303
6304 @item btrace
6305 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6306 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6307 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6308 @end table
6309
6310 @kindex record delete
6311 @kindex rec del
6312 @item record delete
6313 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6314 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6315 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6316 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6317
6318 @kindex record instruction-history
6319 @kindex rec instruction-history
6320 @item record instruction-history
6321 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6322 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6323 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6324 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6325 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6326
6327 @table @code
6328 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6329 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6330 @var{insn}.
6331
6332 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6333 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6334 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6335 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6336 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6337 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6338
6339 @item record instruction-history
6340 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6341
6342 @item record instruction-history -
6343 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6344
6345 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6346 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6347 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6348 number @var{end} is not included.
6349 @end table
6350
6351 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6352
6353 @kindex set record
6354 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6355 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6356 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6357 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6358 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6359
6360 @kindex show record
6361 @item show record instruction-history-size
6362 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6363 instruction-history} command.
6364
6365 @kindex record function-call-history
6366 @kindex rec function-call-history
6367 @item record function-call-history
6368 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6369 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6370 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6371 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6372 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6373 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6374
6375 @smallexample
6376 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6377 1 void foo (void)
6378 2 @{
6379 3 @}
6380 4
6381 5 void bar (void)
6382 6 @{
6383 7 ...
6384 8 foo ();
6385 9 ...
6386 10 @}
6387 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6388 1 foo.c:6-8 bar
6389 2 foo.c:2-3 foo
6390 3 foo.c:9-10 bar
6391 @end smallexample
6392
6393 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6394 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6395 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6396 to print:
6397
6398 @table @code
6399 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6400 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6401
6402 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6403 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6404 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6405 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6406 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6407
6408 @item record function-call-history
6409 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6410
6411 @item record function-call-history -
6412 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6413
6414 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6415 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6416 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6417 included.
6418 @end table
6419
6420 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6421
6422 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6423 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6424 Define how many lines to print in the
6425 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6426 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6427
6428 @item show record function-call-history-size
6429 Show how many lines to print in the
6430 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6431 @end table
6432
6433
6434 @node Stack
6435 @chapter Examining the Stack
6436
6437 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6438 stopped and how it got there.
6439
6440 @cindex call stack
6441 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6442 is generated.
6443 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6444 the arguments of the call,
6445 and the local variables of the function being called.
6446 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6447 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6448 stack}.
6449
6450 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6451 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6452
6453 @cindex selected frame
6454 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6455 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6456 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6457 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6458 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6459 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6460
6461 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6462 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6463 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6464
6465 @menu
6466 * Frames:: Stack frames
6467 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6468 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6469 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6470
6471 @end menu
6472
6473 @node Frames
6474 @section Stack Frames
6475
6476 @cindex frame, definition
6477 @cindex stack frame
6478 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6479 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6480 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6481 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6482 which the function is executing.
6483
6484 @cindex initial frame
6485 @cindex outermost frame
6486 @cindex innermost frame
6487 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6488 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6489 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6490 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6491 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6492 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6493 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6494 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6495
6496 @cindex frame pointer
6497 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6498 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6499 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6500 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6501 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6502 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6503
6504 @cindex frame number
6505 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6506 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6507 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6508 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6509 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6510
6511 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6512 @c underflow problems.
6513 @cindex frameless execution
6514 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6515 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6516 @smallexample
6517 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6518 @end smallexample
6519 generates functions without a frame.)
6520 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6521 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6522 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6523 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6524 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6525 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6526 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6527
6528 @table @code
6529 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6530 @cindex current stack frame
6531 @item frame @var{args}
6532 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6533 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6534 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6535 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6536
6537 @kindex select-frame
6538 @cindex selecting frame silently
6539 @item select-frame
6540 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6541 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6542 @code{frame}.
6543 @end table
6544
6545 @node Backtrace
6546 @section Backtraces
6547
6548 @cindex traceback
6549 @cindex call stack traces
6550 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6551 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6552 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6553 stack.
6554
6555 @table @code
6556 @kindex backtrace
6557 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6558 @item backtrace
6559 @itemx bt
6560 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6561 frames in the stack.
6562
6563 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6564 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6565
6566 @item backtrace @var{n}
6567 @itemx bt @var{n}
6568 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6569
6570 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6571 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6572 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6573
6574 @item backtrace full
6575 @itemx bt full
6576 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6577 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6578 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6579 number of frames to print, as described above.
6580 @end table
6581
6582 @kindex where
6583 @kindex info stack
6584 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6585 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6586
6587 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6588 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6589 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6590 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6591 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6592 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6593 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6594 multi-threaded program.
6595
6596 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6597 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6598 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6599 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6600 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6601 line number.
6602
6603 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6604 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6605
6606 @smallexample
6607 @group
6608 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6609 at builtin.c:993
6610 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6611 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6612 at macro.c:71
6613 (More stack frames follow...)
6614 @end group
6615 @end smallexample
6616
6617 @noindent
6618 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6619 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6620 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6621
6622 @noindent
6623 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6624 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6625 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6626 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6627 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6628
6629 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6630 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6631 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6632 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6633 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6634 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6635 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6636 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6637 such a backtrace might look like:
6638
6639 @smallexample
6640 @group
6641 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6642 at builtin.c:993
6643 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6644 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6645 at macro.c:71
6646 (More stack frames follow...)
6647 @end group
6648 @end smallexample
6649
6650 @noindent
6651 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6652 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6653
6654 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6655 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6656 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6657
6658 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6659 @cindex program entry point
6660 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6661 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6662 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6663 @code{main}@footnote{
6664 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6665 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6666 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6667 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6668 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6669 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6670
6671 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6672 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6673
6674 @table @code
6675 @item set backtrace past-main
6676 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6677 @kindex set backtrace
6678 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6679
6680 @item set backtrace past-main off
6681 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6682 default.
6683
6684 @item show backtrace past-main
6685 @kindex show backtrace
6686 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6687
6688 @item set backtrace past-entry
6689 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6690 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6691 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6692 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6693
6694 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6695 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6696 application. This is the default.
6697
6698 @item show backtrace past-entry
6699 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6700
6701 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6702 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6703 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6704 @cindex backtrace limit
6705 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6706 or zero means unlimited levels.
6707
6708 @item show backtrace limit
6709 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6710 @end table
6711
6712 You can control how file names are displayed.
6713
6714 @table @code
6715 @item set filename-display
6716 @itemx set filename-display relative
6717 @cindex filename-display
6718 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6719
6720 @item set filename-display basename
6721 Display only basename of a filename.
6722
6723 @item set filename-display absolute
6724 Display an absolute filename.
6725
6726 @item show filename-display
6727 Show the current way to display filenames.
6728 @end table
6729
6730 @node Selection
6731 @section Selecting a Frame
6732
6733 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6734 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6735 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6736 of the stack frame just selected.
6737
6738 @table @code
6739 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6740 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6741 @item frame @var{n}
6742 @itemx f @var{n}
6743 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6744 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6745 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6746 @code{main}.
6747
6748 @item frame @var{addr}
6749 @itemx f @var{addr}
6750 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6751 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6752 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6753 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6754 switches between them.
6755
6756 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6757 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6758
6759 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6760 pointer and a program counter.
6761
6762 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6763 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6764
6765 @kindex up
6766 @item up @var{n}
6767 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6768 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6769 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6770
6771 @kindex down
6772 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6773 @item down @var{n}
6774 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6775 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6776 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6777 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6778 @end table
6779
6780 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6781 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6782 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6783 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6784
6785 @need 1000
6786 For example:
6787
6788 @smallexample
6789 @group
6790 (@value{GDBP}) up
6791 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6792 at env.c:10
6793 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6794 @end group
6795 @end smallexample
6796
6797 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6798 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6799 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6800 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6801 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6802 for details.
6803
6804 @table @code
6805 @kindex down-silently
6806 @kindex up-silently
6807 @item up-silently @var{n}
6808 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6809 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6810 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6811 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6812 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6813 distracting.
6814 @end table
6815
6816 @node Frame Info
6817 @section Information About a Frame
6818
6819 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6820 stack frame.
6821
6822 @table @code
6823 @item frame
6824 @itemx f
6825 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6826 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6827 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6828 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6829 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6830
6831 @kindex info frame
6832 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6833 @item info frame
6834 @itemx info f
6835 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6836 including:
6837
6838 @itemize @bullet
6839 @item
6840 the address of the frame
6841 @item
6842 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6843 @item
6844 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6845 @item
6846 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6847 @item
6848 the address of the frame's arguments
6849 @item
6850 the address of the frame's local variables
6851 @item
6852 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6853 @item
6854 which registers were saved in the frame
6855 @end itemize
6856
6857 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6858 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6859 the usual conventions.
6860
6861 @item info frame @var{addr}
6862 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6863 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6864 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6865 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6866 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6867 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6868
6869 @kindex info args
6870 @item info args
6871 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6872
6873 @item info locals
6874 @kindex info locals
6875 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6876 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6877 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6878
6879 @end table
6880
6881
6882 @node Source
6883 @chapter Examining Source Files
6884
6885 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6886 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6887 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6888 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6889 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6890 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6891 source files by explicit command.
6892
6893 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6894 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6895 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6896
6897 @menu
6898 * List:: Printing source lines
6899 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6900 * Edit:: Editing source files
6901 * Search:: Searching source files
6902 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6903 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6904 @end menu
6905
6906 @node List
6907 @section Printing Source Lines
6908
6909 @kindex list
6910 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6911 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6912 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6913 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6914 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6915
6916 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6917
6918 @table @code
6919 @item list @var{linenum}
6920 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6921 current source file.
6922
6923 @item list @var{function}
6924 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6925 @var{function}.
6926
6927 @item list
6928 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6929 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6930 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6931 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6932 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6933
6934 @item list -
6935 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6936 @end table
6937
6938 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6939 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6940 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6941
6942 @table @code
6943 @kindex set listsize
6944 @item set listsize @var{count}
6945 @itemx set listsize unlimited
6946 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6947 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6948 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
6949
6950 @kindex show listsize
6951 @item show listsize
6952 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6953 @end table
6954
6955 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6956 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6957 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6958 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6959 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6960
6961 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6962 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6963 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6964 to specify some source line.
6965
6966 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6967
6968 @table @code
6969 @item list @var{linespec}
6970 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6971
6972 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6973 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6974 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6975 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6976 the same source file as the first linespec.
6977
6978 @item list ,@var{last}
6979 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6980
6981 @item list @var{first},
6982 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6983
6984 @item list +
6985 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6986
6987 @item list -
6988 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6989
6990 @item list
6991 As described in the preceding table.
6992 @end table
6993
6994 @node Specify Location
6995 @section Specifying a Location
6996 @cindex specifying location
6997 @cindex linespec
6998
6999 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7000 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7001 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7002 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7003
7004 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7005 @value{GDBN} understands:
7006
7007 @table @code
7008 @item @var{linenum}
7009 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7010
7011 @item -@var{offset}
7012 @itemx +@var{offset}
7013 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7014 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7015 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7016 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7017 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7018 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7019 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7020 linespec.
7021
7022 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7023 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7024 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7025 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7026 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7027 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7028 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7029
7030 @item @var{function}
7031 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7032 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7033
7034 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7035 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7036
7037 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7038 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7039 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7040 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7041 functions in different source files.
7042
7043 @item @var{label}
7044 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7045 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7046 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7047 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7048 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7049
7050 @item *@var{address}
7051 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7052 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7053 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7054 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7055 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7056 source files.
7057
7058 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7059 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7060 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7061 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7062 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7063 of @var{address}:
7064
7065 @table @code
7066 @item @var{expression}
7067 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7068
7069 @item @var{funcaddr}
7070 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7071 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7072 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7073 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7074 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7075 (although the Pascal form also works).
7076
7077 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7078 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7079
7080 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7081 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7082 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7083 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7084 functions with identical names in different source files.
7085 @end table
7086
7087 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7088 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7089 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7090 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7091 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7092 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7093
7094 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7095 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7096 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7097 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7098 each one of those probes.
7099
7100 @end table
7101
7102
7103 @node Edit
7104 @section Editing Source Files
7105 @cindex editing source files
7106
7107 @kindex edit
7108 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7109 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7110 The editing program of your choice
7111 is invoked with the current line set to
7112 the active line in the program.
7113 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7114 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7115
7116 @table @code
7117 @item edit @var{location}
7118 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7119 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7120 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7121 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7122 command most commonly used:
7123
7124 @table @code
7125 @item edit @var{number}
7126 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7127
7128 @item edit @var{function}
7129 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7130 @end table
7131
7132 @end table
7133
7134 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7135 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7136 @footnote{
7137 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7138 following command-line syntax:
7139 @smallexample
7140 ex +@var{number} file
7141 @end smallexample
7142 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7143 the file where to start editing.}.
7144 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7145 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7146 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7147 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7148 @smallexample
7149 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7150 export EDITOR
7151 gdb @dots{}
7152 @end smallexample
7153 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7154 @smallexample
7155 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7156 gdb @dots{}
7157 @end smallexample
7158
7159 @node Search
7160 @section Searching Source Files
7161 @cindex searching source files
7162
7163 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7164 regular expression.
7165
7166 @table @code
7167 @kindex search
7168 @kindex forward-search
7169 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7170 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7171 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7172 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7173 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7174 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7175 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7176 @code{fo}.
7177
7178 @kindex reverse-search
7179 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7180 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7181 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7182 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7183 this command as @code{rev}.
7184 @end table
7185
7186 @node Source Path
7187 @section Specifying Source Directories
7188
7189 @cindex source path
7190 @cindex directories for source files
7191 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7192 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7193 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7194 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7195 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7196 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7197 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7198
7199 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7200 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7201 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7202 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7203 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7204 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7205 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7206 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7207 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7208 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7209 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7210
7211 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7212 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7213 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7214 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7215 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7216 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7217
7218 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7219 source files.
7220
7221 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7222 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7223 each line is in the file.
7224
7225 @kindex directory
7226 @kindex dir
7227 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7228 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7229 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7230
7231 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7232 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7233
7234 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7235 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7236 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7237 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7238 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7239 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7240 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7241 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7242 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7243 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7244 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7245 name to look up the sources.
7246
7247 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7248 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7249 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7250 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7251 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7252 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7253 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7254 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7255
7256 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7257 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7258 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7259 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7260 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7261 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7262 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7263
7264 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7265 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7266 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7267 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7268 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7269 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7270 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7271 command.
7272
7273 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7274 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7275 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7276 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7277 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7278 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7279 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7280
7281 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7282 @cindex default source path substitution
7283 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7284 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7285 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7286 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7287 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7288 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7289 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7290 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7291 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7292 together.
7293
7294 @table @code
7295 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7296 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7297 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7298 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7299 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7300 part of absolute file names) or
7301 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7302 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7303
7304 @kindex cdir
7305 @kindex cwd
7306 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7307 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7308 @cindex compilation directory
7309 @cindex current directory
7310 @cindex working directory
7311 @cindex directory, current
7312 @cindex directory, compilation
7313 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7314 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7315 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7316 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7317 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7318 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7319
7320 @item directory
7321 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7322
7323 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7324 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7325
7326 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7327 @kindex set directories
7328 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7329 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7330
7331 @item show directories
7332 @kindex show directories
7333 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7334
7335 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7336 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7337 @kindex set substitute-path
7338 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7339 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7340 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7341
7342 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7343 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7344
7345 @smallexample
7346 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7347 @end smallexample
7348
7349 @noindent
7350 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7351 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7352 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7353
7354 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7355 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7356 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7357 the substitution.
7358
7359 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7360
7361 @smallexample
7362 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7363 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7364 @end smallexample
7365
7366 @noindent
7367 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7368 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7369 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7370 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7371
7372
7373 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7374 @kindex unset substitute-path
7375 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7376 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7377 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7378
7379 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7380
7381 @item show substitute-path [path]
7382 @kindex show substitute-path
7383 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7384 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7385
7386 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7387 rules.
7388
7389 @end table
7390
7391 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7392 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7393 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7394
7395 @enumerate
7396 @item
7397 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7398
7399 @item
7400 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7401 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7402 directories in one command.
7403 @end enumerate
7404
7405 @node Machine Code
7406 @section Source and Machine Code
7407 @cindex source line and its code address
7408
7409 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7410 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7411 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7412 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7413 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7414 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7415 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7416 well as hex.
7417
7418 @table @code
7419 @kindex info line
7420 @item info line @var{linespec}
7421 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7422 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7423 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7424 @end table
7425
7426 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7427 the object code for the first line of function
7428 @code{m4_changequote}:
7429
7430 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7431 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7432 @smallexample
7433 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7434 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7435 @end smallexample
7436
7437 @noindent
7438 @cindex code address and its source line
7439 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7440 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7441 @smallexample
7442 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7443 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7444 @end smallexample
7445
7446 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7447 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7448 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7449 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7450 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7451 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7452 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7453 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7454 Variables}).
7455
7456 @table @code
7457 @kindex disassemble
7458 @cindex assembly instructions
7459 @cindex instructions, assembly
7460 @cindex machine instructions
7461 @cindex listing machine instructions
7462 @item disassemble
7463 @itemx disassemble /m
7464 @itemx disassemble /r
7465 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7466 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7467 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7468 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7469 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7470 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7471 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7472 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7473 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7474 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7475
7476 @table @code
7477 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7478 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7479 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7480 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7481 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7482 @end table
7483
7484 @noindent
7485 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7486 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7487
7488 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7489 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7490
7491 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7492 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7493 @end table
7494
7495 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7496 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7497
7498 @smallexample
7499 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7500 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7501 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7502 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7503 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7504 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7505 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7506 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7507 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7508 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7509 End of assembler dump.
7510 @end smallexample
7511
7512 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7513 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7514
7515 @smallexample
7516 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7517 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7518 5 @{
7519 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7520 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7521 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7522 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7523 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7524
7525 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7526 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7527 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7528
7529 7 return 0;
7530 8 @}
7531 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7532 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7533 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7534
7535 End of assembler dump.
7536 @end smallexample
7537
7538 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7539
7540 @smallexample
7541 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7542 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7543 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7544 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7545 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7546 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7547 End of assembler dump.
7548 @end smallexample
7549
7550 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7551 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7552 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7553 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7554
7555 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7556 mnemonics or other syntax.
7557
7558 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7559 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7560 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7561 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7562 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7563
7564 @table @code
7565 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7566 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7567 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7568 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7569 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7570 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7571
7572 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7573 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7574 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7575 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7576
7577 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7578 @item show disassembly-flavor
7579 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7580 @end table
7581
7582 @table @code
7583 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7584 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7585 @item set disassemble-next-line
7586 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7587 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7588 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7589 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7590 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7591 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7592 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7593 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7594 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7595 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7596 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7597 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7598 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7599 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7600 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7601 instruction.
7602 @end table
7603
7604
7605 @node Data
7606 @chapter Examining Data
7607
7608 @cindex printing data
7609 @cindex examining data
7610 @kindex print
7611 @kindex inspect
7612 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7613 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7614 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7615 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7616 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7617 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7618
7619 @table @code
7620 @item print @var{expr}
7621 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7622 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7623 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7624 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7625 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7626 Formats}.
7627
7628 @item print
7629 @itemx print /@var{f}
7630 @cindex reprint the last value
7631 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7632 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7633 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7634 @end table
7635
7636 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7637 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7638 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7639
7640 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7641 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7642 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7643 Table}.
7644
7645 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7646 @kindex explore
7647 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7648 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7649 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7650 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7651 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7652 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7653 embedded in the higher level data types.
7654
7655 @table @code
7656 @item explore @var{arg}
7657 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7658 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7659 @end table
7660
7661 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7662 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7663 C program as
7664
7665 @smallexample
7666 struct SimpleStruct
7667 @{
7668 int i;
7669 double d;
7670 @};
7671
7672 struct ComplexStruct
7673 @{
7674 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7675 int arr[10];
7676 @};
7677 @end smallexample
7678
7679 @noindent
7680 followed by variable declarations as
7681
7682 @smallexample
7683 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7684 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7685 @end smallexample
7686
7687 @noindent
7688 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7689 @code{explore} command as follows.
7690
7691 @smallexample
7692 (gdb) explore cs
7693 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7694 the following fields:
7695
7696 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7697 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7698
7699 Enter the field number of choice:
7700 @end smallexample
7701
7702 @noindent
7703 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7704 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7705 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7706 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7707 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7708 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7709 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7710 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7711
7712 @smallexample
7713 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7714 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7715 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7716 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7717
7718 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7719 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7720
7721 Press enter to return to parent value:
7722 @end smallexample
7723
7724 @noindent
7725 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7726 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7727 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7728 to explore.
7729
7730 @smallexample
7731 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7732 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7733
7734 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7735
7736 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7737
7738 Press enter to return to parent value:
7739 @end smallexample
7740
7741 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7742 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7743 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7744 level data structure).
7745
7746 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7747 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7748 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7749 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7750 same example as above, your can explore the type
7751 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7752 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7753
7754 @smallexample
7755 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7756 @end smallexample
7757
7758 @noindent
7759 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7760 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7761 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7762 example.
7763
7764 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7765 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7766 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7767 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7768 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7769
7770 @table @code
7771 @item explore value @var{expr}
7772 @cindex explore value
7773 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7774 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7775 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7776 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7777 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7778
7779 @item explore type @var{arg}
7780 @cindex explore type
7781 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7782 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7783 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7784 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7785 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7786 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7787 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7788 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7789 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7790 @end table
7791
7792 @menu
7793 * Expressions:: Expressions
7794 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7795 * Variables:: Program variables
7796 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7797 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7798 * Memory:: Examining memory
7799 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7800 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7801 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7802 * Value History:: Value history
7803 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7804 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7805 * Registers:: Registers
7806 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7807 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7808 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7809 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7810 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7811 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7812 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7813 character set than GDB does
7814 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7815 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7816 @end menu
7817
7818 @node Expressions
7819 @section Expressions
7820
7821 @cindex expressions
7822 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7823 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7824 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7825 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7826 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7827 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7828 @ref{Compilation}.
7829
7830 @cindex arrays in expressions
7831 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7832 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7833 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7834 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7835 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7836 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7837
7838 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7839 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7840 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7841 languages.
7842
7843 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7844 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7845
7846 @cindex casts, in expressions
7847 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7848 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7849 at that address in memory.
7850 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7851
7852 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7853 to programming languages:
7854
7855 @table @code
7856 @item @@
7857 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7858 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7859
7860 @item ::
7861 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7862 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7863
7864 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7865 @cindex type casting memory
7866 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7867 @cindex casts, to view memory
7868 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7869 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7870 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7871 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7872 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7873 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7874 @end table
7875
7876 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7877 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7878 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7879
7880 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7881 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7882 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7883 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7884 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7885 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7886 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7887
7888 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7889 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7890 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7891 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7892 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7893 as well.
7894
7895 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7896 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7897 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7898 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7899 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7900 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7901 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7902 choices.
7903
7904 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7905 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7906 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7907
7908 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7909 @smallexample
7910 @group
7911 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7912 [0] cancel
7913 [1] all
7914 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7915 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7916 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7917 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7918 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7919 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7920 > 2 4 6
7921 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7922 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7923 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7924 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7925 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7926 breakpoints.
7927 (@value{GDBP})
7928 @end group
7929 @end smallexample
7930
7931 @table @code
7932 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7933 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7934 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7935
7936 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7937 is ambiguous.
7938
7939 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7940 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7941 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7942 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7943 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7944 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7945 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7946 in the use of the menu.
7947
7948 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7949 when an ambiguity is detected.
7950
7951 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7952 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7953
7954 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7955 @item show multiple-symbols
7956 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7957 @end table
7958
7959 @node Variables
7960 @section Program Variables
7961
7962 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7963 in your program.
7964
7965 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7966 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7967
7968 @itemize @bullet
7969 @item
7970 global (or file-static)
7971 @end itemize
7972
7973 @noindent or
7974
7975 @itemize @bullet
7976 @item
7977 visible according to the scope rules of the
7978 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7979 @end itemize
7980
7981 @noindent This means that in the function
7982
7983 @smallexample
7984 foo (a)
7985 int a;
7986 @{
7987 bar (a);
7988 @{
7989 int b = test ();
7990 bar (b);
7991 @}
7992 @}
7993 @end smallexample
7994
7995 @noindent
7996 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7997 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7998 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7999 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8000
8001 @cindex variable name conflict
8002 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8003 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8004 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8005 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8006 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8007 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8008 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8009
8010 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8011 @ifnotinfo
8012 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8013 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8014 @end ifnotinfo
8015 @smallexample
8016 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8017 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8018 @end smallexample
8019
8020 @noindent
8021 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8022 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8023 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8024 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8025
8026 @smallexample
8027 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8028 @end smallexample
8029
8030 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8031 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8032 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8033 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8034 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8035
8036 @smallexample
8037 void
8038 foo (int a)
8039 @{
8040 if (a < 10)
8041 bar (a);
8042 else
8043 process (a); /* Stop here */
8044 @}
8045
8046 int
8047 bar (int a)
8048 @{
8049 foo (a + 5);
8050 @}
8051 @end smallexample
8052
8053 @noindent
8054 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8055 here is what you might see
8056 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8057
8058 @smallexample
8059 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8060 $1 = 10
8061 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8062 $2 = 5
8063 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8064 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8065 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8066 $3 = 5
8067 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8068 $4 = 0
8069 @end smallexample
8070
8071 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8072 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8073 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8074 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8075 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8076 @c conflict?? --mew
8077
8078 @cindex wrong values
8079 @cindex variable values, wrong
8080 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8081 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8082 @quotation
8083 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8084 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8085 scope, and just before exit.
8086 @end quotation
8087 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8088 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8089 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8090 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8091 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8092 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8093 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8094 variable definitions may be gone.
8095
8096 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8097 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8098 when compiling.
8099
8100 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8101 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8102 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8103 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8104 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8105 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8106 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8107
8108 @smallexample
8109 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8110 @end smallexample
8111
8112 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8113 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8114 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8115 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8116 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8117
8118 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8119 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8120 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8121 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8122
8123 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8124 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8125 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8126 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8127 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8128
8129 @smallexample
8130 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8131 29 i++;
8132 (gdb) next
8133 30 e (i);
8134 (gdb) print i
8135 $1 = 31
8136 (gdb) print i@@entry
8137 $2 = 30
8138 @end smallexample
8139
8140 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8141 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8142 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8143 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8144 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8145 For program code
8146
8147 @smallexample
8148 char var0[] = "A";
8149 signed char var1[] = "A";
8150 @end smallexample
8151
8152 You get during debugging
8153 @smallexample
8154 (gdb) print var0
8155 $1 = "A"
8156 (gdb) print var1
8157 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8158 @end smallexample
8159
8160 @node Arrays
8161 @section Artificial Arrays
8162
8163 @cindex artificial array
8164 @cindex arrays
8165 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8166 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8167 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8168 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8169 program.
8170
8171 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8172 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8173 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8174 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8175 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8176 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8177 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8178 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8179 example. If a program says
8180
8181 @smallexample
8182 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8183 @end smallexample
8184
8185 @noindent
8186 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8187
8188 @smallexample
8189 p *array@@len
8190 @end smallexample
8191
8192 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8193 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8194 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8195 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8196 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8197
8198 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8199 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8200 The value need not be in memory:
8201 @smallexample
8202 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8203 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8204 @end smallexample
8205
8206 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8207 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8208 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8209 @smallexample
8210 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8211 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8212 @end smallexample
8213
8214 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8215 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8216 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8217 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8218 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8219 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8220 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8221 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8222 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8223 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8224
8225 @smallexample
8226 set $i = 0
8227 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8228 @key{RET}
8229 @key{RET}
8230 @dots{}
8231 @end smallexample
8232
8233 @node Output Formats
8234 @section Output Formats
8235
8236 @cindex formatted output
8237 @cindex output formats
8238 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8239 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8240 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8241 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8242 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8243
8244 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8245 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8246 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8247 letters supported are:
8248
8249 @table @code
8250 @item x
8251 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8252 hexadecimal.
8253
8254 @item d
8255 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8256
8257 @item u
8258 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8259
8260 @item o
8261 Print as integer in octal.
8262
8263 @item t
8264 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8265 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8266 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8267 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8268
8269 @item a
8270 @cindex unknown address, locating
8271 @cindex locate address
8272 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8273 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8274 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8275
8276 @smallexample
8277 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8278 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8279 @end smallexample
8280
8281 @noindent
8282 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8283 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8284
8285 @item c
8286 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8287 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8288 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8289 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8290
8291 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8292 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8293 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8294 data.
8295
8296 @item f
8297 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8298 using typical floating point syntax.
8299
8300 @item s
8301 @cindex printing strings
8302 @cindex printing byte arrays
8303 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8304 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8305 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8306 natural types.
8307
8308 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8309 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8310 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8311 array.
8312
8313 @item r
8314 @cindex raw printing
8315 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8316 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8317 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8318 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8319 pretty-printer which might exist.
8320 @end table
8321
8322 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8323
8324 @smallexample
8325 p/x $pc
8326 @end smallexample
8327
8328 @noindent
8329 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8330 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8331
8332 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8333 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8334 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8335
8336 @node Memory
8337 @section Examining Memory
8338
8339 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8340 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8341
8342 @cindex examining memory
8343 @table @code
8344 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8345 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8346 @itemx x @var{addr}
8347 @itemx x
8348 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8349 @end table
8350
8351 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8352 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8353 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8354 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8355 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8356
8357 @table @r
8358 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8359 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8360 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8361 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8362 @c 4.1.2.
8363
8364 @item @var{f}, the display format
8365 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8366 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8367 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8368 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8369 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8370
8371 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8372 The unit size is any of
8373
8374 @table @code
8375 @item b
8376 Bytes.
8377 @item h
8378 Halfwords (two bytes).
8379 @item w
8380 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8381 @item g
8382 Giant words (eight bytes).
8383 @end table
8384
8385 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8386 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8387 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8388 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8389 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8390 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8391 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8392 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8393 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8394 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8395 be altered.
8396
8397 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8398 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8399 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8400 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8401 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8402 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8403 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8404 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8405 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8406 a value from memory).
8407 @end table
8408
8409 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8410 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8411 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8412 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8413 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8414
8415 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8416 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8417 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8418 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8419 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8420
8421 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8422 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8423 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8424 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8425 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8426 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8427 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8428 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8429 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8430
8431 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8432 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8433 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8434 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8435 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8436 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8437 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8438
8439 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8440 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8441
8442 @smallexample
8443 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8444 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8445 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8446 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8447 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8448 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8449 @end smallexample
8450
8451 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8452 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8453 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8454 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8455 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8456 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8457 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8458 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8459 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8460
8461 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8462 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8463 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8464
8465 @cindex remote memory comparison
8466 @cindex verify remote memory image
8467 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8468 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8469 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8470 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8471 situations.
8472
8473 @table @code
8474 @kindex compare-sections
8475 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8476 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8477 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8478 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8479 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8480 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8481 remote request.
8482 @end table
8483
8484 @node Auto Display
8485 @section Automatic Display
8486 @cindex automatic display
8487 @cindex display of expressions
8488
8489 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8490 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8491 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8492 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8493 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8494 The automatic display looks like this:
8495
8496 @smallexample
8497 2: foo = 38
8498 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8499 @end smallexample
8500
8501 @noindent
8502 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8503 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8504 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8505 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8506 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8507 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8508
8509 @table @code
8510 @kindex display
8511 @item display @var{expr}
8512 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8513 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8514
8515 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8516
8517 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8518 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8519 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8520 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8521 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8522
8523 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8524 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8525 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8526 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8527 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8528 @end table
8529
8530 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8531 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8532 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8533
8534 @table @code
8535 @kindex delete display
8536 @kindex undisplay
8537 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8538 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8539 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8540 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8541 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8542 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8543 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8544
8545 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8546 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8547
8548 @kindex disable display
8549 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8550 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8551 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8552 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8553 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8554 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8555 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8556 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8557
8558 @kindex enable display
8559 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8560 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8561 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8562 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8563 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8564 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8565 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8566
8567 @item display
8568 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8569 done when your program stops.
8570
8571 @kindex info display
8572 @item info display
8573 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8574 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8575 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8576 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8577 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8578 @end table
8579
8580 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8581 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8582 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8583 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8584 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8585 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8586 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8587 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8588 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8589 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8590 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8591
8592 @node Print Settings
8593 @section Print Settings
8594
8595 @cindex format options
8596 @cindex print settings
8597 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8598 and symbols are printed.
8599
8600 @noindent
8601 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8602
8603 @table @code
8604 @kindex set print
8605 @item set print address
8606 @itemx set print address on
8607 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8608 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8609 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8610 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8611 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8612 @code{set print address on}:
8613
8614 @smallexample
8615 @group
8616 (@value{GDBP}) f
8617 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8618 at input.c:530
8619 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8620 @end group
8621 @end smallexample
8622
8623 @item set print address off
8624 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8625 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8626
8627 @smallexample
8628 @group
8629 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8630 (@value{GDBP}) f
8631 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8632 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8633 @end group
8634 @end smallexample
8635
8636 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8637 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8638 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8639 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8640
8641 @kindex show print
8642 @item show print address
8643 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8644 @end table
8645
8646 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8647 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8648 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8649 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8650 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8651 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8652 it prints a symbolic address:
8653
8654 @table @code
8655 @item set print symbol-filename on
8656 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8657 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8658 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8659 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8660
8661 @item set print symbol-filename off
8662 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8663 default.
8664
8665 @item show print symbol-filename
8666 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8667 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8668 @end table
8669
8670 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8671 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8672 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8673
8674 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8675 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8676
8677 @table @code
8678 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8679 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8680 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8681 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8682 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8683 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8684 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8685 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8686
8687 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8688 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8689 symbolic address.
8690 @end table
8691
8692 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8693 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8694 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8695 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8696 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8697 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8698 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8699 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8700
8701 @smallexample
8702 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8703 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8704 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8705 @end smallexample
8706
8707 @quotation
8708 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8709 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8710 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8711 @end quotation
8712
8713 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8714 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8715
8716 @table @code
8717 @item set print symbol on
8718 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8719 one exists.
8720
8721 @item set print symbol off
8722 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8723 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8724 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8725
8726 @item show print symbol
8727 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8728 address.
8729 @end table
8730
8731 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8732
8733 @table @code
8734 @item set print array
8735 @itemx set print array on
8736 @cindex pretty print arrays
8737 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8738 but uses more space. The default is off.
8739
8740 @item set print array off
8741 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8742
8743 @item show print array
8744 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8745 arrays.
8746
8747 @cindex print array indexes
8748 @item set print array-indexes
8749 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8750 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8751 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8752 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8753
8754 @item set print array-indexes off
8755 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8756
8757 @item show print array-indexes
8758 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8759 arrays.
8760
8761 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8762 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8763 @cindex number of array elements to print
8764 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8765 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8766 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8767 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8768 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8769 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8770 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8771 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8772
8773 @item show print elements
8774 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8775 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8776
8777 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8778 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8779 @cindex printing frame argument values
8780 @cindex print all frame argument values
8781 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8782 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8783 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8784 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8785 values are:
8786
8787 @table @code
8788 @item all
8789 The values of all arguments are printed.
8790
8791 @item scalars
8792 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8793 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8794 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8795 only scalar arguments are shown:
8796
8797 @smallexample
8798 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8799 at frame-args.c:23
8800 @end smallexample
8801
8802 @item none
8803 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8804 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8805
8806 @smallexample
8807 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8808 at frame-args.c:23
8809 @end smallexample
8810 @end table
8811
8812 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8813 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8814 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8815 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8816 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8817 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8818 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8819 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8820 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8821 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8822
8823 @item show print frame-arguments
8824 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8825
8826 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8827 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8828 @kindex set print entry-values
8829 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8830 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8831 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8832 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8833 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8834
8835 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8836 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8837 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8838 @code{no} setting.
8839
8840 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8841 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8842 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8843 this information.
8844
8845 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8846
8847 @table @code
8848 @item no
8849 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8850 point.
8851 @smallexample
8852 #0 equal (val=5)
8853 #0 different (val=6)
8854 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8855 #0 born (val=10)
8856 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8857 @end smallexample
8858
8859 @item only
8860 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8861 values are never printed.
8862 @smallexample
8863 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8864 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8865 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8866 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8867 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8868 @end smallexample
8869
8870 @item preferred
8871 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8872 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8873 value for such parameter.
8874 @smallexample
8875 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8876 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8877 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8878 #0 born (val=10)
8879 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8880 @end smallexample
8881
8882 @item if-needed
8883 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8884 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8885 parameter.
8886 @smallexample
8887 #0 equal (val=5)
8888 #0 different (val=6)
8889 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8890 #0 born (val=10)
8891 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8892 @end smallexample
8893
8894 @item both
8895 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8896 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8897 optimizations.
8898 @smallexample
8899 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8900 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8901 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8902 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8903 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8904 @end smallexample
8905
8906 @item compact
8907 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8908 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8909 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8910 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8911 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8912 @smallexample
8913 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8914 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8915 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8916 #0 born (val=10)
8917 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8918 @end smallexample
8919
8920 @item default
8921 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8922 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8923 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8924 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8925 @smallexample
8926 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8927 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8928 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8929 #0 born (val=10)
8930 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8931 @end smallexample
8932 @end table
8933
8934 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8935 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8936
8937 @item show print entry-values
8938 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8939 entry.
8940
8941 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
8942 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
8943 @cindex repeated array elements
8944 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8945 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8946 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8947 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8948 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8949 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
8950 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
8951 is 10.
8952
8953 @item show print repeats
8954 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8955 elements.
8956
8957 @item set print null-stop
8958 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8959 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8960 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8961 contain only short strings.
8962 The default is off.
8963
8964 @item show print null-stop
8965 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8966 @sc{null} character.
8967
8968 @item set print pretty on
8969 @cindex print structures in indented form
8970 @cindex indentation in structure display
8971 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8972 per line, like this:
8973
8974 @smallexample
8975 @group
8976 $1 = @{
8977 next = 0x0,
8978 flags = @{
8979 sweet = 1,
8980 sour = 1
8981 @},
8982 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8983 @}
8984 @end group
8985 @end smallexample
8986
8987 @item set print pretty off
8988 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8989
8990 @smallexample
8991 @group
8992 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8993 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8994 @end group
8995 @end smallexample
8996
8997 @noindent
8998 This is the default format.
8999
9000 @item show print pretty
9001 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9002
9003 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9004 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9005 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9006 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9007 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9008 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9009 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9010 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9011
9012 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9013 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9014 international character sets, and is the default.
9015
9016 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9017 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9018
9019 @item set print union on
9020 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9021 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9022 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9023
9024 @item set print union off
9025 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9026 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9027 instead.
9028
9029 @item show print union
9030 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9031 structures and other unions.
9032
9033 For example, given the declarations
9034
9035 @smallexample
9036 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9037 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9038 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9039 Bug_forms;
9040
9041 struct thing @{
9042 Species it;
9043 union @{
9044 Tree_forms tree;
9045 Bug_forms bug;
9046 @} form;
9047 @};
9048
9049 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9050 @end smallexample
9051
9052 @noindent
9053 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9054
9055 @smallexample
9056 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9057 @end smallexample
9058
9059 @noindent
9060 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9061
9062 @smallexample
9063 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9064 @end smallexample
9065
9066 @noindent
9067 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9068 and in Pascal.
9069 @end table
9070
9071 @need 1000
9072 @noindent
9073 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9074
9075 @table @code
9076 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9077 @item set print demangle
9078 @itemx set print demangle on
9079 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9080 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9081 linkage. The default is on.
9082
9083 @item show print demangle
9084 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9085
9086 @item set print asm-demangle
9087 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9088 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9089 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9090 The default is off.
9091
9092 @item show print asm-demangle
9093 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9094 or demangled form.
9095
9096 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9097 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9098 @kindex set demangle-style
9099 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9100 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9101 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9102
9103 @table @code
9104 @item auto
9105 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9106 This is the default.
9107
9108 @item gnu
9109 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9110
9111 @item hp
9112 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9113
9114 @item lucid
9115 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9116
9117 @item arm
9118 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9119 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9120 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9121 require further enhancement to permit that.
9122
9123 @end table
9124 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9125
9126 @item show demangle-style
9127 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9128
9129 @item set print object
9130 @itemx set print object on
9131 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9132 @cindex display derived types
9133 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9134 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9135 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9136 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9137 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9138 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9139 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9140
9141 @item set print object off
9142 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9143 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9144
9145 @item show print object
9146 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9147
9148 @item set print static-members
9149 @itemx set print static-members on
9150 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9151 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9152
9153 @item set print static-members off
9154 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9155
9156 @item show print static-members
9157 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9158
9159 @item set print pascal_static-members
9160 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9161 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9162 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9163 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9164
9165 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9166 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9167
9168 @item show print pascal_static-members
9169 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9170
9171 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9172 @item set print vtbl
9173 @itemx set print vtbl on
9174 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9175 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9176 @cindex VTBL display
9177 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9178 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9179 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9180
9181 @item set print vtbl off
9182 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9183
9184 @item show print vtbl
9185 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9186 @end table
9187
9188 @node Pretty Printing
9189 @section Pretty Printing
9190
9191 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9192 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9193 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9194
9195 @menu
9196 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9197 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9198 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9199 @end menu
9200
9201 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9202 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9203
9204 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9205 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9206 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9207
9208 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9209 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9210 pretty-printers with their names.
9211 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9212 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9213 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9214 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9215
9216 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9217 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9218 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9219 do anything special.
9220
9221 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9222
9223 @itemize @bullet
9224 @item
9225 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9226 all inferiors.
9227
9228 @item
9229 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9230 when debugging that program.
9231 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9232
9233 @item
9234 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9235 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9236 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9237 @end itemize
9238
9239 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9240 pretty-printers are selected,
9241
9242 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9243 for new types.
9244
9245 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9246 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9247
9248 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9249
9250 @smallexample
9251 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9252 $1 = @{
9253 static npos = 4294967295,
9254 _M_dataplus = @{
9255 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9256 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9257 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9258 @},
9259 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9260 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9261 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9262 @}
9263 @}
9264 @end smallexample
9265
9266 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9267
9268 @smallexample
9269 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9270 $2 = "abcd"
9271 @end smallexample
9272
9273 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9274 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9275 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9276
9277 @table @code
9278 @kindex info pretty-printer
9279 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9280 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9281 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9282
9283 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9284 whose pretty-printers to list.
9285 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9286 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9287 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9288 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9289 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9290
9291 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9292 to list.
9293
9294 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9295 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9296 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9297 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9298
9299 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9300 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9301 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9302 @end table
9303
9304 Example:
9305
9306 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9307 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9308 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9309 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9310
9311 @smallexample
9312 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9313 library1.so:
9314 foo
9315 library2.so:
9316 bar
9317 bar1
9318 bar2
9319 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9320 library2.so:
9321 bar
9322 bar1
9323 bar2
9324 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9325 1 printer disabled
9326 2 of 3 printers enabled
9327 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9328 library1.so:
9329 foo [disabled]
9330 library2.so:
9331 bar
9332 bar1
9333 bar2
9334 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9335 1 printer disabled
9336 1 of 3 printers enabled
9337 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9338 library1.so:
9339 foo [disabled]
9340 library2.so:
9341 bar
9342 bar1 [disabled]
9343 bar2
9344 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9345 1 printer disabled
9346 0 of 3 printers enabled
9347 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9348 library1.so:
9349 foo [disabled]
9350 library2.so:
9351 bar [disabled]
9352 bar1 [disabled]
9353 bar2
9354 @end smallexample
9355
9356 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9357 as can each individual subprinter.
9358
9359 @node Value History
9360 @section Value History
9361
9362 @cindex value history
9363 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9364 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9365 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9366 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9367 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9368 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9369 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9370 symbol table.
9371
9372 @cindex @code{$}
9373 @cindex @code{$$}
9374 @cindex history number
9375 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9376 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9377 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9378 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9379 history number.
9380
9381 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9382 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9383 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9384 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9385 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9386 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9387 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9388
9389 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9390 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9391
9392 @smallexample
9393 p *$
9394 @end smallexample
9395
9396 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9397 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9398
9399 @smallexample
9400 p *$.next
9401 @end smallexample
9402
9403 @noindent
9404 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9405 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9406
9407 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9408 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9409
9410 @smallexample
9411 print x
9412 set x=5
9413 @end smallexample
9414
9415 @noindent
9416 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9417 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9418
9419 @table @code
9420 @kindex show values
9421 @item show values
9422 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9423 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9424 values} does not change the history.
9425
9426 @item show values @var{n}
9427 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9428
9429 @item show values +
9430 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9431 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9432 @end table
9433
9434 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9435 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9436
9437 @node Convenience Vars
9438 @section Convenience Variables
9439
9440 @cindex convenience variables
9441 @cindex user-defined variables
9442 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9443 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9444 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9445 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9446 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9447
9448 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9449 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9450 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9451 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9452 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9453
9454 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9455 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9456 For example:
9457
9458 @smallexample
9459 set $foo = *object_ptr
9460 @end smallexample
9461
9462 @noindent
9463 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9464 @code{object_ptr}.
9465
9466 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9467 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9468 value with another assignment at any time.
9469
9470 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9471 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9472 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9473 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9474
9475 @table @code
9476 @kindex show convenience
9477 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9478 @item show convenience
9479 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9480 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9481 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9482
9483 @kindex init-if-undefined
9484 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9485 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9486 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9487 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9488 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9489 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9490 override default values used in a command script.
9491
9492 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9493 any side-effects do not occur.
9494 @end table
9495
9496 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9497 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9498 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9499
9500 @smallexample
9501 set $i = 0
9502 print bar[$i++]->contents
9503 @end smallexample
9504
9505 @noindent
9506 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9507
9508 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9509 values likely to be useful.
9510
9511 @table @code
9512 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9513 @item $_
9514 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9515 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9516 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9517 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9518 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9519 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9520 to the type of @code{$__}.
9521
9522 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9523 @item $__
9524 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9525 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9526 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9527
9528 @item $_exitcode
9529 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9530 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9531 the program being debugged terminates.
9532
9533 @item $_exception
9534 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9535 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9536
9537 @item $_probe_argc
9538 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9539 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9540
9541 @item $_sdata
9542 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9543 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9544 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9545 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9546 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9547
9548 @item $_siginfo
9549 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9550 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9551 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9552 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9553 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9554
9555 @item $_tlb
9556 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9557 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9558 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9559 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9560 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9561 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9562
9563 @end table
9564
9565 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9566 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9567 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9568
9569 @node Convenience Funs
9570 @section Convenience Functions
9571
9572 @cindex convenience functions
9573 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9574 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9575 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9576 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9577 @value{GDBN}.
9578
9579 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9580 @code{Python} support.
9581
9582 @table @code
9583
9584 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9585 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9586 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9587 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9588 Otherwise it returns zero.
9589
9590 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9591 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9592 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9593 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9594 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9595 regular expression support.
9596
9597 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9598 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9599 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9600 Otherwise it returns zero.
9601
9602 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9603 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9604 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9605
9606 @end table
9607
9608 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9609 convenience functions.
9610
9611 @table @code
9612 @item help function
9613 @kindex help function
9614 @cindex show all convenience functions
9615 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9616 @end table
9617
9618 @node Registers
9619 @section Registers
9620
9621 @cindex registers
9622 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9623 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9624 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9625 your machine.
9626
9627 @table @code
9628 @kindex info registers
9629 @item info registers
9630 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9631 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9632
9633 @kindex info all-registers
9634 @cindex floating point registers
9635 @item info all-registers
9636 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9637 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9638
9639 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9640 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9641 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9642 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9643 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9644 @end table
9645
9646 @cindex stack pointer register
9647 @cindex program counter register
9648 @cindex process status register
9649 @cindex frame pointer register
9650 @cindex standard registers
9651 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9652 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9653 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9654 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9655 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9656 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9657 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9658 you could print the program counter in hex with
9659
9660 @smallexample
9661 p/x $pc
9662 @end smallexample
9663
9664 @noindent
9665 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9666
9667 @smallexample
9668 x/i $pc
9669 @end smallexample
9670
9671 @noindent
9672 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9673 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9674 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9675 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9676 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9677 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9678 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9679
9680 @smallexample
9681 set $sp += 4
9682 @end smallexample
9683
9684 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9685 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9686 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9687 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9688 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9689 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9690 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9691
9692 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9693 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9694 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9695 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9696 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9697 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9698 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9699
9700 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9701 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9702 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9703 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9704 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9705 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9706 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9707 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9708 prints the data in both formats.
9709
9710 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9711 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9712 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9713 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9714 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9715 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9716 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9717
9718 @smallexample
9719 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9720 $1 = @{
9721 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9722 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9723 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9724 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9725 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9726 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9727 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9728 @}
9729 @end smallexample
9730
9731 @noindent
9732 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9733 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9734 value to a @code{struct} member:
9735
9736 @smallexample
9737 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9738 @end smallexample
9739
9740 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9741 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9742 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9743 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9744 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9745 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9746
9747 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9748 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9749 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9750 frame makes no difference.
9751
9752 @node Floating Point Hardware
9753 @section Floating Point Hardware
9754 @cindex floating point
9755
9756 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9757 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9758
9759 @table @code
9760 @kindex info float
9761 @item info float
9762 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9763 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9764 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9765 the ARM and x86 machines.
9766 @end table
9767
9768 @node Vector Unit
9769 @section Vector Unit
9770 @cindex vector unit
9771
9772 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9773 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9774
9775 @table @code
9776 @kindex info vector
9777 @item info vector
9778 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9779 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9780 @end table
9781
9782 @node OS Information
9783 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9784 @cindex OS information
9785
9786 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9787 you debug your program.
9788
9789 @cindex auxiliary vector
9790 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9791 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9792 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9793 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9794 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9795 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9796 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9797 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9798 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9799 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9800 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9801 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9802
9803 @table @code
9804 @kindex info auxv
9805 @item info auxv
9806 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9807 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9808 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9809 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9810 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9811 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9812 an unrecognized tag.
9813 @end table
9814
9815 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9816 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9817 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9818 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9819 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9820 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9821 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9822
9823 @table @code
9824 @kindex info os
9825 @item info os @var{infotype}
9826
9827 Display OS information of the requested type.
9828
9829 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9830
9831 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9832 @table @code
9833 @kindex info os processes
9834 @item processes
9835 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9836 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9837 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9838 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9839 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9840 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9841
9842 @kindex info os procgroups
9843 @item procgroups
9844 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9845 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9846 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9847 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9848 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9849 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9850 and the process group leader is listed first.
9851
9852 @kindex info os threads
9853 @item threads
9854 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9855 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9856 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9857 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9858 process is not listed.
9859
9860 @kindex info os files
9861 @item files
9862 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9863 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9864 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9865 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9866
9867 @kindex info os sockets
9868 @item sockets
9869 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9870 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9871 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9872 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9873 connection.
9874
9875 @kindex info os shm
9876 @item shm
9877 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9878 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9879 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9880 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9881 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9882 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9883 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9884
9885 @kindex info os semaphores
9886 @item semaphores
9887 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9888 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9889 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9890 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9891 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9892
9893 @kindex info os msg
9894 @item msg
9895 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9896 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9897 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9898 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9899 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9900 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9901 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9902 the message queue was last changed.
9903
9904 @kindex info os modules
9905 @item modules
9906 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9907 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9908 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9909 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9910 in memory.
9911 @end table
9912
9913 @item info os
9914 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9915 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9916 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9917 types, this command will report an error.
9918 @end table
9919
9920 @node Memory Region Attributes
9921 @section Memory Region Attributes
9922 @cindex memory region attributes
9923
9924 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9925 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9926 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9927 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9928 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9929 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9930 user can override the fetched regions.
9931
9932 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9933 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9934 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9935 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9936 all memory.
9937
9938 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9939 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9940
9941 @table @code
9942 @kindex mem
9943 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9944 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9945 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9946 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9947 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9948 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9949
9950 @item mem auto
9951 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9952 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9953
9954 @kindex delete mem
9955 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9956 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9957 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9958
9959 @kindex disable mem
9960 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9961 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9962 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9963 It may be enabled again later.
9964
9965 @kindex enable mem
9966 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9967 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9968
9969 @kindex info mem
9970 @item info mem
9971 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9972 for each region:
9973
9974 @table @emph
9975 @item Memory Region Number
9976 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9977 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9978 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9979
9980 @item Lo Address
9981 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9982
9983 @item Hi Address
9984 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9985
9986 @item Attributes
9987 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9988 @end table
9989 @end table
9990
9991
9992 @subsection Attributes
9993
9994 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9995 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9996 write accesses to a memory region.
9997
9998 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9999 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10000 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10001
10002 @table @code
10003 @item ro
10004 Memory is read only.
10005 @item wo
10006 Memory is write only.
10007 @item rw
10008 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10009 @end table
10010
10011 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10012 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10013 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10014 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10015 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10016
10017 @table @code
10018 @item 8
10019 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10020 @item 16
10021 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10022 @item 32
10023 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10024 @item 64
10025 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10026 @end table
10027
10028 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10029 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10030 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10031 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10032 @c
10033 @c @table @code
10034 @c @item hwbreak
10035 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10036 @c @item swbreak (default)
10037 @c @end table
10038
10039 @subsubsection Data Cache
10040 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10041 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10042 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10043 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10044 registers.
10045
10046 @table @code
10047 @item cache
10048 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10049 @item nocache
10050 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10051 @end table
10052
10053 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10054 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10055 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10056 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10057 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10058
10059 @table @code
10060 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10061 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10062 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10063 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10064 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10065 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10066 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10067 The default value is @code{on}.
10068 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10069 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10070 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10071 @end table
10072
10073
10074 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10075 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10076 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10077 @c
10078 @c @table @code
10079 @c @item verify
10080 @c @item noverify (default)
10081 @c @end table
10082
10083 @node Dump/Restore Files
10084 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10085 @cindex dump/restore files
10086 @cindex append data to a file
10087 @cindex dump data to a file
10088 @cindex restore data from a file
10089
10090 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10091 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10092 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10093 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10094 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10095 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10096 files.
10097
10098 @table @code
10099
10100 @kindex dump
10101 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10102 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10103 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10104 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10105
10106 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10107 @table @code
10108 @item binary
10109 Raw binary form.
10110 @item ihex
10111 Intel hex format.
10112 @item srec
10113 Motorola S-record format.
10114 @item tekhex
10115 Tektronix Hex format.
10116 @end table
10117
10118 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10119 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10120 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10121 form.
10122
10123 @kindex append
10124 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10125 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10126 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10127 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10128 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10129
10130 @kindex restore
10131 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10132 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10133 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10134 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10135 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10136
10137 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10138 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10139 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10140 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10141 from that location.
10142
10143 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10144 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10145 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10146 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10147
10148 @end table
10149
10150 @node Core File Generation
10151 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10152 @cindex dump core from inferior
10153
10154 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10155 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10156 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10157 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10158 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10159 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10160 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10161
10162 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10163 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10164 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10165
10166 @table @code
10167 @kindex gcore
10168 @kindex generate-core-file
10169 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10170 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10171 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10172 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10173 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10174 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10175
10176 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10177 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10178 @end table
10179
10180 @node Character Sets
10181 @section Character Sets
10182 @cindex character sets
10183 @cindex charset
10184 @cindex translating between character sets
10185 @cindex host character set
10186 @cindex target character set
10187
10188 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10189 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10190 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10191 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10192 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10193 @dfn{target character set}.
10194
10195 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10196 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10197 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10198 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10199 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10200 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10201 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10202 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10203 character and string literals in expressions.
10204
10205 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10206 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10207 target-charset} command, described below.
10208
10209 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10210 support:
10211
10212 @table @code
10213 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10214 @kindex set target-charset
10215 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10216 list of supported target character sets, type
10217 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10218
10219 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10220 @kindex set host-charset
10221 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10222
10223 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10224 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10225 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10226 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10227 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10228
10229 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10230 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10231 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10232
10233 @item set charset @var{charset}
10234 @kindex set charset
10235 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10236 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10237 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10238 for both host and target.
10239
10240 @item show charset
10241 @kindex show charset
10242 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10243
10244 @item show host-charset
10245 @kindex show host-charset
10246 Show the name of the current host character set.
10247
10248 @item show target-charset
10249 @kindex show target-charset
10250 Show the name of the current target character set.
10251
10252 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10253 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10254 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10255 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10256 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10257 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10258
10259 @item show target-wide-charset
10260 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10261 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10262 @end table
10263
10264 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10265 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10266 @file{charset-test.c}:
10267
10268 @smallexample
10269 #include <stdio.h>
10270
10271 char ascii_hello[]
10272 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10273 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10274 char ibm1047_hello[]
10275 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10276 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10277
10278 main ()
10279 @{
10280 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10281 @}
10282 @end smallexample
10283
10284 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10285 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10286 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10287
10288 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10289
10290 @smallexample
10291 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10292 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10293 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10294 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10295 @dots{}
10296 (@value{GDBP})
10297 @end smallexample
10298
10299 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10300 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10301 strings:
10302
10303 @smallexample
10304 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10305 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10306 (@value{GDBP})
10307 @end smallexample
10308
10309 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10310 initial character set:
10311 @smallexample
10312 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10313 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10314 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10315 (@value{GDBP})
10316 @end smallexample
10317
10318 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10319 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10320 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10321 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10322 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10323
10324 @smallexample
10325 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10326 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10327 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10328 $2 = 72 'H'
10329 (@value{GDBP})
10330 @end smallexample
10331
10332 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10333 literals you use in expressions:
10334
10335 @smallexample
10336 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10337 $3 = 43 '+'
10338 (@value{GDBP})
10339 @end smallexample
10340
10341 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10342 character.
10343
10344 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10345 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10346 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10347
10348 @smallexample
10349 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10350 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10351 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10352 $5 = 200 '\310'
10353 (@value{GDBP})
10354 @end smallexample
10355
10356 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10357 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10358
10359 @smallexample
10360 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10361 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10362 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10363 @end smallexample
10364
10365 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10366 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10367 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10368 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10369 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10370
10371 @smallexample
10372 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10373 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10374 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10375 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10376 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10377 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10378 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10379 $7 = 72 '\110'
10380 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10381 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10382 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10383 $9 = 200 'H'
10384 (@value{GDBP})
10385 @end smallexample
10386
10387 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10388 string literals you use in expressions:
10389
10390 @smallexample
10391 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10392 $10 = 78 '+'
10393 (@value{GDBP})
10394 @end smallexample
10395
10396 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10397 character.
10398
10399 @node Caching Remote Data
10400 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10401 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10402
10403 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10404 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10405 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10406 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10407 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10408 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10409 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10410 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10411 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10412 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10413 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10414 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10415 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10416 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10417 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10418
10419 @table @code
10420 @kindex set remotecache
10421 @item set remotecache on
10422 @itemx set remotecache off
10423 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10424 with old scripts.
10425
10426 @kindex show remotecache
10427 @item show remotecache
10428 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10429
10430 @kindex set stack-cache
10431 @item set stack-cache on
10432 @itemx set stack-cache off
10433 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10434 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10435
10436 @kindex show stack-cache
10437 @item show stack-cache
10438 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10439
10440 @kindex info dcache
10441 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10442 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10443 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10444 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10445 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10446 operation.
10447
10448 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10449 printed in hex.
10450
10451 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10452 @cindex dcache size
10453 @kindex set dcache size
10454 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10455
10456 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10457 @cindex dcache line-size
10458 @kindex set dcache line-size
10459 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10460 Must be a power of 2.
10461
10462 @item show dcache size
10463 @kindex show dcache size
10464 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10465
10466 @item show dcache line-size
10467 @kindex show dcache line-size
10468 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10469
10470 @end table
10471
10472 @node Searching Memory
10473 @section Search Memory
10474 @cindex searching memory
10475
10476 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10477 @code{find} command.
10478
10479 @table @code
10480 @kindex find
10481 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10482 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10483 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10484 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10485 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10486 @end table
10487
10488 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10489 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10490
10491 @table @r
10492 @item @var{s}, search query size
10493 The size of each search query value.
10494
10495 @table @code
10496 @item b
10497 bytes
10498 @item h
10499 halfwords (two bytes)
10500 @item w
10501 words (four bytes)
10502 @item g
10503 giant words (eight bytes)
10504 @end table
10505
10506 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10507 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10508 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10509
10510 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10511 value's type in the current language.
10512 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10513 pattern as a mixture of types.
10514 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10515 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10516 which is typically four bytes.
10517
10518 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10519 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10520 @end table
10521
10522 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10523 (@code{"}).
10524 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10525 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10526
10527 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10528 number of matches found.
10529
10530 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10531 @samp{$_}.
10532 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10533
10534 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10535
10536 @smallexample
10537 void
10538 hello ()
10539 @{
10540 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10541 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10542 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10543 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10544 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10545 @}
10546 @end smallexample
10547
10548 @noindent
10549 you get during debugging:
10550
10551 @smallexample
10552 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10553 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10554 1 pattern found
10555 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10556 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10557 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10558 2 patterns found
10559 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10560 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10561 1 pattern found
10562 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10563 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10564 1 pattern found
10565 (gdb) print $numfound
10566 $1 = 1
10567 (gdb) print $_
10568 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10569 @end smallexample
10570
10571 @node Optimized Code
10572 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10573 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10574 @cindex debugging optimized code
10575
10576 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10577 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10578 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10579 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10580 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10581 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10582 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10583
10584 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10585 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10586 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10587 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10588
10589 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10590 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10591 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10592 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10593 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10594 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10595
10596 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10597 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10598 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10599 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10600 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10601
10602 @menu
10603 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10604 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10605 @end menu
10606
10607 @node Inline Functions
10608 @section Inline Functions
10609 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10610
10611 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10612 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10613 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10614 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10615 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10616 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10617 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10618 @code{info frame} command.
10619
10620 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10621 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10622 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10623 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10624 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10625 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10626 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10627 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10628 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10629 local variables in the caller.
10630
10631 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10632 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10633 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10634 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10635 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10636 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10637 instructions are executed.
10638
10639 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10640 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10641 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10642 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10643
10644 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10645 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10646
10647 @itemize @bullet
10648 @item
10649 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10650 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10651 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10652 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10653 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10654 or inside the inlined function instead.
10655
10656 @item
10657 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10658 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10659 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10660 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10661
10662 @end itemize
10663
10664 @node Tail Call Frames
10665 @section Tail Call Frames
10666 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10667
10668 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10669 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10670 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10671 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10672 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10673
10674 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10675 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10676 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10677 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10678 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10679 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10680 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10681
10682 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10683 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10684 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10685 this information.
10686
10687 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10688 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10689
10690 @smallexample
10691 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10692 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10693 (gdb) info frame
10694 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10695 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10696 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10697 source language c++.
10698 Arglist at unknown address.
10699 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10700 @end smallexample
10701
10702 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10703 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10704 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10705 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10706 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10707 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10708
10709 @table @code
10710 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10711 @item set debug entry-values
10712 @kindex set debug entry-values
10713 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10714 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10715 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10716 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10717 result.
10718
10719 @item show debug entry-values
10720 @kindex show debug entry-values
10721 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10722 values at function entry and tail calls.
10723 @end table
10724
10725 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10726 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10727 reference by variable @code{x}):
10728
10729 @smallexample
10730 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10731 void (*x) (void) = c;
10732 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10733 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10734 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10735
10736 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10737 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10738 a () at t.c:3
10739 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10740 (gdb) bt
10741 #0 a () at t.c:3
10742 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10743 @end smallexample
10744
10745 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10746
10747 @smallexample
10748 int i;
10749 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10750 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10751 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10752 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10753 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10754 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10755 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10756 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10757
10758 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10759 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10760 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10761 (gdb) bt
10762 #0 f () at t.c:2
10763 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10764 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10765 @end smallexample
10766
10767 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10768 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10769
10770 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10771 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10772 @set ARROW @click{}
10773 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10774 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10775 @end ifset
10776 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10777 @set ARROW ->
10778 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10779 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10780 @end ifclear
10781
10782 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10783 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10784 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10785
10786 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10787 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10788 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10789 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10790 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10791 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10792
10793 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10794 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10795 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10796 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10797 omitted.
10798
10799 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10800 entry may fail:
10801
10802 @smallexample
10803 int v;
10804 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10805 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10806 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10807 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10808 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10809 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10810
10811 (gdb) bt
10812 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10813 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10814 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10815 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10816 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10817 @end smallexample
10818
10819 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10820 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10821 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10822 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10823 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10824
10825 @node Macros
10826 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10827
10828 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10829 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10830 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10831 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10832 where it was defined.
10833
10834 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10835 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10836 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10837 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10838
10839 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10840 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10841 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10842 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10843 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10844 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10845 see @ref{List}.
10846
10847 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10848 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10849 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10850
10851 @table @code
10852
10853 @kindex macro expand
10854 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10855 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10856 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10857 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10858 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10859 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10860 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10861 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10862 it can be any string of tokens.
10863
10864 @kindex macro exp1
10865 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10866 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10867 @cindex expand macro once
10868 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10869 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10870 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10871 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10872 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10873 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10874 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10875 can be any string of tokens.
10876
10877 @kindex info macro
10878 @cindex macro definition, showing
10879 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10880 @cindex macros, from debug info
10881 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10882 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10883 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10884 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10885 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10886 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10887
10888 @kindex info macros
10889 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10890 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10891 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10892 command-line where those definitions were established.
10893
10894 @kindex macro define
10895 @cindex user-defined macros
10896 @cindex defining macros interactively
10897 @cindex macros, user-defined
10898 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10899 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10900 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10901 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10902 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10903 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10904 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10905 @var{arglist}.
10906
10907 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10908 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10909 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10910 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10911 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10912
10913 @kindex macro undef
10914 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10915 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10916 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10917 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10918 in the program being debugged.
10919
10920 @kindex macro list
10921 @item macro list
10922 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10923 @end table
10924
10925 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10926 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10927 show our source files:
10928
10929 @smallexample
10930 $ cat sample.c
10931 #include <stdio.h>
10932 #include "sample.h"
10933
10934 #define M 42
10935 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10936
10937 main ()
10938 @{
10939 #define N 28
10940 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10941 #undef N
10942 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10943 #define N 1729
10944 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10945 @}
10946 $ cat sample.h
10947 #define Q <
10948 $
10949 @end smallexample
10950
10951 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10952 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10953 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10954 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10955 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10956 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10957 information.
10958
10959 @smallexample
10960 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10961 $
10962 @end smallexample
10963
10964 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10965
10966 @smallexample
10967 $ gdb -nw sample
10968 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10969 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10970 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10971 (@value{GDBP})
10972 @end smallexample
10973
10974 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10975 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10976 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10977
10978 @smallexample
10979 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10980 3
10981 4 #define M 42
10982 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10983 6
10984 7 main ()
10985 8 @{
10986 9 #define N 28
10987 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10988 11 #undef N
10989 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10990 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10991 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10992 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10993 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10994 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10995 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10996 #define Q <
10997 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10998 expands to: (42 + 1)
10999 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11000 expands to: once (M + 1)
11001 (@value{GDBP})
11002 @end smallexample
11003
11004 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11005 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11006 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11007 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11008
11009 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11010 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11011
11012 @smallexample
11013 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11014 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11015 (@value{GDBP}) run
11016 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11017
11018 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11019 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11020 (@value{GDBP})
11021 @end smallexample
11022
11023 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11024
11025 @smallexample
11026 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11027 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11028 #define N 28
11029 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11030 expands to: 28 < 42
11031 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11032 $1 = 1
11033 (@value{GDBP})
11034 @end smallexample
11035
11036 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11037 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11038 thereof) in force at each point:
11039
11040 @smallexample
11041 (@value{GDBP}) next
11042 Hello, world!
11043 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11044 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11045 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11046 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11047 (@value{GDBP}) next
11048 We're so creative.
11049 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11050 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11051 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11052 #define N 1729
11053 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11054 expands to: 1729 < 42
11055 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11056 $2 = 0
11057 (@value{GDBP})
11058 @end smallexample
11059
11060 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11061 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11062 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11063 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11064
11065 @smallexample
11066 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11067 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11068 -D__STDC__=1
11069 (@value{GDBP})
11070 @end smallexample
11071
11072
11073 @node Tracepoints
11074 @chapter Tracepoints
11075 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11076 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11077
11078 @cindex tracepoints
11079 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11080 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11081 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11082 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11083 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11084 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11085 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11086
11087 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11088 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11089 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11090 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11091 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11092 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11093 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11094 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11095 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11096 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11097 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11098
11099 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11100 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11101 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11102 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11103 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11104 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11105 Packets}.
11106
11107 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11108 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11109 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11110
11111 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11112
11113 @menu
11114 * Set Tracepoints::
11115 * Analyze Collected Data::
11116 * Tracepoint Variables::
11117 * Trace Files::
11118 @end menu
11119
11120 @node Set Tracepoints
11121 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11122
11123 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11124 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11125 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11126 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11127 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11128 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11129 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11130
11131 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11132 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11133 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11134 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11135 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11136 tracepoint was hit.
11137
11138 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11139 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11140 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11141 either.
11142
11143 @cindex fast tracepoints
11144 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11145 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11146 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11147
11148 @cindex static tracepoints
11149 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11150 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11151 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11152 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11153 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11154 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11155 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11156 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11157 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11158 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11159 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11160 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11161 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11162 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11163 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11164 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11165 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11166 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11167 static tracepoint marker.
11168
11169 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11170 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11171
11172 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11173 conditions and actions.
11174
11175 @menu
11176 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11177 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11178 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11179 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11180 * Trace State Variables::
11181 * Tracepoint Actions::
11182 * Listing Tracepoints::
11183 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11184 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11185 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11186 @end menu
11187
11188 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11189 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11190
11191 @table @code
11192 @cindex set tracepoint
11193 @kindex trace
11194 @item trace @var{location}
11195 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11196 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11197 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11198 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11199 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11200 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11201 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11202 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11203 in tracing}).
11204 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11205 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11206 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11207 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11208 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11209 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11210 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11211 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11212 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11213 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11214 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11215 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11216
11217 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11218
11219 @smallexample
11220 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11221
11222 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11223
11224 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11225
11226 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11227
11228 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11229 @end smallexample
11230
11231 @noindent
11232 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11233
11234 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11235 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11236 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11237 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11238 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11239 information on tracepoint conditions.
11240
11241 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11242 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11243 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11244 @kindex ftrace
11245 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11246 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11247 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11248 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11249 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11250 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11251 message.
11252
11253 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11254 @code{trace}.
11255
11256 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11257 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11258 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11259 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11260 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11261 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11262 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11263 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11264
11265 @example
11266 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11267 @end example
11268
11269 @noindent
11270 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11271 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11272
11273 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11274 @cindex set static tracepoint
11275 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11276 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11277 @kindex strace
11278 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11279 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11280 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11281 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11282 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11283
11284 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11285 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11286 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11287 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11288 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11289 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11290 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11291 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11292 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11293 tracing engine:
11294
11295 @smallexample
11296 main ()
11297 @{
11298 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11299 @}
11300 @end smallexample
11301
11302 @noindent
11303 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11304 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11305
11306 @smallexample
11307 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11308 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11309 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11310 Data: "str %s"
11311 [etc...]
11312 @end smallexample
11313
11314 @noindent
11315 so you may probe the marker above with:
11316
11317 @smallexample
11318 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11319 @end smallexample
11320
11321 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11322 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11323 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11324 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11325 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11326 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11327 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11328 the @samp{Data:} field.
11329
11330 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11331 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11332 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11333
11334 @vindex $tpnum
11335 @cindex last tracepoint number
11336 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11337 @cindex tracepoint number
11338 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11339 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11340
11341 @kindex delete tracepoint
11342 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11343 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11344 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11345 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11346 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11347
11348 Examples:
11349
11350 @smallexample
11351 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11352
11353 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11354 @end smallexample
11355
11356 @noindent
11357 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11358 @end table
11359
11360 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11361 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11362
11363 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11364
11365 @table @code
11366 @kindex disable tracepoint
11367 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11368 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11369 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11370 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11371 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11372 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11373 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11374 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11375 next trace experiment.
11376
11377 @kindex enable tracepoint
11378 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11379 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11380 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11381 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11382 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11383 next time a trace experiment is run.
11384 @end table
11385
11386 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11387 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11388
11389 @table @code
11390 @kindex passcount
11391 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11392 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11393 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11394 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11395 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11396 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11397 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11398 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11399 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11400 user.
11401
11402 Examples:
11403
11404 @smallexample
11405 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11406 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11407
11408 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11409 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11410 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11411 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11412 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11413 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11414 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11415 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11416 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11417 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11418 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11419 @end smallexample
11420 @end table
11421
11422 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11423 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11424 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11425 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11426
11427 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11428 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11429 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11430 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11431 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11432 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11433 is true.
11434
11435 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11436 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11437 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11438 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11439 just as with breakpoints.
11440
11441 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11442 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11443 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11444 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11445 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11446 accesses, and so forth.
11447
11448 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11449 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11450 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11451 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11452 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11453 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11454 search through.
11455
11456 @smallexample
11457 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11458 @end smallexample
11459
11460 @node Trace State Variables
11461 @subsection Trace State Variables
11462 @cindex trace state variables
11463
11464 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11465 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11466 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11467 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11468 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11469 integers.
11470
11471 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11472 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11473 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11474 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11475
11476 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11477 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11478 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11479 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11480 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11481 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11482 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11483 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11484 variable with the same name.
11485
11486 @table @code
11487
11488 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11489 @kindex tvariable
11490 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11491 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11492 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11493 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11494 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11495 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11496 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11497 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11498 value. The default initial value is 0.
11499
11500 @item info tvariables
11501 @kindex info tvariables
11502 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11503 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11504 currently running.
11505
11506 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11507 @kindex delete tvariable
11508 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11509 are specified.
11510
11511 @end table
11512
11513 @node Tracepoint Actions
11514 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11515
11516 @table @code
11517 @kindex actions
11518 @cindex tracepoint actions
11519 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11520 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11521 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11522 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11523 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11524 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11525 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11526 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11527 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11528 @code{while-stepping}.
11529
11530 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11531 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11532 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11533
11534 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11535 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11536 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11537
11538 @smallexample
11539 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11540
11541 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11542
11543 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11544 @end smallexample
11545
11546 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11547 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11548 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11549 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11550 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11551 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11552 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11553 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11554
11555 @smallexample
11556 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11557 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11558 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11559 > collect bar,baz
11560 > collect $regs
11561 > while-stepping 12
11562 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11563 > end
11564 end
11565 @end smallexample
11566
11567 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11568 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11569 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11570 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11571 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11572 special arguments are supported:
11573
11574 @table @code
11575 @item $regs
11576 Collect all registers.
11577
11578 @item $args
11579 Collect all function arguments.
11580
11581 @item $locals
11582 Collect all local variables.
11583
11584 @item $_ret
11585 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11586 of a backtrace.
11587
11588 @item $_probe_argc
11589 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11590 tracepoint is located.
11591 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11592
11593 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11594 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11595 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11596 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11597
11598 @item $_sdata
11599 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11600 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11601 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11602 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11603 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11604 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11605 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11606 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11607 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11608
11609 @smallexample
11610 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11611 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11612 @end smallexample
11613
11614 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11615 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11616 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11617 @value{GDBN}.
11618 @end table
11619
11620 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11621 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11622 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11623
11624 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11625 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11626 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11627 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11628 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11629 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11630 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11631 @samp{mystr}.
11632
11633 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11634 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11635
11636 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11637 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11638 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11639 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11640 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11641 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11642 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11643 action were used.
11644
11645 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11646 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11647 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11648 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11649 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11650 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11651
11652 @smallexample
11653 > while-stepping 12
11654 > collect $regs, myglobal
11655 > end
11656 >
11657 @end smallexample
11658
11659 @noindent
11660 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11661 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11662 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11663 @code{stepping}.
11664
11665 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11666 @kindex set default-collect
11667 @cindex default collection action
11668 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11669 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11670 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11671 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11672 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11673 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11674
11675 @item show default-collect
11676 @kindex show default-collect
11677 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11678 tracepoint hit.
11679
11680 @end table
11681
11682 @node Listing Tracepoints
11683 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11684
11685 @table @code
11686 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11687 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11688 @cindex information about tracepoints
11689 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11690 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11691 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11692 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11693 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11694 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11695
11696 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11697 tracing:
11698
11699 @itemize @bullet
11700 @item
11701 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11702
11703 @item
11704 the state about installed on target of each location
11705 @end itemize
11706
11707 @smallexample
11708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11709 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11710 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11711 while-stepping 20
11712 collect globfoo, $regs
11713 end
11714 collect globfoo2
11715 end
11716 pass count 1200
11717 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11718 collect $eip
11719 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11720 installed on target
11721 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11722 installed on target
11723 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11724 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11725 not installed on target
11726 (@value{GDBP})
11727 @end smallexample
11728
11729 @noindent
11730 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11731 @end table
11732
11733 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11734 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11735
11736 @table @code
11737 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11738 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11739 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11740 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11741 program.
11742
11743 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11744
11745 @table @emph
11746 @item Count
11747 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11748 stable identifier.
11749 @item ID
11750 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11751 @item Enabled or Disabled
11752 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11753 that are not enabled.
11754 @item Address
11755 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11756 @item What
11757 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11758 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11759 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11760 will be left blank.
11761 @end table
11762
11763 @noindent
11764 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11765
11766 @table @emph
11767 @item Data
11768 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11769 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11770 marker call.
11771 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11772 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11773 @end table
11774
11775 @smallexample
11776 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11777 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11778 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11779 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11780 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11781 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11782 Data: str %s
11783 (@value{GDBP})
11784 @end smallexample
11785 @end table
11786
11787 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11788 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11789
11790 @table @code
11791 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11792 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11793 @cindex collected data discarded
11794 @item tstart
11795 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11796 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11797 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11798 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11799 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11800 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11801 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11802 information, and so forth.
11803
11804 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11805 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11806 @item tstop
11807 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11808 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11809 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11810 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11811 needs to be stopped quickly.
11812
11813 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11814 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11815 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11816
11817 @kindex tstatus
11818 @cindex status of trace data collection
11819 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11820 @item tstatus
11821 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11822 collection.
11823 @end table
11824
11825 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11826
11827 @smallexample
11828 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11829 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11830 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11831 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11832 > while-stepping 11
11833 > collect $regs
11834 > end
11835 > end
11836 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11837 [time passes @dots{}]
11838 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11839 @end smallexample
11840
11841 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11842 @cindex disconnected tracing
11843 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11844 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11845 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11846 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11847 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11848 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11849 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11850 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11851
11852 @table @code
11853 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11854 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11855 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11856 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11857 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11858 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11859 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11860 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11861
11862 @item show disconnected-tracing
11863 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11864 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11865
11866 @end table
11867
11868 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11869 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11870 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11871 it will continue after reconnection.
11872
11873 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11874 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11875 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11876 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11877 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11878 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11879 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11880 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11881 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11882 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11883
11884 @cindex circular trace buffer
11885 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11886 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11887 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11888 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11889 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11890 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11891 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11892 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11893 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11894 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11895 the next run.
11896
11897 @table @code
11898 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11899 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11900 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11901 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11902 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11903 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11904 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11905
11906 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11907 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11908 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11909 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11910 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11911 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11912
11913 @end table
11914
11915 @table @code
11916 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
11917 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
11918 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
11919 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
11920 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
11921 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
11922 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
11923 likes. This is also the default.
11924
11925 @item show trace-buffer-size
11926 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
11927 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
11928 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
11929 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
11930 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
11931 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
11932 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
11933 @end table
11934
11935 @table @code
11936 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11937 @kindex set trace-user
11938
11939 @item show trace-user
11940 @kindex show trace-user
11941
11942 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11943 @kindex set trace-notes
11944 Set the trace run's notes.
11945
11946 @item show trace-notes
11947 @kindex show trace-notes
11948 Show the trace run's notes.
11949
11950 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11951 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11952 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11953 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11954 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11955
11956 @item show trace-stop-notes
11957 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11958 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11959
11960 @end table
11961
11962 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11963 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11964
11965 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11966 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11967 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11968 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11969 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11970 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11971 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11972 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11973 mentioned here.
11974
11975 @itemize @bullet
11976
11977 @item
11978 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11979 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11980 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11981 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11982 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11983 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11984 cannot be collected either.
11985
11986 @item
11987 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11988 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11989 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11990 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11991 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11992 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11993 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11994 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11995 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11996 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11997
11998 @item
11999 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12000 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12001 in a misleading way.
12002
12003 @item
12004 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12005 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12006 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12007 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12008 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12009 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12010 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12011 by @code{ptr}.
12012
12013 @item
12014 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12015 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12016 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12017 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12018 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12019 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12020 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12021 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12022 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12023 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12024 invalid address.
12025
12026 @item
12027 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12028 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12029 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12030 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12031 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12032 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12033 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12034 it to zero.
12035
12036 @end itemize
12037
12038 @node Analyze Collected Data
12039 @section Using the Collected Data
12040
12041 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12042 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12043 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12044 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12045 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12046 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12047 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12048 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12049 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12050 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12051 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12052 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12053 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12054 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12055 the buffer will fail.
12056
12057 @menu
12058 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12059 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12060 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12061 @end menu
12062
12063 @node tfind
12064 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12065
12066 @kindex tfind
12067 @cindex select trace snapshot
12068 @cindex find trace snapshot
12069 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12070 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12071 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12072 snapshot is selected.
12073
12074 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12075
12076 @table @code
12077 @item tfind start
12078 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12079 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12080
12081 @item tfind none
12082 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12083
12084 @item tfind end
12085 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12086
12087 @item tfind
12088 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12089
12090 @item tfind -
12091 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12092 retracing earlier steps.
12093
12094 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12095 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12096 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12097 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12098 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12099
12100 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12101 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12102 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12103 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12104 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12105
12106 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12107 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12108 addresses (exclusive).
12109
12110 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12111 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12112 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12113
12114 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12115 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12116 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12117 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12118 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12119 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12120 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12121 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12122 @end table
12123
12124 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12125 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12126 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12127 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12128 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12129 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12130 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12131 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12132 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12133 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12134 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12135 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12136 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12137 tracepoint as the current one.
12138
12139 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12140 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12141 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12142 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12143 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12144
12145 @smallexample
12146 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12147 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12148 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12149 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12150 > tfind
12151 > end
12152
12153 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12154 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12155 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12156 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12157 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12158 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12159 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12160 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12161 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12162 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12163 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12164 @end smallexample
12165
12166 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12167 the buffer:
12168
12169 @smallexample
12170 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12171 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12172 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12173 > tfind line
12174 > end
12175
12176 Frame 0, X = 1
12177 Frame 7, X = 2
12178 Frame 13, X = 255
12179 @end smallexample
12180
12181 @node tdump
12182 @subsection @code{tdump}
12183 @kindex tdump
12184 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12185 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12186
12187 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12188 the current trace snapshot.
12189
12190 @smallexample
12191 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12192 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12193 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12194 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12195 > end
12196
12197 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12198
12199 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12200 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12201 at gdb_test.c:444
12202 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12203
12204 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12205 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12206 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12207 d1 0x18 24
12208 d2 0x80 128
12209 d3 0x33 51
12210 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12211 d5 0x22 34
12212 d6 0xe0 224
12213 d7 0x380035 3670069
12214 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12215 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12216 a2 0x100 256
12217 a3 0x322000 3284992
12218 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12219 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12220 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12221 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12222 ps 0x0 0
12223 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12224 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12225 fpstatus 0x0 0
12226 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12227 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12228 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12229 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12230 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12231 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12232 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12233 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12234 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12235
12236 (@value{GDBP})
12237 @end smallexample
12238
12239 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12240 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12241 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12242 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12243
12244 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12245 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12246 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12247 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12248 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12249 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12250 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12251 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12252 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12253 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12254
12255 @node save tracepoints
12256 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12257 @kindex save tracepoints
12258 @kindex save-tracepoints
12259 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12260
12261 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12262 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12263 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12264 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12265 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12266 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12267
12268 @node Tracepoint Variables
12269 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12270 @cindex tracepoint variables
12271 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12272
12273 @table @code
12274 @vindex $trace_frame
12275 @item (int) $trace_frame
12276 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12277 snapshot is selected.
12278
12279 @vindex $tracepoint
12280 @item (int) $tracepoint
12281 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12282
12283 @vindex $trace_line
12284 @item (int) $trace_line
12285 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12286
12287 @vindex $trace_file
12288 @item (char []) $trace_file
12289 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12290
12291 @vindex $trace_func
12292 @item (char []) $trace_func
12293 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12294 @end table
12295
12296 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12297 use @code{output} instead.
12298
12299 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12300 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12301 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12302 which are managed by the target.
12303
12304 @smallexample
12305 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12306
12307 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12308 > output $trace_file
12309 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12310 > tfind
12311 > end
12312 @end smallexample
12313
12314 @node Trace Files
12315 @section Using Trace Files
12316 @cindex trace files
12317
12318 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12319 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12320 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12321 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12322 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12323
12324 @table @code
12325
12326 @kindex tsave
12327 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12328 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12329 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12330 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12331 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12332 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12333 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12334 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12335 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12336 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12337 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12338 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12339 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12340 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12341 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12342
12343 @kindex target tfile
12344 @kindex tfile
12345 @kindex target ctf
12346 @kindex ctf
12347 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12348 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12349 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12350 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12351 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12352 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12353 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12354 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12355 the host.
12356
12357 @smallexample
12358 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12359 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12360 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12361 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12362 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12363 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12364 i = 0
12365 a = 0
12366 b = 1 '\001'
12367 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12368 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12369 (@value{GDBP}) p b
12370 $1 = 1
12371 @end smallexample
12372
12373 @end table
12374
12375 @node Overlays
12376 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12377 @cindex overlays
12378
12379 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12380 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12381 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12382 use overlays.
12383
12384 @menu
12385 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12386 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12387 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12388 mapped by asking the inferior.
12389 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12390 @end menu
12391
12392 @node How Overlays Work
12393 @section How Overlays Work
12394 @cindex mapped overlays
12395 @cindex unmapped overlays
12396 @cindex load address, overlay's
12397 @cindex mapped address
12398 @cindex overlay area
12399
12400 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12401 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12402 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12403 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12404 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12405
12406 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12407 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12408 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12409 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12410 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12411 largest overlay as well.
12412
12413 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12414 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12415 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12416 there.
12417
12418 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12419 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12420 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12421
12422 @smallexample
12423 @group
12424 Data Instruction Larger
12425 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12426 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12427 | | | | | |
12428 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12429 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12430 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12431 | and heap | | | | | |
12432 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12433 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12434 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12435 | | | | | |
12436 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12437 address | | | | | |
12438 | overlay | <-' | | |
12439 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12440 | | <---. | | load address
12441 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12442 | | | |
12443 +-----------+ | |
12444 +-----------+
12445 | |
12446 +-----------+
12447
12448 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12449 @end group
12450 @end smallexample
12451
12452 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12453 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12454 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12455 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12456 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12457 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12458 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12459 program and the overlay area.
12460
12461 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12462 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12463 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12464 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12465 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12466 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12467 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12468
12469 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12470 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12471 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12472
12473 @itemize @bullet
12474
12475 @item
12476 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12477 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12478 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12479 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12480
12481 @item
12482 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12483 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12484 your program's performance.
12485
12486 @item
12487 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12488 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12489 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12490 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12491 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12492 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12493 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12494
12495 @item
12496 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12497 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12498 instruction and data spaces.
12499
12500 @end itemize
12501
12502 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12503 improved in many ways:
12504
12505 @itemize @bullet
12506
12507 @item
12508 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12509 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12510 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12511 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12512 area in the usual way.
12513
12514 @item
12515 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12516 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12517
12518 @item
12519 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12520 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12521 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12522 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12523 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12524 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12525 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12526
12527 @end itemize
12528
12529
12530 @node Overlay Commands
12531 @section Overlay Commands
12532
12533 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12534 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12535 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12536 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12537 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12538 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12539
12540 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12541 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12542
12543 @table @code
12544 @item overlay off
12545 @kindex overlay
12546 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12547 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12548 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12549 overlay support is disabled.
12550
12551 @item overlay manual
12552 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12553 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12554 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12555 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12556 commands described below.
12557
12558 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12559 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12560 @cindex map an overlay
12561 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12562 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12563 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12564 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12565 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12566 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12567
12568 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12569 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12570 @cindex unmap an overlay
12571 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12572 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12573 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12574 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12575
12576 @item overlay auto
12577 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12578 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12579 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12580 Overlay Debugging}.
12581
12582 @item overlay load-target
12583 @itemx overlay load
12584 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12585 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12586 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12587 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12588 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12589 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12590
12591 @item overlay list-overlays
12592 @itemx overlay list
12593 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12594 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12595 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12596
12597 @end table
12598
12599 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12600 of the function the address falls in:
12601
12602 @smallexample
12603 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12604 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12605 @end smallexample
12606 @noindent
12607 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12608 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12609 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12610 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12611
12612 @smallexample
12613 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12614 No sections are mapped.
12615 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12616 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12617 @end smallexample
12618 @noindent
12619 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12620 name normally:
12621
12622 @smallexample
12623 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12624 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12625 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12626 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12627 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12628 @end smallexample
12629
12630 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12631 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12632 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12633 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12634 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12635
12636 @itemize @bullet
12637 @item
12638 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12639 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12640 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12641 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12642 @item
12643 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12644 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12645 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12646 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12647 breakpoints properly.
12648 @end itemize
12649
12650
12651 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12652 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12653 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12654
12655 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12656 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12657 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12658 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12659 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12660 current state of the overlays.
12661
12662 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12663 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12664
12665 @table @asis
12666
12667 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12668 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12669
12670 @smallexample
12671 struct
12672 @{
12673 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12674 unsigned long vma;
12675
12676 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12677 unsigned long size;
12678
12679 /* The overlay's load address. */
12680 unsigned long lma;
12681
12682 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12683 zero otherwise. */
12684 unsigned long mapped;
12685 @}
12686 @end smallexample
12687
12688 @item @code{_novlys}:
12689 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12690 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12691
12692 @end table
12693
12694 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12695 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12696 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12697 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12698 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12699 currently mapped.
12700
12701 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12702 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12703 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12704 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12705 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12706 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12707 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12708 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12709 are not being executed.
12710
12711 @node Overlay Sample Program
12712 @section Overlay Sample Program
12713 @cindex overlay example program
12714
12715 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12716 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12717 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12718 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12719 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12720 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12721 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12722
12723 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12724 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12725 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12726 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12727
12728 @table @file
12729 @item overlays.c
12730 The main program file.
12731 @item ovlymgr.c
12732 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12733 @item foo.c
12734 @itemx bar.c
12735 @itemx baz.c
12736 @itemx grbx.c
12737 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12738 @item d10v.ld
12739 @itemx m32r.ld
12740 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12741 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12742 @end table
12743
12744 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12745 cross-compiler like this:
12746
12747 @smallexample
12748 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12749 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12750 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12751 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12752 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12753 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12754 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12755 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12756 @end smallexample
12757
12758 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12759 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12760 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12761
12762
12763 @node Languages
12764 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12765 @cindex languages
12766
12767 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12768 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12769 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12770 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12771 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12772 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12773
12774 @cindex working language
12775 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12776 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12777 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12778 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12779 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12780 language}.
12781
12782 @menu
12783 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12784 * Show:: Displaying the language
12785 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12786 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12787 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12788 @end menu
12789
12790 @node Setting
12791 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12792
12793 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12794 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12795 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12796 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12797 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12798 are printed, etc.
12799
12800 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12801 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12802 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12803 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12804 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12805 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12806 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12807 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12808 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12809 Displaying the Language}.
12810
12811 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12812 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12813 another language. In that case, make the
12814 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12815 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12816 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12817
12818 @menu
12819 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12820 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12821 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12822 @end menu
12823
12824 @node Filenames
12825 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12826
12827 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12828 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12829
12830 @table @file
12831 @item .ada
12832 @itemx .ads
12833 @itemx .adb
12834 @itemx .a
12835 Ada source file.
12836
12837 @item .c
12838 C source file
12839
12840 @item .C
12841 @itemx .cc
12842 @itemx .cp
12843 @itemx .cpp
12844 @itemx .cxx
12845 @itemx .c++
12846 C@t{++} source file
12847
12848 @item .d
12849 D source file
12850
12851 @item .m
12852 Objective-C source file
12853
12854 @item .f
12855 @itemx .F
12856 Fortran source file
12857
12858 @item .mod
12859 Modula-2 source file
12860
12861 @item .s
12862 @itemx .S
12863 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12864 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12865 @end table
12866
12867 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12868 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12869
12870 @node Manually
12871 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12872
12873 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12874 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12875 your program.
12876
12877 @kindex set language
12878 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12879 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12880 a language, such as
12881 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12882 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12883
12884 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12885 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12886 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12887 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12888 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12889 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12890 command such as:
12891
12892 @smallexample
12893 print a = b + c
12894 @end smallexample
12895
12896 @noindent
12897 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12898 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12899 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12900 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12901
12902 @node Automatically
12903 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12904
12905 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12906 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12907 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12908 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12909 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12910 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12911 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12912 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12913 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12914
12915 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12916 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12917 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12918 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12919 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12920
12921 @node Show
12922 @section Displaying the Language
12923
12924 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12925 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12926
12927 @table @code
12928 @item show language
12929 @kindex show language
12930 Display the current working language. This is the
12931 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12932 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12933
12934 @item info frame
12935 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12936 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12937 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12938 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12939 information listed here.
12940
12941 @item info source
12942 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12943 Display the source language of this source file.
12944 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12945 information listed here.
12946 @end table
12947
12948 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12949 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12950 with a language explicitly:
12951
12952 @table @code
12953 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12954 @kindex set extension-language
12955 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12956 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12957
12958 @item info extensions
12959 @kindex info extensions
12960 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12961 @end table
12962
12963 @node Checks
12964 @section Type and Range Checking
12965
12966 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12967 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12968 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12969 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12970 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12971 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12972 errors when your program is running.
12973
12974 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12975 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12976 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12977 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12978
12979 @menu
12980 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12981 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12982 @end menu
12983
12984 @cindex type checking
12985 @cindex checks, type
12986 @node Type Checking
12987 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12988
12989 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12990 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12991 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12992 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12993
12994 @smallexample
12995 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12996
12997 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12998 $1 = 2
12999 @exdent but
13000 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13001 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13002 @end smallexample
13003
13004 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13005 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13006
13007 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13008 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13009 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13010 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13011 expressions like the second example above.
13012
13013 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13014 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13015 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13016 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13017 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13018 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13019
13020 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13021
13022 @kindex set check type
13023 @kindex show check type
13024 @table @code
13025 @item set check type on
13026 @itemx set check type off
13027 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13028 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13029 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13030
13031 @item show check type
13032 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13033 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13034 @end table
13035
13036 @cindex range checking
13037 @cindex checks, range
13038 @node Range Checking
13039 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13040
13041 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13042 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13043 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13044 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13045 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13046
13047 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13048 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13049 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13050 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13051
13052 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13053 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13054 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13055 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13056 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13057 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13058
13059 @smallexample
13060 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13061 @end smallexample
13062
13063 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13064 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13065 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13066
13067 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13068
13069 @kindex set check range
13070 @kindex show check range
13071 @table @code
13072 @item set check range auto
13073 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13074 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13075 each language.
13076
13077 @item set check range on
13078 @itemx set check range off
13079 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13080 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13081 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13082 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13083
13084 @item set check range warn
13085 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13086 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13087 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13088 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13089 systems).
13090
13091 @item show range
13092 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13093 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13094 @end table
13095
13096 @node Supported Languages
13097 @section Supported Languages
13098
13099 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13100 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13101 @c This is false ...
13102 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13103 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13104 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13105 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13106 language.
13107
13108 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13109 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13110 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13111 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13112 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13113 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13114 language reference or tutorial.
13115
13116 @menu
13117 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13118 * D:: D
13119 * Go:: Go
13120 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13121 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13122 * Fortran:: Fortran
13123 * Pascal:: Pascal
13124 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13125 * Ada:: Ada
13126 @end menu
13127
13128 @node C
13129 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13130
13131 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13132 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13133
13134 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13135 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13136 together.
13137
13138 @cindex C@t{++}
13139 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13140 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13141 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13142 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13143 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13144 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13145 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13146
13147 @menu
13148 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13149 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13150 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13151 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13152 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13153 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13154 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13155 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13156 @end menu
13157
13158 @node C Operators
13159 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13160
13161 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13162
13163 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13164 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13165 often defined on groups of types.
13166
13167 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13168
13169 @itemize @bullet
13170
13171 @item
13172 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13173 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13174
13175 @item
13176 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13177 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13178
13179 @item
13180 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13181
13182 @item
13183 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13184
13185 @end itemize
13186
13187 @noindent
13188 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13189 in order of increasing precedence:
13190
13191 @table @code
13192 @item ,
13193 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13194 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13195 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13196
13197 @item =
13198 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13199 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13200
13201 @item @var{op}=
13202 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13203 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13204 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13205 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13206 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13207
13208 @item ?:
13209 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13210 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13211 integral type.
13212
13213 @item ||
13214 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13215
13216 @item &&
13217 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13218
13219 @item |
13220 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13221
13222 @item ^
13223 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13224
13225 @item &
13226 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13227
13228 @item ==@r{, }!=
13229 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13230 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13231
13232 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13233 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13234 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13235 and non-zero for true.
13236
13237 @item <<@r{, }>>
13238 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13239
13240 @item @@
13241 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13242
13243 @item +@r{, }-
13244 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13245 pointer types.
13246
13247 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13248 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13249 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13250 integral types.
13251
13252 @item ++@r{, }--
13253 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13254 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13255 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13256 operation takes place.
13257
13258 @item *
13259 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13260 @code{++}.
13261
13262 @item &
13263 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13264
13265 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13266 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13267 to examine the address
13268 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13269 stored.
13270
13271 @item -
13272 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13273 precedence as @code{++}.
13274
13275 @item !
13276 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13277 @code{++}.
13278
13279 @item ~
13280 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13281 @code{++}.
13282
13283
13284 @item .@r{, }->
13285 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13286 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13287 pointer based on the stored type information.
13288 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13289
13290 @item .*@r{, }->*
13291 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13292
13293 @item []
13294 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13295 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13296
13297 @item ()
13298 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13299
13300 @item ::
13301 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13302 and @code{class} types.
13303
13304 @item ::
13305 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13306 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13307 above.
13308 @end table
13309
13310 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13311 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13312 predefined meaning.
13313
13314 @node C Constants
13315 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13316
13317 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13318
13319 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13320 following ways:
13321
13322 @itemize @bullet
13323 @item
13324 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13325 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13326 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13327 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13328 @code{long} value.
13329
13330 @item
13331 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13332 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13333 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13334 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13335 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13336 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13337 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13338 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13339 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13340 constant.
13341
13342 @item
13343 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13344 integral equivalents.
13345
13346 @item
13347 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13348 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13349 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13350 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13351 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13352 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13353 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13354 @samp{\n} for newline.
13355
13356 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13357 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13358 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13359 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13360
13361 @item
13362 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13363 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13364 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13365 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13366 characters.
13367
13368 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13369 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13370 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13371
13372 @item
13373 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13374 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13375
13376 @item
13377 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13378 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13379 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13380 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13381 @end itemize
13382
13383 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13384 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13385
13386 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13387 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13388
13389 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13390 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13391 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13392 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13393 @quotation
13394 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13395 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13396 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13397 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13398 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13399 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13400 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13401 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13402 @end quotation
13403
13404 @enumerate
13405
13406 @cindex member functions
13407 @item
13408 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13409
13410 @smallexample
13411 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13412 @end smallexample
13413
13414 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13415 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13416 @item
13417 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13418 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13419 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13420 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13421 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13422
13423 @cindex call overloaded functions
13424 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13425 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13426 @item
13427 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13428 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13429 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13430 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13431 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13432 default arguments.
13433
13434 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13435 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13436 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13437 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13438 number of function arguments.
13439
13440 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13441 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13442 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13443
13444 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13445 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13446 @smallexample
13447 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13448 @end smallexample
13449
13450 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13451 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13452
13453 @cindex reference declarations
13454 @item
13455 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13456 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13457 dereferenced.
13458
13459 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13460 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13461 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13462 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13463 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13464
13465 @item
13466 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13467 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13468 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13469 necessary, for example in an expression like
13470 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13471 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13472 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13473
13474 @item
13475 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13476 specification.
13477 @end enumerate
13478
13479 @node C Defaults
13480 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13481
13482 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13483
13484 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13485 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13486 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13487 selects the working language.
13488
13489 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13490 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13491 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13492 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13493 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13494 for further details.
13495
13496 @node C Checks
13497 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13498
13499 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13500
13501 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13502 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13503 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13504 constants to pointers.
13505
13506 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13507 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13508 that is not itself an array.
13509
13510 @node Debugging C
13511 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13512
13513 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13514 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13515 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13516 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13517
13518 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13519 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13520 ,Expressions}.
13521
13522 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13523 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13524
13525 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13526
13527 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13528 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13529
13530 @table @code
13531 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13532 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13533 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13534 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13535 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13536 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13537
13538 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13539 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13540 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13541 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13542 classes.
13543 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13544
13545 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13546 @item catch throw
13547 @itemx catch rethrow
13548 @itemx catch catch
13549 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13550 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13551
13552 @cindex inheritance
13553 @item ptype @var{typename}
13554 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13555 @var{typename}.
13556 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13557
13558 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13559 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13560 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13561 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13562 multiple inheritance is in use.
13563
13564 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13565 @item set print demangle
13566 @itemx show print demangle
13567 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13568 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13569 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13570 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13571 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13572
13573 @item set print object
13574 @itemx show print object
13575 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13576 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13577
13578 @item set print vtbl
13579 @itemx show print vtbl
13580 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13581 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13582 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13583 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13584
13585 @kindex set overload-resolution
13586 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13587 @item set overload-resolution on
13588 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13589 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13590 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13591 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13592 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13593 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13594
13595 @item set overload-resolution off
13596 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13597 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13598 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13599 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13600 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13601 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13602 argument types.
13603
13604 @kindex show overload-resolution
13605 @item show overload-resolution
13606 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13607
13608 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13609 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13610 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13611 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13612 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13613 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13614 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13615 @end table
13616
13617 @node Decimal Floating Point
13618 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13619 @cindex decimal floating point format
13620
13621 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13622 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13623 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13624 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13625
13626 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13627 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13628 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13629 target.
13630
13631 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13632 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13633 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13634
13635 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13636 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13637 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13638
13639 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13640 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13641 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13642
13643 @node D
13644 @subsection D
13645
13646 @cindex D
13647 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13648 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13649 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13650
13651 @node Go
13652 @subsection Go
13653
13654 @cindex Go (programming language)
13655 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13656 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13657
13658 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13659
13660 @table @code
13661 @cindex current Go package
13662 @item The current Go package
13663 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13664 specifying global variables and functions.
13665
13666 For example, given the program:
13667
13668 @example
13669 package main
13670 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13671 func main () @{
13672 // ...
13673 @}
13674 @end example
13675
13676 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13677
13678 @example
13679 (gdb) p myglob
13680 (gdb) p main.myglob
13681 @end example
13682
13683 @cindex builtin Go types
13684 @item Builtin Go types
13685 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13686 as a string.
13687
13688 @cindex builtin Go functions
13689 @item Builtin Go functions
13690 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13691 function and handles it internally.
13692
13693 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13694 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13695 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13696 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13697 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13698 @end table
13699
13700 @node Objective-C
13701 @subsection Objective-C
13702
13703 @cindex Objective-C
13704 This section provides information about some commands and command
13705 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13706 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13707 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13708
13709 @menu
13710 * Method Names in Commands::
13711 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13712 @end menu
13713
13714 @node Method Names in Commands
13715 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13716
13717 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13718 names as line specifications:
13719
13720 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13721 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13722 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13723 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13724 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13725 @itemize
13726 @item @code{clear}
13727 @item @code{break}
13728 @item @code{info line}
13729 @item @code{jump}
13730 @item @code{list}
13731 @end itemize
13732
13733 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13734
13735 @smallexample
13736 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13737 @end smallexample
13738
13739 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13740 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13741 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13742 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13743 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13744 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13745 debugged, enter:
13746
13747 @smallexample
13748 break -[Fruit create]
13749 @end smallexample
13750
13751 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13752 enter:
13753
13754 @smallexample
13755 list +[NSText initialize]
13756 @end smallexample
13757
13758 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13759 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13760 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13761 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13762
13763 @smallexample
13764 break create
13765 @end smallexample
13766
13767 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13768 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13769 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13770 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13771 none apply.
13772
13773 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13774 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13775
13776 @smallexample
13777 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13778 @end smallexample
13779
13780 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13781 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13782 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13783 @kindex print-object
13784 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13785
13786 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13787
13788 @smallexample
13789 print -[@var{object} hash]
13790 @end smallexample
13791
13792 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13793 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13794 @noindent
13795 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13796 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13797 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13798 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13799 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13800 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13801
13802 @node OpenCL C
13803 @subsection OpenCL C
13804
13805 @cindex OpenCL C
13806 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13807
13808 @menu
13809 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13810 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13811 * OpenCL C Operators::
13812 @end menu
13813
13814 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13815 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13816
13817 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13818 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13819 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13820 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13821 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13822
13823 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13824 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13825
13826 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13827 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13828 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13829 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13830
13831 @node OpenCL C Operators
13832 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13833
13834 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13835 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13836 vector data types.
13837
13838 @node Fortran
13839 @subsection Fortran
13840 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13841
13842 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13843 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13844
13845 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13846 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13847 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13848 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13849 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13850 underscore.
13851
13852 @menu
13853 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13854 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13855 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13856 @end menu
13857
13858 @node Fortran Operators
13859 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13860
13861 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13862
13863 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13864 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13865 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13866
13867 @table @code
13868 @item **
13869 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13870 of the second one.
13871
13872 @item :
13873 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13874 represent a section of array.
13875
13876 @item %
13877 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13878 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13879 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13880 union type.
13881 @end table
13882
13883 @node Fortran Defaults
13884 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13885
13886 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13887
13888 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13889 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13890 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13891 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13892
13893 @node Special Fortran Commands
13894 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13895
13896 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13897
13898 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13899 such as displaying common blocks.
13900
13901 @table @code
13902 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13903 @kindex info common
13904 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13905 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13906 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13907 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13908 printed.
13909 @end table
13910
13911 @node Pascal
13912 @subsection Pascal
13913
13914 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13915 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13916 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13917 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13918 syntax.
13919
13920 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13921 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13922 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13923
13924 @node Modula-2
13925 @subsection Modula-2
13926
13927 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13928
13929 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13930 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13931 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13932 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13933 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13934 table.
13935
13936 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13937 @menu
13938 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13939 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13940 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13941 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13942 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13943 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13944 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13945 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13946 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13947 @end menu
13948
13949 @node M2 Operators
13950 @subsubsection Operators
13951 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13952
13953 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13954 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13955 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13956 following definitions hold:
13957
13958 @itemize @bullet
13959
13960 @item
13961 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13962 their subranges.
13963
13964 @item
13965 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13966
13967 @item
13968 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13969
13970 @item
13971 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13972 @var{type}}.
13973
13974 @item
13975 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13976
13977 @item
13978 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13979
13980 @item
13981 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13982 @end itemize
13983
13984 @noindent
13985 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13986 increasing precedence:
13987
13988 @table @code
13989 @item ,
13990 Function argument or array index separator.
13991
13992 @item :=
13993 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13994 @var{value}.
13995
13996 @item <@r{, }>
13997 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13998 types.
13999
14000 @item <=@r{, }>=
14001 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14002 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14003 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14004
14005 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14006 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14007 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14008 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14009 comment character.
14010
14011 @item IN
14012 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14013 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14014
14015 @item OR
14016 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14017
14018 @item AND@r{, }&
14019 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14020
14021 @item @@
14022 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14023
14024 @item +@r{, }-
14025 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14026 and difference on set types.
14027
14028 @item *
14029 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14030 on set types.
14031
14032 @item /
14033 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14034 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14035
14036 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14037 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14038 precedence as @code{*}.
14039
14040 @item -
14041 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14042
14043 @item ^
14044 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14045
14046 @item NOT
14047 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14048 @code{^}.
14049
14050 @item .
14051 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14052 precedence as @code{^}.
14053
14054 @item []
14055 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14056
14057 @item ()
14058 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14059 as @code{^}.
14060
14061 @item ::@r{, }.
14062 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14063 @end table
14064
14065 @quotation
14066 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14067 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14068 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14069 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14070 @end quotation
14071
14072
14073 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14074 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14075 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14076
14077 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14078 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14079
14080 @table @var
14081
14082 @item a
14083 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14084
14085 @item c
14086 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14087
14088 @item i
14089 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14090
14091 @item m
14092 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14093 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14094 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14095
14096 @item n
14097 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14098
14099 @item r
14100 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14101
14102 @item t
14103 represents a type.
14104
14105 @item v
14106 represents a variable.
14107
14108 @item x
14109 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14110 explanation of the function for details.
14111 @end table
14112
14113 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14114
14115 @table @code
14116 @item ABS(@var{n})
14117 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14118
14119 @item CAP(@var{c})
14120 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14121 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14122
14123 @item CHR(@var{i})
14124 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14125
14126 @item DEC(@var{v})
14127 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14128
14129 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14130 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14131 new value.
14132
14133 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14134 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14135 set.
14136
14137 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14138 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14139
14140 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14141 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14142
14143 @item INC(@var{v})
14144 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14145
14146 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14147 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14148 new value.
14149
14150 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14151 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14152 there. Returns the new set.
14153
14154 @item MAX(@var{t})
14155 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14156
14157 @item MIN(@var{t})
14158 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14159
14160 @item ODD(@var{i})
14161 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14162
14163 @item ORD(@var{x})
14164 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14165 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14166 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14167 integral, character and enumerated types.
14168
14169 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14170 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14171
14172 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14173 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14174
14175 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14176 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14177
14178 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14179 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14180 @end table
14181
14182 @quotation
14183 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14184 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14185 an error.
14186 @end quotation
14187
14188 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14189 @node M2 Constants
14190 @subsubsection Constants
14191
14192 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14193 ways:
14194
14195 @itemize @bullet
14196
14197 @item
14198 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14199 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14200 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14201 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14202
14203 @item
14204 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14205 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14206 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14207 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14208 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14209 digits.
14210
14211 @item
14212 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14213 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14214 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14215 followed by a @samp{C}.
14216
14217 @item
14218 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14219 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14220 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14221 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14222 sequences.
14223
14224 @item
14225 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14226
14227 @item
14228 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14229 @code{FALSE}.
14230
14231 @item
14232 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14233
14234 @item
14235 Set constants are not yet supported.
14236 @end itemize
14237
14238 @node M2 Types
14239 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14240 @cindex Modula-2 types
14241
14242 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14243 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14244 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14245 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14246 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14247 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14248
14249 The first example contains the following section of code:
14250
14251 @smallexample
14252 VAR
14253 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14254 r: [20..40] ;
14255 @end smallexample
14256
14257 @noindent
14258 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14259 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14260
14261 @smallexample
14262 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14263 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14264 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14265 SET OF CHAR
14266 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14267 21
14268 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14269 [20..40]
14270 @end smallexample
14271
14272 @noindent
14273 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14274
14275 @smallexample
14276 VAR
14277 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14278 @end smallexample
14279
14280 @noindent
14281 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14282
14283 @smallexample
14284 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14285 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14286 @end smallexample
14287
14288 @noindent
14289 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14290 expressions using the debugger.
14291
14292 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14293 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14294
14295 @smallexample
14296 VAR
14297 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14298 @end smallexample
14299
14300 @smallexample
14301 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14302 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14303 @end smallexample
14304
14305 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14306 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14307 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14308 above.
14309
14310 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14311
14312 @smallexample
14313 TYPE
14314 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14315 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14316 VAR
14317 s: t ;
14318 BEGIN
14319 s := blue ;
14320 @end smallexample
14321
14322 @noindent
14323 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14324 and value of a variable.
14325
14326 @smallexample
14327 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14328 $1 = blue
14329 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14330 type = [blue..yellow]
14331 @end smallexample
14332
14333 @noindent
14334 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14335 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14336 their @code{C} counterparts.
14337
14338 @smallexample
14339 VAR
14340 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14341 BEGIN
14342 s[1] := 1 ;
14343 @end smallexample
14344
14345 @smallexample
14346 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14347 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14348 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14349 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14350 @end smallexample
14351
14352 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14353 pointer types as shown in this example:
14354
14355 @smallexample
14356 VAR
14357 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14358 BEGIN
14359 NEW(s) ;
14360 s^[1] := 1 ;
14361 @end smallexample
14362
14363 @noindent
14364 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14365
14366 @smallexample
14367 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14368 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14369 @end smallexample
14370
14371 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14372 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14373 types:
14374
14375 @smallexample
14376 TYPE
14377 foo = RECORD
14378 f1: CARDINAL ;
14379 f2: CHAR ;
14380 f3: myarray ;
14381 END ;
14382
14383 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14384 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14385 VAR
14386 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14387 @end smallexample
14388
14389 @noindent
14390 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14391 below.
14392
14393 @smallexample
14394 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14395 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14396 f1 : CARDINAL;
14397 f2 : CHAR;
14398 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14399 END
14400 @end smallexample
14401
14402 @node M2 Defaults
14403 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14404 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14405
14406 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14407 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14408 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14409 selected the working language.
14410
14411 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14412 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14413 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14414 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14415
14416 @node Deviations
14417 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14418 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14419
14420 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14421 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14422
14423 @itemize @bullet
14424 @item
14425 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14426 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14427 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14428 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14429 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14430 returned a pointer.)
14431
14432 @item
14433 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14434 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14435 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14436 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14437
14438 @item
14439 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14440 argument.
14441
14442 @item
14443 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14444 @end itemize
14445
14446 @node M2 Checks
14447 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14448 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14449
14450 @quotation
14451 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14452 range checking.
14453 @end quotation
14454 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14455
14456 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14457
14458 @itemize @bullet
14459 @item
14460 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14461 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14462
14463 @item
14464 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14465 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14466 @end itemize
14467
14468 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14469 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14470
14471 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14472 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14473
14474 @node M2 Scope
14475 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14476 @cindex scope
14477 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14478 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14479 @ifinfo
14480 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14481 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14482 @end ifinfo
14483 @ifnotinfo
14484 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14485 @end ifnotinfo
14486
14487 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14488 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14489 similar syntax:
14490
14491 @smallexample
14492
14493 @var{module} . @var{id}
14494 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14495 @end smallexample
14496
14497 @noindent
14498 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14499 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14500 identifier within your program, except another module.
14501
14502 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14503 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14504 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14505 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14506
14507 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14508 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14509 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14510 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14511 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14512 @var{module}.
14513
14514 @node GDB/M2
14515 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14516
14517 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14518 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14519 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14520 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14521 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14522 analogue in Modula-2.
14523
14524 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14525 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14526 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14527 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14528 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14529 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14530
14531 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14532 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14533 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14534
14535 @node Ada
14536 @subsection Ada
14537 @cindex Ada
14538
14539 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14540 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14541 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14542 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14543 to be difficult.
14544
14545
14546 @cindex expressions in Ada
14547 @menu
14548 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14549 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14550 in @value{GDBN}.
14551 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14552 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14553 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14554 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14555 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14556 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14557 Profile
14558 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14559 @end menu
14560
14561 @node Ada Mode Intro
14562 @subsubsection Introduction
14563 @cindex Ada mode, general
14564
14565 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14566 syntax, with some extensions.
14567 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14568
14569 @itemize @bullet
14570 @item
14571 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14572 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14573 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14574 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14575
14576 @item
14577 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14578 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14579
14580 @item
14581 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14582 @end itemize
14583
14584 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14585 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14586 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14587 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14588 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14589
14590 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14591 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14592 was translated from an Ada source file.
14593
14594 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14595 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14596 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14597 middle (to allow based literals).
14598
14599 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14600 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14601 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14602 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14603 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14604 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14605
14606 @node Omissions from Ada
14607 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14608 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14609
14610 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14611
14612 @itemize @bullet
14613 @item
14614 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14615
14616 @itemize @minus
14617 @item
14618 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14619 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14620
14621 @item
14622 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14623
14624 @item
14625 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14626
14627 @item
14628 @t{'Tag}.
14629
14630 @item
14631 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14632 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14633
14634 @item
14635 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14636 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14637
14638 @item
14639 @t{'Address}.
14640 @end itemize
14641
14642 @item
14643 The names in
14644 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14645 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14646 not currently available.
14647
14648 @item
14649 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14650 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14651 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14652 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14653 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14654 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14655 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14656 indeterminate values.
14657
14658 @item
14659 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14660 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14661 are not implemented.
14662
14663 @item
14664 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14665 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14666 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14667 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14668 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14669
14670 @smallexample
14671 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14672 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14673 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14674 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14675 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14676 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14677 @end smallexample
14678
14679 Changing a
14680 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14681 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14682 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14683 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14684 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14685 declared to have a type such as:
14686
14687 @smallexample
14688 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14689 Id : Integer;
14690 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14691 end record;
14692 @end smallexample
14693
14694 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14695 assignments:
14696
14697 @smallexample
14698 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14699 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14700 @end smallexample
14701
14702 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14703 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14704 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14705 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14706 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14707 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14708 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14709 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14710
14711 @item
14712 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14713
14714 @item
14715 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14716 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14717 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14718 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14719 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14720 the proper resolution.
14721
14722 @item
14723 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14724
14725 @item
14726 Entry calls are not implemented.
14727
14728 @item
14729 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14730 formats are not supported.
14731
14732 @item
14733 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14734
14735 @item
14736 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14737 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14738 context.
14739 Should your program
14740 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14741 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14742 @end itemize
14743
14744 @node Additions to Ada
14745 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14746 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14747
14748 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14749 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14750
14751 @itemize @bullet
14752 @item
14753 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14754 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14755 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14756 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14757 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14758 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14759 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14760 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14761
14762 @item
14763 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14764 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14765 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14766
14767 @item
14768 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14769 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14770
14771 @item
14772 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14773 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14774 @end itemize
14775
14776 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14777 additions specific to Ada:
14778
14779 @itemize @bullet
14780 @item
14781 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14782 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14783
14784 @smallexample
14785 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14786 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14787 @end smallexample
14788
14789 @item
14790 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14791 the value of its right-hand operand.
14792 This allows, for example,
14793 complex conditional breaks:
14794
14795 @smallexample
14796 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14797 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14798 @end smallexample
14799
14800 @item
14801 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14802 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14803 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14804 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14805 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14806 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14807 in strings. For example,
14808 @smallexample
14809 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14810 @end smallexample
14811 @noindent
14812 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14813 after each period.
14814
14815 @item
14816 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14817 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14818 to write
14819
14820 @smallexample
14821 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14822 @end smallexample
14823
14824 @item
14825 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14826 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14827 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14828 of 3 might print as
14829
14830 @smallexample
14831 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14832 @end smallexample
14833
14834 @noindent
14835 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14836 clause.
14837
14838 @item
14839 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14840 multi-character subsequence of
14841 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14842 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14843 in place of @t{a'length}.
14844
14845 @item
14846 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14847 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14848 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14849 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14850 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14851 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14852 For example,
14853 @smallexample
14854 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14855 @end smallexample
14856
14857 @item
14858 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14859 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14860 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14861 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14862 object.
14863
14864 @end itemize
14865
14866 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14867 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14868
14869 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14870 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14871 before reaching the main procedure.
14872 As defined in the Ada Reference
14873 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14874 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14875 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14876 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14877
14878 @node Ada Tasks
14879 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14880 @cindex Ada, tasking
14881
14882 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14883 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14884
14885 @table @code
14886 @kindex info tasks
14887 @item info tasks
14888 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14889
14890
14891 @smallexample
14892 @iftex
14893 @leftskip=0.5cm
14894 @end iftex
14895 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14896 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14897 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14898 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14899 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14900 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14901
14902 @end smallexample
14903
14904 @noindent
14905 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14906 task currently being inspected.
14907
14908 @table @asis
14909 @item ID
14910 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14911
14912 @item TID
14913 The Ada task ID.
14914
14915 @item P-ID
14916 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14917
14918 @item Pri
14919 The base priority of the task.
14920
14921 @item State
14922 Current state of the task.
14923
14924 @table @code
14925 @item Unactivated
14926 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14927 executing.
14928
14929 @item Runnable
14930 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14931 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14932
14933 @item Terminated
14934 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14935 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14936 terminated themselves.
14937
14938 @item Child Activation Wait
14939 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14940
14941 @item Accept Statement
14942 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14943
14944 @item Waiting on entry call
14945 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14946
14947 @item Async Select Wait
14948 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14949 select statement.
14950
14951 @item Delay Sleep
14952 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14953 alternative open.
14954
14955 @item Child Termination Wait
14956 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14957 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14958 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14959
14960 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14961 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14962 finish terminating.
14963
14964 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14965 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14966 @end table
14967
14968 @item Name
14969 Name of the task in the program.
14970
14971 @end table
14972
14973 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14974 @item info task @var{taskno}
14975 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14976 the following example:
14977 @smallexample
14978 @iftex
14979 @leftskip=0.5cm
14980 @end iftex
14981 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14982 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14983 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14984 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14985 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14986 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14987 Name: task_1
14988 Thread: 0x807f378
14989 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14990 Base Priority: 15
14991 State: Runnable
14992 @end smallexample
14993
14994 @item task
14995 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14996 @cindex current Ada task ID
14997 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14998
14999 @smallexample
15000 @iftex
15001 @leftskip=0.5cm
15002 @end iftex
15003 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15004 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15005 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15006 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15007 (@value{GDBP}) task
15008 [Current task is 2]
15009 @end smallexample
15010
15011 @item task @var{taskno}
15012 @cindex Ada task switching
15013 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15014 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15015 from the current task to the given task.
15016
15017 @smallexample
15018 @iftex
15019 @leftskip=0.5cm
15020 @end iftex
15021 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15022 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15023 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15024 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15025 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15026 [Switching to task 1]
15027 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15028 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15029 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15030 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15031 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15032 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15033 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15034 @end smallexample
15035
15036 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15037 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15038 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15039 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15040 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15041 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15042 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15043 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15044 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15045
15046 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15047 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15048 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15049 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15050 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15051
15052 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15053 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15054 program.
15055
15056 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15057 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15058 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15059
15060 For example,
15061
15062 @smallexample
15063 @iftex
15064 @leftskip=0.5cm
15065 @end iftex
15066 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15067 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15068 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15069 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15070 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15071 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15072 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15073 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15074 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15075 Continuing.
15076 task # 1 running
15077 task # 2 running
15078
15079 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15080 15 flush;
15081 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15082 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15083 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15084 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15085 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15086 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15087 @end smallexample
15088 @end table
15089
15090 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15091 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15092 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15093
15094 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15095 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15096 the platform being used.
15097 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15098 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15099 as usual.
15100
15101 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15102 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15103 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15104 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15105 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15106 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15107
15108 @node Ravenscar Profile
15109 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15110 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15111
15112 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15113 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15114 requirements.
15115
15116 @table @code
15117 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15118 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15119 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15120 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15121 Profile. This is the default.
15122
15123 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15124 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15125 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15126 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15127 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15128 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15129 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15130
15131 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15132 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15133 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15134 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15135
15136 @end table
15137
15138 @node Ada Glitches
15139 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15140 @cindex Ada, problems
15141
15142 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15143 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15144 @value{GDBN},
15145 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15146 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15147
15148 @itemize @bullet
15149 @item
15150 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15151 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15152
15153 @item
15154 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15155 argument lists are treated as positional).
15156
15157 @item
15158 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15159
15160 @item
15161 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15162 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15163 the host machine.
15164
15165 @item
15166 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15167 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15168 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15169 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15170 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15171 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15172 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15173 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15174 you can usually resolve the confusion
15175 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15176 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15177 @end itemize
15178
15179 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15180 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15181 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15182 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15183 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15184 enabled.
15185
15186 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15187 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15188 @table @code
15189
15190 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15191 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15192 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15193 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15194 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15195 This is the default.
15196
15197 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15198 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15199 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15200 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15201 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15202 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15203 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15204
15205 @end table
15206
15207 @node Unsupported Languages
15208 @section Unsupported Languages
15209
15210 @cindex unsupported languages
15211 @cindex minimal language
15212 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15213 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15214 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15215 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15216 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15217 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15218
15219 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15220 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15221 language.
15222
15223 @node Symbols
15224 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15225
15226 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15227 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15228 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15229 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15230 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15231 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15232 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15233
15234 @cindex symbol names
15235 @cindex names of symbols
15236 @cindex quoting names
15237 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15238 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15239 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15240 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15241 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15242 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15243 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15244 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15245
15246 @smallexample
15247 p 'foo.c'::x
15248 @end smallexample
15249
15250 @noindent
15251 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15252
15253 @table @code
15254 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15255 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15256 @kindex set case-sensitive
15257 @item set case-sensitive on
15258 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15259 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15260 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15261 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15262 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15263 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15264 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15265 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15266 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15267 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15268 case-insensitive matches.
15269
15270 @kindex show case-sensitive
15271 @item show case-sensitive
15272 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15273 lookups.
15274
15275 @kindex set print type methods
15276 @item set print type methods
15277 @itemx set print type methods on
15278 @itemx set print type methods off
15279 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15280 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15281 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15282 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15283 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15284 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15285
15286 @kindex show print type methods
15287 @item show print type methods
15288 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15289 classes.
15290
15291 @kindex set print type typedefs
15292 @item set print type typedefs
15293 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15294 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15295
15296 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15297 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15298 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15299 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15300 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15301 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15302 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15303 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15304 types.
15305
15306 @kindex show print type typedefs
15307 @item show print type typedefs
15308 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15309 printing classes.
15310
15311 @kindex info address
15312 @cindex address of a symbol
15313 @item info address @var{symbol}
15314 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15315 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15316 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15317 is always stored.
15318
15319 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15320 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15321 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15322
15323 @kindex info symbol
15324 @cindex symbol from address
15325 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15326 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15327 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15328 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15329 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15330
15331 @smallexample
15332 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15333 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15334 @end smallexample
15335
15336 @noindent
15337 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15338 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15339
15340 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15341 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15342
15343 @smallexample
15344 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15345 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15346 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15347 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15348 @end smallexample
15349
15350 @kindex whatis
15351 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15352 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15353 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15354 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15355
15356 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15357 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15358 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15359
15360 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15361 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15362 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15363 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15364 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15365 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15366 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15367 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15368 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15369
15370 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15371 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15372 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15373 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15374 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15375 unroll it.
15376
15377 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15378 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15379 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15380
15381 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15382 Available flags are:
15383
15384 @table @code
15385 @item r
15386 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15387 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15388 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15389
15390 @item m
15391 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15392
15393 @item M
15394 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15395 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15396
15397 @item t
15398 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15399 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15400 names are substituted when printing other types.
15401
15402 @item T
15403 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15404 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15405 @end table
15406
15407 @kindex ptype
15408 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15409 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15410 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15411 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15412
15413 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15414 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15415 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15416 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15417 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15418 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15419 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15420 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15421
15422 For example, for this variable declaration:
15423
15424 @smallexample
15425 typedef double real_t;
15426 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15427 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15428 complex_t var;
15429 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15430 @end smallexample
15431
15432 @noindent
15433 the two commands give this output:
15434
15435 @smallexample
15436 @group
15437 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15438 type = complex_t
15439 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15440 type = struct complex @{
15441 real_t real;
15442 double imag;
15443 @}
15444 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15445 type = struct complex
15446 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15447 type = struct complex
15448 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15449 type = struct complex @{
15450 real_t real;
15451 double imag;
15452 @}
15453 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15454 type = real_t *
15455 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15456 type = double *
15457 @end group
15458 @end smallexample
15459
15460 @noindent
15461 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15462 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15463
15464 @cindex incomplete type
15465 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15466 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15467 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15468 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15469 given these declarations:
15470
15471 @smallexample
15472 struct foo;
15473 struct foo *fooptr;
15474 @end smallexample
15475
15476 @noindent
15477 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15478
15479 @smallexample
15480 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15481 $1 = <incomplete type>
15482 @end smallexample
15483
15484 @noindent
15485 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15486 completely specified.
15487
15488 @kindex info types
15489 @item info types @var{regexp}
15490 @itemx info types
15491 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15492 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15493 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15494 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15495 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15496 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15497 name is @code{value}.
15498
15499 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15500 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15501 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15502
15503 @kindex info type-printers
15504 @item info type-printers
15505 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15506 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15507 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15508 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15509 type printers.
15510
15511 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15512
15513 @kindex enable type-printer
15514 @kindex disable type-printer
15515 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15516 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15517 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15518
15519 @kindex info scope
15520 @cindex local variables
15521 @item info scope @var{location}
15522 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15523 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15524 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15525 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15526 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15527
15528 @smallexample
15529 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15530 Scope for command_line_handler:
15531 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15532 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15533 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15534 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15535 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15536 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15537 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15538 @end smallexample
15539
15540 @noindent
15541 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15542 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15543 collect}.
15544
15545 @kindex info source
15546 @item info source
15547 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15548 the function containing the current point of execution:
15549 @itemize @bullet
15550 @item
15551 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15552 @item
15553 the directory it was compiled in,
15554 @item
15555 its length, in lines,
15556 @item
15557 which programming language it is written in,
15558 @item
15559 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15560 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15561 @item
15562 whether the debugging information includes information about
15563 preprocessor macros.
15564 @end itemize
15565
15566
15567 @kindex info sources
15568 @item info sources
15569 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15570 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15571 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15572
15573 @kindex info functions
15574 @item info functions
15575 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15576
15577 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15578 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15579 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15580 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15581 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15582 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15583 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15584 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15585
15586 @kindex info variables
15587 @item info variables
15588 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15589 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15590
15591 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15592 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15593 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15594 @var{regexp}.
15595
15596 @kindex info classes
15597 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15598 @item info classes
15599 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15600 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15601 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15602 expression.
15603
15604 @kindex info selectors
15605 @item info selectors
15606 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15607 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15608 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15609 expression.
15610
15611 @ignore
15612 This was never implemented.
15613 @kindex info methods
15614 @item info methods
15615 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15616 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15617 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15618 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15619 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15620 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15621 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15622 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15623 @end ignore
15624
15625 @cindex opaque data types
15626 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15627 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15628 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15629 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15630 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15631 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15632 another source file. The default is on.
15633
15634 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15635 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15636
15637 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15638 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15639 is printed as follows:
15640 @smallexample
15641 @{<no data fields>@}
15642 @end smallexample
15643
15644 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15645 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15646 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15647
15648 @kindex maint print symbols
15649 @cindex symbol dump
15650 @kindex maint print psymbols
15651 @cindex partial symbol dump
15652 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15653 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15654 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15655 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15656 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15657 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15658 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15659 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15660 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15661 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15662 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15663 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15664 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15665 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15666 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15667 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15668 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15669
15670 @kindex maint info symtabs
15671 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15672 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15673 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15674 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15675 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15676 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15677 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15678
15679 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15680 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15681 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15682 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15683 structure in more detail. For example:
15684
15685 @smallexample
15686 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15687 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15688 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15689 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15690 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15691 readin no
15692 fullname (null)
15693 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15694 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15695 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15696 dependencies (none)
15697 @}
15698 @}
15699 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15700 (@value{GDBP})
15701 @end smallexample
15702 @noindent
15703 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15704 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15705 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15706 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15707 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15708
15709 @smallexample
15710 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15711 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15712 line 1574.
15713 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15714 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15715 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15716 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15717 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15718 dirname (null)
15719 fullname (null)
15720 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15721 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15722 debugformat DWARF 2
15723 @}
15724 @}
15725 (@value{GDBP})
15726 @end smallexample
15727 @end table
15728
15729
15730 @node Altering
15731 @chapter Altering Execution
15732
15733 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15734 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15735 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15736 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15737 program.
15738
15739 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15740 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15741 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15742
15743 @menu
15744 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15745 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15746 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15747 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15748 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15749 * Patching:: Patching your program
15750 @end menu
15751
15752 @node Assignment
15753 @section Assignment to Variables
15754
15755 @cindex assignment
15756 @cindex setting variables
15757 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15758 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15759
15760 @smallexample
15761 print x=4
15762 @end smallexample
15763
15764 @noindent
15765 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15766 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15767 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15768 information on operators in supported languages.
15769
15770 @kindex set variable
15771 @cindex variables, setting
15772 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15773 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15774 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15775 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15776 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15777
15778 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15779 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15780 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15781 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15782 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15783 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15784 command @code{set width}:
15785
15786 @smallexample
15787 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15788 type = double
15789 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15790 $4 = 13
15791 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15792 Invalid syntax in expression.
15793 @end smallexample
15794
15795 @noindent
15796 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15797 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15798
15799 @smallexample
15800 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15801 @end smallexample
15802
15803 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15804 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15805 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15806 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15807 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15808 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15809
15810 @smallexample
15811 @group
15812 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15813 type = double
15814 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15815 $1 = 1
15816 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15817 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15818 $2 = 1
15819 (@value{GDBP}) r
15820 The program being debugged has been started already.
15821 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15822 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15823 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15824 Invalid bfd target.
15825 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15826 The current BFD target is "=4".
15827 @end group
15828 @end smallexample
15829
15830 @noindent
15831 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15832 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15833 @code{g}, use
15834
15835 @smallexample
15836 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15837 @end smallexample
15838
15839 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15840 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15841 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15842 same length or shorter.
15843 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15844 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15845
15846 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15847 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15848 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15849 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15850 and representation in memory), and
15851
15852 @smallexample
15853 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15854 @end smallexample
15855
15856 @noindent
15857 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15858
15859 @node Jumping
15860 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15861
15862 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15863 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15864 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15865
15866 @table @code
15867 @kindex jump
15868 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
15869 @item jump @var{linespec}
15870 @itemx j @var{linespec}
15871 @itemx jump @var{location}
15872 @itemx j @var{location}
15873 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15874 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15875 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15876 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15877 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15878 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15879
15880 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15881 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15882 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15883 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15884 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15885 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15886 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15887 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15888 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15889 @end table
15890
15891 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15892 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15893 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15894 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15895 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15896 example,
15897
15898 @smallexample
15899 set $pc = 0x485
15900 @end smallexample
15901
15902 @noindent
15903 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15904 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15905 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15906
15907 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15908 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15909 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15910 detail.
15911
15912 @c @group
15913 @node Signaling
15914 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15915 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15916
15917 @table @code
15918 @kindex signal
15919 @item signal @var{signal}
15920 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15921 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15922 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15923 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15924
15925 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15926 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15927 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
15928 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15929 signal.
15930
15931 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15932 after executing the command.
15933 @end table
15934 @c @end group
15935
15936 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15937 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15938 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15939 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15940 passes the signal directly to your program.
15941
15942
15943 @node Returning
15944 @section Returning from a Function
15945
15946 @table @code
15947 @cindex returning from a function
15948 @kindex return
15949 @item return
15950 @itemx return @var{expression}
15951 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15952 command. If you give an
15953 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15954 value.
15955 @end table
15956
15957 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15958 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15959 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15960 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15961
15962 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15963 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15964 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15965 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15966 of functions.
15967
15968 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15969 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15970 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15971 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15972 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15973
15974 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15975 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15976 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15977 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15978 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15979 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15980 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15981 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15982 assignment into the right register(s).
15983
15984 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15985 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15986 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15987 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15988 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15989 into a @code{long long int}:
15990
15991 @smallexample
15992 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15993 29 return 31;
15994 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15995 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15996 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15997 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15998 (@value{GDBP})
15999 @end smallexample
16000
16001 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16002 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16003 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16004 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16005 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16006 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16007 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16008 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16009
16010 @smallexample
16011 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16012 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16013 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16014 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16015 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16016 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16017 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16018 (@value{GDBP})
16019 @end smallexample
16020
16021 @node Calling
16022 @section Calling Program Functions
16023
16024 @table @code
16025 @cindex calling functions
16026 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16027 @item print @var{expr}
16028 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16029 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16030 debugged.
16031
16032 @kindex call
16033 @item call @var{expr}
16034 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16035 returned values.
16036
16037 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16038 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16039 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16040 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16041 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16042 value history.
16043 @end table
16044
16045 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16046 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16047 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16048 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16049
16050 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16051 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16052 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16053 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16054 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16055 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16056 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16057 in that case is controlled by the
16058 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16059
16060 @table @code
16061 @item set unwindonsignal
16062 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16063 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16064 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16065 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16066 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16067 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16068 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16069 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16070 received.
16071
16072 @item show unwindonsignal
16073 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16074 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16075 @value{GDBN}.
16076
16077 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16078 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16079 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16080 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16081 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16082 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16083 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16084 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16085 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16086 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16087
16088 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16089 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16090 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16091 @value{GDBN}.
16092
16093 @end table
16094
16095 @cindex weak alias functions
16096 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16097 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16098 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16099 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16100 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16101 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16102 function instead.
16103
16104 @node Patching
16105 @section Patching Programs
16106
16107 @cindex patching binaries
16108 @cindex writing into executables
16109 @cindex writing into corefiles
16110
16111 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16112 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16113 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16114 patching your program's binary.
16115
16116 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16117 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16118 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16119 repairs.
16120
16121 @table @code
16122 @kindex set write
16123 @item set write on
16124 @itemx set write off
16125 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16126 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16127 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16128
16129 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16130 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16131 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16132
16133 @item show write
16134 @kindex show write
16135 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16136 as well as reading.
16137 @end table
16138
16139 @node GDB Files
16140 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16141
16142 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16143 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16144 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16145 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16146
16147 @menu
16148 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16149 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16150 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16151 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16152 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16153 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16154 @end menu
16155
16156 @node Files
16157 @section Commands to Specify Files
16158
16159 @cindex symbol table
16160 @cindex core dump file
16161
16162 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16163 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16164 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16165 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16166
16167 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16168 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16169 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16170 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16171 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16172 new files are useful.
16173
16174 @table @code
16175 @cindex executable file
16176 @kindex file
16177 @item file @var{filename}
16178 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16179 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16180 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16181 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16182 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16183 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16184 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16185 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16186
16187 @cindex unlinked object files
16188 @cindex patching object files
16189 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16190 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16191 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16192 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16193 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16194 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16195 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16196 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16197
16198 @item file
16199 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16200 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16201
16202 @kindex exec-file
16203 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16204 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16205 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16206 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16207 discard information on the executable file.
16208
16209 @kindex symbol-file
16210 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16211 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16212 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16213 table and program to run from the same file.
16214
16215 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16216 program's symbol table.
16217
16218 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16219 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16220 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16221 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16222 @value{GDBN}.
16223
16224 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16225 executing it once.
16226
16227 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16228 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16229 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16230 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16231 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16232 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16233 optimized code.
16234
16235 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16236 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16237 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16238 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16239 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16240
16241 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16242 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16243 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16244 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16245 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16246 Warnings and Messages}.)
16247
16248 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16249 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16250 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16251 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16252 in stabs format.
16253
16254 @kindex readnow
16255 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16256 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16257 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16258 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16259 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16260 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16261 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16262 entire symbol table available.
16263
16264 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16265 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16266 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16267 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16268 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16269 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16270 @c files.
16271
16272 @kindex core-file
16273 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16274 @itemx core
16275 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16276 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16277 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16278 executable file itself for other parts.
16279
16280 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16281 to be used.
16282
16283 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16284 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16285 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16286 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16287 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16288
16289 @kindex add-symbol-file
16290 @cindex dynamic linking
16291 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16292 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16293 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16294 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16295 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16296 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16297 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16298 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16299 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16300 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16301 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16302 @var{address} as an expression.
16303
16304 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16305 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16306 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16307 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16308 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16309
16310 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16311 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16312 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16313 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16314 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16315 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16316 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16317 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16318 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16319
16320 @itemize @bullet
16321 @item
16322 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16323 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16324 @item
16325 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16326 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16327 @item
16328 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16329 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16330 @end itemize
16331
16332 @noindent
16333 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16334 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16335 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16336 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16337 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16338 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16339 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16340 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16341 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16342 way.
16343
16344 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16345
16346 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16347 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16348 @cindex load symbols from memory
16349 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16350 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16351 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16352 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16353 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16354 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16355 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16356 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16357 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16358
16359 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16360 @kindex assf
16361 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16362 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16363 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16364 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16365 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16366 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16367 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16368 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16369 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16370 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16371
16372 @kindex section
16373 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16374 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16375 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16376 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16377 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16378 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16379 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16380 their addresses.
16381
16382 @kindex info files
16383 @kindex info target
16384 @item info files
16385 @itemx info target
16386 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16387 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16388 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16389 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16390 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16391 current ones.
16392
16393 @kindex maint info sections
16394 @item maint info sections
16395 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16396 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16397 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16398 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16399 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16400 may be arbitrarily combined):
16401
16402 @table @code
16403 @item ALLOBJ
16404 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16405 @item @var{sections}
16406 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16407 @item @var{section-flags}
16408 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16409 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16410 @table @code
16411 @item ALLOC
16412 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16413 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16414 @item LOAD
16415 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16416 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16417 @item RELOC
16418 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16419 @item READONLY
16420 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16421 @item CODE
16422 Section contains executable code only.
16423 @item DATA
16424 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16425 @item ROM
16426 Section will reside in ROM.
16427 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16428 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16429 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16430 Section is not empty.
16431 @item NEVER_LOAD
16432 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16433 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16434 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16435 COFF shared library information.
16436 @item IS_COMMON
16437 Section contains common symbols.
16438 @end table
16439 @end table
16440 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16441 @cindex read-only sections
16442 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16443 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16444 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16445 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16446 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16447 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16448 enhancement to debugging performance.
16449
16450 The default is off.
16451
16452 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16453 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16454 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16455 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16456
16457 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16458 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16459 @end table
16460
16461 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16462 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16463 name and remembers it that way.
16464
16465 @cindex shared libraries
16466 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16467 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16468 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16469
16470 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16471 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16472
16473 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16474 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16475 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16476 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16477 debugging a core file).
16478
16479 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16480 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16481
16482 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16483 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16484 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16485
16486 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16487 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16488 particularly large or there are many of them.
16489
16490 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16491 commands:
16492
16493 @table @code
16494 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16495 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16496 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16497 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16498 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16499 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16500 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16501 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16502
16503 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16504 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16505 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16506 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16507 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16508 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16509 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16510 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16511 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16512
16513 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16514 @item show auto-solib-add
16515 Display the current autoloading mode.
16516 @end table
16517
16518 @cindex load shared library
16519 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16520 command:
16521
16522 @table @code
16523 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16524 @kindex info share
16525 @item info share @var{regex}
16526 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16527 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16528 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16529 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16530
16531 @kindex sharedlibrary
16532 @kindex share
16533 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16534 @itemx share @var{regex}
16535 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16536 Unix regular expression.
16537 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16538 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16539 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16540 loaded.
16541
16542 @item nosharedlibrary
16543 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16544 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16545 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16546 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16547 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16548 discarded.
16549 @end table
16550
16551 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16552 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16553 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16554 Catchpoints}).
16555
16556 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16557 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16558 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16559 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16560
16561 @table @code
16562 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16563 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16564 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16565 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16566 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16567 shared library.
16568
16569 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16570 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16571 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16572 library events happen.
16573 @end table
16574
16575 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16576 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16577 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16578 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16579 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16580 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16581 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16582 not.
16583
16584 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16585 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16586 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16587 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16588 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16589
16590 @table @code
16591 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16592 @cindex system root, alternate
16593 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16594 @kindex set sysroot
16595 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16596 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16597 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16598 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16599 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16600 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16601 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16602 under @var{path}.
16603
16604 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16605 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16606 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16607 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16608 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16609 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16610 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16611 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16612 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16613
16614 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16615 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16616 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16617 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16618 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16619
16620 @smallexample
16621 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16622 @end smallexample
16623
16624 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16625 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16626 system:
16627
16628 @smallexample
16629 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16630 @end smallexample
16631
16632 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16633 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16634 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16635 colons:
16636
16637 @smallexample
16638 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16639 @end smallexample
16640
16641 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16642 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16643 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16644 @samp{z}):
16645
16646 @smallexample
16647 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16648 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16649 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16650 @end smallexample
16651
16652 @noindent
16653 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16654 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16655 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16656
16657 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16658 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16659
16660 @smallexample
16661 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16662 @end smallexample
16663
16664 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16665 if you don't want or need to.
16666
16667 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16668 sysroot}.
16669
16670 @cindex default system root
16671 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16672 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16673 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16674 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16675 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16676 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16677 location.
16678
16679 @kindex show sysroot
16680 @item show sysroot
16681 Display the current shared library prefix.
16682
16683 @kindex set solib-search-path
16684 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16685 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16686 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16687 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16688 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16689 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16690 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16691 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16692 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16693 of shared library symbols.
16694
16695 @kindex show solib-search-path
16696 @item show solib-search-path
16697 Display the current shared library search path.
16698
16699 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16700 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16701 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16702 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16703 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16704
16705 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16706 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16707 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16708 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16709 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16710 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16711 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16712 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16713 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16714 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16715 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16716 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16717 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16718 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16719 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16720 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16721 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16722 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16723 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16724 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16725 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16726 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16727
16728 @table @code
16729 @item unix
16730 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16731 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16732 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16733 the forward slash.
16734
16735 @item dos-based
16736 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16737 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16738 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16739 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16740 considered directory separators.
16741
16742 @item auto
16743 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16744 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16745 This is the default.
16746 @end table
16747 @end table
16748
16749 @cindex file name canonicalization
16750 @cindex base name differences
16751 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16752 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16753 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16754 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16755 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16756 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16757 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16758 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16759 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16760 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16761 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16762 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16763 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16764 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16765 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16766
16767 @table @code
16768 @item set basenames-may-differ
16769 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16770 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16771
16772 @item show basenames-may-differ
16773 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16774 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16775 @end table
16776
16777 @node Separate Debug Files
16778 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16779 @cindex separate debugging information files
16780 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16781 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16782 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16783 @cindex global debugging information directories
16784 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16785 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16786
16787 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16788 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16789 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16790 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16791 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16792 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16793 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16794
16795 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16796 file:
16797
16798 @itemize @bullet
16799 @item
16800 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16801 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16802 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16803 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16804 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16805 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16806 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16807 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16808
16809 @item
16810 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16811 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16812 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16813 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16814 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16815 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16816 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16817 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16818 below.
16819 @end itemize
16820
16821 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16822 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16823
16824 @itemize @bullet
16825 @item
16826 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16827 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16828 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16829 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16830 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16831
16832 @item
16833 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16834 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16835 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16836 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16837 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16838 hex characters, not 10.)
16839 @end itemize
16840
16841 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16842 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16843 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16844 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16845 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16846 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16847
16848 @itemize @minus
16849 @item
16850 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16851 @item
16852 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16853 @item
16854 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16855 @item
16856 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16857 @end itemize
16858
16859 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16860 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16861 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16862 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16863 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16864
16865 @table @code
16866
16867 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16868 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16869 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16870 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16871 concatenating them by a path separator.
16872
16873 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16874 @item show debug-file-directory
16875 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16876 information files.
16877
16878 @end table
16879
16880 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16881 @cindex debug link sections
16882 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16883 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16884
16885 @itemize
16886 @item
16887 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16888 a zero byte,
16889 @item
16890 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16891 boundary within the section, and
16892 @item
16893 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16894 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16895 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16896 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16897 @end itemize
16898
16899 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16900 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16901 described above.
16902
16903 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16904 @cindex build ID sections
16905 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16906 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16907 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16908 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16909 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16910 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16911 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16912 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16913 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16914
16915 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16916 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16917 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16918 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16919 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16920 in an ordinary executable.
16921
16922 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16923 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16924 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16925 following commands:
16926
16927 @smallexample
16928 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16929 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16930 @end smallexample
16931
16932 @noindent
16933 These commands remove the debugging
16934 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16935 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16936 two files:
16937
16938 @itemize @bullet
16939 @item
16940 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16941 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16942
16943 @smallexample
16944 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16945 @end smallexample
16946
16947 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16948 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16949 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16950 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16951
16952 @item
16953 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16954 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16955 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16956 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16957 @end itemize
16958
16959 @noindent
16960
16961 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16962 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16963 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16964
16965 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16966 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16967 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16968 @c different ways!
16969 @ifhtml
16970 @display
16971 @html
16972 <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>
16973 + <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
16974 @end html
16975 @end display
16976 @end ifhtml
16977 @ifnothtml
16978 @display
16979 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16980 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16981 @end display
16982 @end ifnothtml
16983
16984 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16985 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16986 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16987 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16988 CRC.
16989
16990 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16991 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16992 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16993 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16994 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16995 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16996
16997 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16998 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16999 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17000 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17001 @code{0xffffffff}.
17002
17003 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17004 @smallexample
17005 unsigned long
17006 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17007 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17008 @{
17009 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17010 @{
17011 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17012 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17013 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17014 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17015 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17016 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17017 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17018 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17019 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17020 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17021 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17022 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17023 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17024 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17025 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17026 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17027 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17028 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17029 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17030 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17031 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17032 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17033 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17034 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17035 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17036 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17037 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17038 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17039 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17040 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17041 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17042 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17043 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17044 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17045 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17046 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17047 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17048 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17049 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17050 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17051 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17052 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17053 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17054 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17055 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17056 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17057 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17058 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17059 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17060 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17061 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17062 0x2d02ef8d
17063 @};
17064 unsigned char *end;
17065
17066 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17067 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17068 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17069 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17070 @}
17071 @end smallexample
17072
17073 @noindent
17074 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17075
17076 @node MiniDebugInfo
17077 @section Debugging information in a special section
17078 @cindex separate debug sections
17079 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17080
17081 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17082 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17083 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17084 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17085
17086 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17087 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17088 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17089 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17090 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17091 debugging information might be included in the section.
17092
17093 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17094 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17095 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17096
17097 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17098 standard utilities:
17099
17100 @smallexample
17101 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17102 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
17103 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17104 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17105
17106 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17107 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17108 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17109 | sort > funcsyms
17110
17111 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17112 # table.
17113 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17114
17115 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17116 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17117 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17118 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17119
17120 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17121 # original binary.
17122 xz mini_debuginfo
17123 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17124 @end smallexample
17125
17126 @node Index Files
17127 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17128 @cindex index files
17129 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17130
17131 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17132 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17133 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17134 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17135 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17136 startup.
17137
17138 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17139 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17140 using @command{objcopy}.
17141
17142 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17143
17144 @table @code
17145 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17146 @kindex save gdb-index
17147 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17148 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17149 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17150 @var{directory}.
17151 @end table
17152
17153 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17154 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17155
17156 @smallexample
17157 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17158 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17159 @end smallexample
17160
17161 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17162 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17163 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17164 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17165 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17166 The default is @code{off}.
17167 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17168 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17169
17170 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17171 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17172
17173 @smallexample
17174 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17175 @end smallexample
17176
17177 Instead you must do, for example,
17178
17179 @smallexample
17180 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17181 @end smallexample
17182
17183 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17184 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17185 currently work for programs using Ada.
17186
17187 @node Symbol Errors
17188 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17189
17190 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17191 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17192 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17193 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17194 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17195 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17196 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17197 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17198 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17199 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17200 Messages}).
17201
17202 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17203
17204 @table @code
17205 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17206
17207 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17208 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17209 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17210 in its outer scope blocks.
17211
17212 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17213 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17214 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17215 function.
17216
17217 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17218
17219 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17220 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17221 do so.
17222
17223 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17224 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17225 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17226 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17227 Messages}.)
17228
17229 @item bad block start address patched
17230
17231 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17232 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17233 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17234
17235 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17236 starting on the previous source line.
17237
17238 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17239
17240 @cindex foo
17241 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17242 larger than the size of the string table.
17243
17244 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17245 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17246 with this name.
17247
17248 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17249
17250 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17251 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17252 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17253
17254 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17255 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17256 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17257 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17258 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17259 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17260
17261 @item stub type has NULL name
17262
17263 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17264
17265 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17266 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17267 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17268 it.
17269
17270 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17271
17272 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17273
17274 @end table
17275
17276 @node Data Files
17277 @section GDB Data Files
17278
17279 @cindex prefix for data files
17280 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17281 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17282
17283 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17284 is currently using.
17285
17286 @table @code
17287 @kindex set data-directory
17288 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17289 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17290 to @var{directory}.
17291
17292 @kindex show data-directory
17293 @item show data-directory
17294 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17295 @end table
17296
17297 @cindex default data directory
17298 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17299 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17300 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17301 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17302 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17303 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17304 location.
17305
17306 The data directory may also be specified with the
17307 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17308 @xref{Mode Options}.
17309
17310 @node Targets
17311 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17312
17313 @cindex debugging target
17314 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17315
17316 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17317 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17318 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17319 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17320 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17321 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17322 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17323 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17324
17325 @cindex target architecture
17326 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17327 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17328 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17329 command.
17330
17331 @table @code
17332 @kindex set architecture
17333 @kindex show architecture
17334 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17335 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17336 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17337 supported architectures.
17338
17339 @item show architecture
17340 Show the current target architecture.
17341
17342 @item set processor
17343 @itemx processor
17344 @kindex set processor
17345 @kindex show processor
17346 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17347 and @code{show architecture}.
17348 @end table
17349
17350 @menu
17351 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17352 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17353 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17354 @end menu
17355
17356 @node Active Targets
17357 @section Active Targets
17358
17359 @cindex stacking targets
17360 @cindex active targets
17361 @cindex multiple targets
17362
17363 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17364 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17365 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17366 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17367 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17368 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17369 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17370 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17371 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17372
17373 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17374 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17375 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17376 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17377
17378 @node Target Commands
17379 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17380
17381 @table @code
17382 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17383 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17384 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17385 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17386 protocol of the target machine.
17387
17388 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17389 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17390 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17391
17392 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17393 after executing the command.
17394
17395 @kindex help target
17396 @item help target
17397 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17398 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17399 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17400
17401 @item help target @var{name}
17402 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17403 select it.
17404
17405 @kindex set gnutarget
17406 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17407 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17408 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17409 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17410 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17411 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17412
17413 @quotation
17414 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17415 you must know the actual BFD name.
17416 @end quotation
17417
17418 @noindent
17419 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17420
17421 @kindex show gnutarget
17422 @item show gnutarget
17423 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17424 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17425 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17426 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17427 @end table
17428
17429 @cindex common targets
17430 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17431 configuration):
17432
17433 @table @code
17434 @kindex target
17435 @item target exec @var{program}
17436 @cindex executable file target
17437 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17438 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17439
17440 @item target core @var{filename}
17441 @cindex core dump file target
17442 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17443 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17444
17445 @item target remote @var{medium}
17446 @cindex remote target
17447 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17448 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17449 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17450
17451 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17452 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17453
17454 @smallexample
17455 target remote /dev/ttya
17456 @end smallexample
17457
17458 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17459 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17460 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17461 clobbered by the download.
17462
17463 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17464 @cindex built-in simulator target
17465 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17466 In general,
17467 @smallexample
17468 target sim
17469 load
17470 run
17471 @end smallexample
17472 @noindent
17473 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17474 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17475 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17476 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17477 Processors}.
17478
17479 @end table
17480
17481 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17482
17483 @table @code
17484
17485 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17486 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17487 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17488
17489 @end table
17490
17491 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17492 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17493
17494 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17495 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17496 various aspects of this process.
17497
17498 @table @code
17499
17500 @item set hash
17501 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17502 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17503 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17504 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17505 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17506 monitor.
17507
17508 @item show hash
17509 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17510 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17511
17512 @item set debug monitor
17513 @kindex set debug monitor
17514 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17515 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17516 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17517
17518 @item show debug monitor
17519 @kindex show debug monitor
17520 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17521 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17522 @end table
17523
17524 @table @code
17525
17526 @kindex load @var{filename}
17527 @item load @var{filename}
17528 @anchor{load}
17529 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17530 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17531 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17532 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17533 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17534 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17535
17536 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17537 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17538 target is @dots{}}''
17539
17540 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17541 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17542 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17543 specifies a fixed address.
17544 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17545
17546 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17547 load programs into flash memory.
17548
17549 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17550 @end table
17551
17552 @node Byte Order
17553 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17554
17555 @cindex choosing target byte order
17556 @cindex target byte order
17557
17558 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17559 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17560 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17561 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17562 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17563 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17564
17565 @table @code
17566 @kindex set endian
17567 @item set endian big
17568 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17569
17570 @item set endian little
17571 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17572
17573 @item set endian auto
17574 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17575 executable.
17576
17577 @item show endian
17578 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17579
17580 @end table
17581
17582 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17583 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17584 target system.
17585
17586
17587 @node Remote Debugging
17588 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17589 @cindex remote debugging
17590
17591 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17592 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17593 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17594 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17595 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17596
17597 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17598 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17599 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17600 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17601 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17602 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17603
17604 Other remote targets may be available in your
17605 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17606
17607 @menu
17608 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17609 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17610 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17611 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17612 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17613 @end menu
17614
17615 @node Connecting
17616 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17617
17618 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17619 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17620 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17621 program as the first argument.
17622
17623 @cindex @code{target remote}
17624 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17625 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17626 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17627 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17628 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17629 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17630
17631 @table @code
17632
17633 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17634 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17635 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17636 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17637
17638 @smallexample
17639 target remote /dev/ttyb
17640 @end smallexample
17641
17642 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17643 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17644 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17645 @code{target} command.
17646
17647 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17648 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17649 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17650 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17651 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17652 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17653 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17654 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17655 target.
17656
17657 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17658 @code{manyfarms}:
17659
17660 @smallexample
17661 target remote manyfarms:2828
17662 @end smallexample
17663
17664 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17665 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17666 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17667 port 1234 on your local machine:
17668
17669 @smallexample
17670 target remote :1234
17671 @end smallexample
17672 @noindent
17673
17674 Note that the colon is still required here.
17675
17676 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17677 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17678 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17679 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17680
17681 @smallexample
17682 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17683 @end smallexample
17684
17685 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17686 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17687 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17688 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17689
17690 @item target remote | @var{command}
17691 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17692 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17693 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17694 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17695 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17696 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17697 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17698 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17699
17700 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17701 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17702 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17703
17704 @end table
17705
17706 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17707 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17708 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17709 need to use @kbd{run}.
17710
17711 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17712 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17713 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17714 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17715 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17716 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17717 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17718
17719 @smallexample
17720 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17721 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17722 @end smallexample
17723
17724 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17725 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17726 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17727 goes back to waiting.
17728
17729 @table @code
17730 @kindex detach (remote)
17731 @item detach
17732 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17733 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17734 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17735 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17736 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17737
17738 @kindex disconnect
17739 @item disconnect
17740 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17741 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17742 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17743 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17744 another target.
17745
17746 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17747 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17748 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17749 @kindex monitor
17750 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17751 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17752 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17753 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17754 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17755 and implement.
17756 @end table
17757
17758 @node File Transfer
17759 @section Sending files to a remote system
17760 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17761 @cindex file transfer
17762 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17763
17764 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17765 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17766 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17767 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17768 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17769 the only way to upload or download files.
17770
17771 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17772
17773 @table @code
17774 @kindex remote put
17775 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17776 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17777 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17778
17779 @kindex remote get
17780 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17781 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17782 on the host system.
17783
17784 @kindex remote delete
17785 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17786 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17787
17788 @end table
17789
17790 @node Server
17791 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17792
17793 @kindex gdbserver
17794 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17795 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17796 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17797 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17798
17799 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17800 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17801 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17802 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17803 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17804 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17805 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17806 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17807 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17808 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17809 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17810 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17811 choice for debugging.
17812
17813 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17814 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17815 protocol.
17816
17817 @quotation
17818 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17819 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17820 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17821 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17822 @code{gdbserver}.
17823 @end quotation
17824
17825 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17826 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17827 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17828
17829 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17830 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17831 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17832 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17833 system does all the symbol handling.
17834
17835 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17836 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17837 syntax is:
17838
17839 @smallexample
17840 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17841 @end smallexample
17842
17843 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17844 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17845 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17846 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17847 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17848 @file{/dev/com1}:
17849
17850 @smallexample
17851 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17852 @end smallexample
17853
17854 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17855 with it.
17856
17857 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17858
17859 @smallexample
17860 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17861 @end smallexample
17862
17863 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17864 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17865 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17866 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17867 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17868 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17869 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17870 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17871 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17872 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17873 @code{target remote} command.
17874
17875 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17876 with ssh:
17877
17878 @smallexample
17879 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17880 @end smallexample
17881
17882 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17883 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17884 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17885 You could elide it if you want to.
17886
17887 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17888 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17889 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17890 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17891
17892 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17893 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17894 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17895
17896 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17897 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17898
17899 @smallexample
17900 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17901 @end smallexample
17902
17903 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17904 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17905
17906 @pindex pidof
17907 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17908 @code{pidof} utility:
17909
17910 @smallexample
17911 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17912 @end smallexample
17913
17914 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17915 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17916 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17917
17918 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17919 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17920 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17921
17922 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17923 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17924 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17925 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17926
17927 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17928 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17929 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17930 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17931 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17932 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17933 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17934 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17935 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17936
17937 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17938 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17939 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17940 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17941 the program you want to debug.
17942
17943 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17944 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17945 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17946 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17947 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17948 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17949
17950 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17951
17952 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17953
17954 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17955 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17956 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17957 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17958 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17959 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17960 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17961 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17962
17963 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17964 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17965 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17966
17967 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17968 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17969 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17970 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17971 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17972 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17973 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17974 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17975 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17976 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17977 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17978 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17979
17980 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17981
17982 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17983 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17984 status information about the debugging process.
17985 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17986 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17987 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17988 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17989
17990 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17991 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17992 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17993 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17994 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17995
17996 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17997 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17998 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17999 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18000
18001 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18002 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18003 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18004 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18005
18006 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18007 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18008 environment:
18009
18010 @smallexample
18011 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18012 @end smallexample
18013
18014 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18015
18016 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18017
18018 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18019 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18020 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18021 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18022
18023 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18024 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18025 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18026 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18027 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18028 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18029 programs.
18030
18031 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18032 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18033 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18034 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18035 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18036 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18037 already on the target.
18038
18039 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18040 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18041 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18042
18043 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18044 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18045 Here are the available commands.
18046
18047 @table @code
18048 @item monitor help
18049 List the available monitor commands.
18050
18051 @item monitor set debug 0
18052 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18053 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18054
18055 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18056 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18057 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18058 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18059
18060 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18061 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18062 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18063 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18064 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18065 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18066
18067 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18068 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18069
18070 @item monitor exit
18071 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18072 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18073 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18074 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18075 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18076
18077 @end table
18078
18079 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18080 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18081
18082 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18083 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18084
18085 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18086 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18087 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18088 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18089 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18090 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18091 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18092 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18093 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18094 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18095 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18096 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18097
18098 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18099
18100 @table @code
18101 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18102
18103 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18104 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18105 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18106
18107 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18108
18109 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18110 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18111 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18112 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18113 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18114 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18115
18116 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18117
18118 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18119 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18120 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18121 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18122 command for that. For example:
18123
18124 @smallexample
18125 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18126 @end smallexample
18127
18128 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18129 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18130 @end table
18131
18132 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18133 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18134 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18135 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18136 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18137 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18138 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18139 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18140 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18141 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18142
18143 @smallexample
18144 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18145 @end smallexample
18146
18147 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18148
18149 @smallexample
18150 $ gdb myprogram
18151 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18152 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18153 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18154 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18155 @end smallexample
18156
18157 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18158 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18159 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18160 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18161 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18162 tracing.
18163
18164 @node Remote Configuration
18165 @section Remote Configuration
18166
18167 @kindex set remote
18168 @kindex show remote
18169 This section documents the configuration options available when
18170 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18171 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18172 system-call-allowed}.
18173
18174 @table @code
18175 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18176 @cindex address size for remote targets
18177 @cindex bits in remote address
18178 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18179 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18180 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18181 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18182
18183 @item show remoteaddresssize
18184 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18185
18186 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18187 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18188 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18189 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18190 remote targets.
18191
18192 @item show remotebaud
18193 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18194
18195 @item set remotebreak
18196 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18197 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18198 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18199 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18200 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18201 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18202 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18203 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18204
18205 @item show remotebreak
18206 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18207 interrupt the remote program.
18208
18209 @item set remoteflow on
18210 @itemx set remoteflow off
18211 @kindex set remoteflow
18212 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18213 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18214
18215 @item show remoteflow
18216 @kindex show remoteflow
18217 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18218
18219 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18220 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18221 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18222 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18223 @code{ascii}.
18224
18225 @item show remotelogbase
18226 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18227 protocol.
18228
18229 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18230 @cindex record serial communications on file
18231 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18232 default is not to record at all.
18233
18234 @item show remotelogfile.
18235 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18236 serial communications.
18237
18238 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18239 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18240 @cindex remote timeout
18241 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18242 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18243
18244 @item show remotetimeout
18245 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18246 responses.
18247
18248 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18249 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18250 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18251 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18252 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18253 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18254 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18255 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18256
18257 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18258 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18259 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18260 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18261 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18262 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18263 as unlimited.
18264
18265 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18266 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18267 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18268
18269 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18270 @itemx show remote exec-file
18271 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18272 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18273 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18274 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18275 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18276 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18277
18278 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18279 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18280 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18281 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18282 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18283 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18284 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18285 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18286 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18287 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18288
18289 @item show interrupt-sequence
18290 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18291 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18292 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18293 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18294
18295 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18296 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18297 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18298 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18299 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18300 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18301
18302 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18303 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18304 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18305
18306 @kindex set tcp
18307 @kindex show tcp
18308 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18309 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18310 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18311 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18312 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18313 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18314 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18315 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18316 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18317
18318 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18319 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18320
18321 @item show tcp auto-retry
18322 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18323
18324 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18325 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18326 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18327 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18328 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18329 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18330 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18331 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18332 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18333 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18334 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18335
18336 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18337 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18338 @end table
18339
18340 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18341 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18342 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18343 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18344 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18345 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18346 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18347 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18348 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18349
18350 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18351 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18352 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18353 @value{GDBN} developers.
18354
18355 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18356 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18357 are:
18358
18359 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18360 @item Command Name
18361 @tab Remote Packet
18362 @tab Related Features
18363
18364 @item @code{fetch-register}
18365 @tab @code{p}
18366 @tab @code{info registers}
18367
18368 @item @code{set-register}
18369 @tab @code{P}
18370 @tab @code{set}
18371
18372 @item @code{binary-download}
18373 @tab @code{X}
18374 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18375
18376 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18377 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18378 @tab @code{info auxv}
18379
18380 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18381 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18382 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18383
18384 @item @code{attach}
18385 @tab @code{vAttach}
18386 @tab @code{attach}
18387
18388 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18389 @tab @code{vCont}
18390 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18391
18392 @item @code{run}
18393 @tab @code{vRun}
18394 @tab @code{run}
18395
18396 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18397 @tab @code{Z0}
18398 @tab @code{break}
18399
18400 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18401 @tab @code{Z1}
18402 @tab @code{hbreak}
18403
18404 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18405 @tab @code{Z2}
18406 @tab @code{watch}
18407
18408 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18409 @tab @code{Z3}
18410 @tab @code{rwatch}
18411
18412 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18413 @tab @code{Z4}
18414 @tab @code{awatch}
18415
18416 @item @code{target-features}
18417 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18418 @tab @code{set architecture}
18419
18420 @item @code{library-info}
18421 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18422 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18423
18424 @item @code{memory-map}
18425 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18426 @tab @code{info mem}
18427
18428 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18429 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18430 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18431
18432 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18433 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18434 @tab @code{info spu}
18435
18436 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18437 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18438 @tab @code{info spu}
18439
18440 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18441 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18442 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18443
18444 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18445 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18446 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18447
18448 @item @code{threads}
18449 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18450 @tab @code{info threads}
18451
18452 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18453 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18454 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18455
18456 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18457 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18458 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18459
18460 @item @code{search-memory}
18461 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18462 @tab @code{find}
18463
18464 @item @code{supported-packets}
18465 @tab @code{qSupported}
18466 @tab Remote communications parameters
18467
18468 @item @code{pass-signals}
18469 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18470 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18471
18472 @item @code{program-signals}
18473 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18474 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18475
18476 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18477 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18478 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18479
18480 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18481 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18482 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18483
18484 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18485 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18486 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18487
18488 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18489 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18490 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18491
18492 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18493 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18494 @tab @code{remote delete}
18495
18496 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18497 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18498 @tab Host I/O
18499
18500 @item @code{noack-packet}
18501 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18502 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18503
18504 @item @code{osdata}
18505 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18506 @tab @code{info os}
18507
18508 @item @code{query-attached}
18509 @tab @code{qAttached}
18510 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18511
18512 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18513 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18514 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18515
18516 @item @code{trace-status}
18517 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18518 @tab @code{tstatus}
18519
18520 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18521 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18522 @tab Traceframe info
18523
18524 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18525 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18526 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18527
18528 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18529 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18530 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18531
18532 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18533 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18534 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18535 @end multitable
18536
18537 @node Remote Stub
18538 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18539
18540 @cindex debugging stub, example
18541 @cindex remote stub, example
18542 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18543 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18544 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18545 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18546 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18547 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18548 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18549 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18550
18551 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18552 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18553 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18554 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18555 program, you need:
18556
18557 @enumerate
18558 @item
18559 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18560 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18561 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18562
18563 @item
18564 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18565 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18566
18567 @item
18568 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18569 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18570 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18571 documentation.
18572 @end enumerate
18573
18574 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18575 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18576 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18577
18578 @table @emph
18579 @item On the host,
18580 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18581 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18582 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18583
18584 @item On the target,
18585 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18586 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18587 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18588
18589 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18590 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18591 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18592 @end table
18593
18594 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18595 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18596 @sc{sparc} boards.
18597
18598 @cindex remote serial stub list
18599 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18600
18601 @table @code
18602
18603 @item i386-stub.c
18604 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18605 @cindex Intel
18606 @cindex i386
18607 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18608
18609 @item m68k-stub.c
18610 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18611 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18612 @cindex m680x0
18613 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18614
18615 @item sh-stub.c
18616 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18617 @cindex Renesas
18618 @cindex SH
18619 For Renesas SH architectures.
18620
18621 @item sparc-stub.c
18622 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18623 @cindex Sparc
18624 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18625
18626 @item sparcl-stub.c
18627 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18628 @cindex Fujitsu
18629 @cindex SparcLite
18630 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18631
18632 @end table
18633
18634 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18635 recently added stubs.
18636
18637 @menu
18638 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18639 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18640 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18641 @end menu
18642
18643 @node Stub Contents
18644 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18645
18646 @cindex remote serial stub
18647 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18648 subroutines:
18649
18650 @table @code
18651 @item set_debug_traps
18652 @findex set_debug_traps
18653 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18654 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18655 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18656 program's startup code.
18657
18658 @item handle_exception
18659 @findex handle_exception
18660 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18661 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18662 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18663 run when a trap is triggered.
18664
18665 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18666 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18667 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18668 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18669 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18670 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18671 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18672 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18673 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18674 machine.
18675
18676 @item breakpoint
18677 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18678 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18679 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18680 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18681 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18682 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18683 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18684 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18685 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18686 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18687 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18688
18689 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18690 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18691 start of your debugging session.
18692 @end table
18693
18694 @node Bootstrapping
18695 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18696
18697 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18698 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18699 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18700 debugging target machine.
18701
18702 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18703 serial port.
18704
18705 @table @code
18706 @item int getDebugChar()
18707 @findex getDebugChar
18708 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18709 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18710 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18711
18712 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18713 @findex putDebugChar
18714 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18715 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18716 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18717 @end table
18718
18719 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18720 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18721 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18722 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18723 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18724 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18725 remote system to stop.
18726
18727 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18728 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18729 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18730 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18731
18732 Other routines you need to supply are:
18733
18734 @table @code
18735 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18736 @findex exceptionHandler
18737 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18738 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18739 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18740 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18741 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18742 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18743 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18744 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18745 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18746 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18747 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18748 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18749 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18750
18751 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18752 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18753 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18754 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18755 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18756
18757 @item void flush_i_cache()
18758 @findex flush_i_cache
18759 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18760 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18761 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18762
18763 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18764 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18765 @end table
18766
18767 @noindent
18768 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18769
18770 @table @code
18771 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18772 @findex memset
18773 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18774 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18775 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18776 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18777 @end table
18778
18779 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18780 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18781 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18782 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18783
18784
18785 @node Debug Session
18786 @subsection Putting it All Together
18787
18788 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18789 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18790 steps.
18791
18792 @enumerate
18793 @item
18794 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18795 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18796 @display
18797 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18798 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18799 @end display
18800
18801 @item
18802 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18803 procedure is called:
18804
18805 @smallexample
18806 set_debug_traps();
18807 breakpoint();
18808 @end smallexample
18809
18810 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18811 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18812 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18813 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18814 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18815 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18816 progress.
18817
18818 @item
18819 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18820 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18821
18822 @smallexample
18823 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18824 @end smallexample
18825
18826 @noindent
18827 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18828 function in your program, that function is called when
18829 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18830 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18831 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18832
18833 @item
18834 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18835 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18836
18837 @item
18838 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18839 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18840
18841 @item
18842 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18843 @c document that. FIXME.
18844 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18845 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18846
18847 @item
18848 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18849 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18850
18851 @end enumerate
18852
18853 @node Configurations
18854 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18855
18856 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18857 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18858 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18859
18860 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18861 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18862 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18863 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18864 are quite different from each other.
18865
18866 @menu
18867 * Native::
18868 * Embedded OS::
18869 * Embedded Processors::
18870 * Architectures::
18871 @end menu
18872
18873 @node Native
18874 @section Native
18875
18876 This section describes details specific to particular native
18877 configurations.
18878
18879 @menu
18880 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18881 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18882 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18883 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18884 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18885 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18886 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18887 @end menu
18888
18889 @node HP-UX
18890 @subsection HP-UX
18891
18892 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18893 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18894 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18895
18896
18897 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18898 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18899
18900 @cindex libkvm
18901 @cindex kernel memory image
18902 @cindex kernel crash dump
18903
18904 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18905 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18906 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18907 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18908 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18909 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18910 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18911 @code{kvm} target:
18912
18913 @smallexample
18914 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18915 @end smallexample
18916
18917 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18918 argument:
18919
18920 @smallexample
18921 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18922 @end smallexample
18923
18924 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18925 available:
18926
18927 @table @code
18928 @kindex kvm
18929 @item kvm pcb
18930 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18931
18932 @item kvm proc
18933 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18934 modern FreeBSD systems.
18935 @end table
18936
18937 @node SVR4 Process Information
18938 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18939 @cindex /proc
18940 @cindex examine process image
18941 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18942
18943 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18944 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18945 process using file-system subroutines.
18946
18947 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
18948 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
18949 information about the process running your program, or about any
18950 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
18951 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
18952 not HP-UX, for example.
18953
18954 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
18955 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
18956
18957 @table @code
18958 @kindex info proc
18959 @cindex process ID
18960 @item info proc
18961 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18962 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18963 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18964 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18965 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18966 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18967 executable file's absolute file name.
18968
18969 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18970 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18971 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18972 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18973 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18974 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18975
18976 @item info proc cmdline
18977 @cindex info proc cmdline
18978 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
18979 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18980
18981 @item info proc cwd
18982 @cindex info proc cwd
18983 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
18984 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18985
18986 @item info proc exe
18987 @cindex info proc exe
18988 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
18989 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18990
18991 @item info proc mappings
18992 @cindex memory address space mappings
18993 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18994 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18995 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18996 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18997 memory access rights to that range.
18998
18999 @item info proc stat
19000 @itemx info proc status
19001 @cindex process detailed status information
19002 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19003 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19004 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19005 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19006 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19007 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19008 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19009
19010 @item info proc all
19011 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19012 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19013
19014 @ignore
19015 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19016 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19017 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19018 @kindex info proc times
19019 @item info proc times
19020 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19021 its children.
19022
19023 @kindex info proc id
19024 @item info proc id
19025 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19026 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19027 @end ignore
19028
19029 @item set procfs-trace
19030 @kindex set procfs-trace
19031 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19032 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19033
19034 @item show procfs-trace
19035 @kindex show procfs-trace
19036 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19037
19038 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19039 @kindex set procfs-file
19040 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19041 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19042 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19043 standard output.
19044
19045 @item show procfs-file
19046 @kindex show procfs-file
19047 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19048
19049 @item proc-trace-entry
19050 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19051 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19052 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19053 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19054 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19055 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19056 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19057 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19058 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19059
19060 @item info pidlist
19061 @kindex info pidlist
19062 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19063 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19064 processes and all the threads within each process.
19065
19066 @item info meminfo
19067 @kindex info meminfo
19068 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19069 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19070 @end table
19071
19072 @node DJGPP Native
19073 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19074 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19075 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19076 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19077
19078 @cindex DPMI
19079 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19080 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19081 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19082 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19083
19084 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19085 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19086 subsection describes those commands.
19087
19088 @table @code
19089 @kindex info dos
19090 @item info dos
19091 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19092 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19093
19094 @kindex sysinfo
19095 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19096 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19097 @item info dos sysinfo
19098 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19099 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19100 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19101
19102 @cindex GDT
19103 @cindex LDT
19104 @cindex IDT
19105 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19106 @cindex descriptor tables display
19107 @item info dos gdt
19108 @itemx info dos ldt
19109 @itemx info dos idt
19110 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19111 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19112 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19113 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19114 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19115 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19116 rights.
19117
19118 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19119 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19120 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19121 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19122 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19123
19124 @cindex garbled pointers
19125 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19126 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19127 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19128 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19129 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19130 debugged program's data segment:
19131
19132 @smallexample
19133 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19134 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19135 @end smallexample
19136
19137 @noindent
19138 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19139 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19140
19141 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19142 @item info dos pde
19143 @itemx info dos pte
19144 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19145 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19146 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19147 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19148 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19149 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19150 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19151 that is currently in use.
19152
19153 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19154 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19155 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19156 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19157 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19158 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19159 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19160
19161 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19162 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19163 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19164 controller.
19165
19166 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19167
19168 @cindex physical address from linear address
19169 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19170 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19171 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19172 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19173 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19174 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19175 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19176
19177 @smallexample
19178 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19179 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19180 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19181 @end smallexample
19182
19183 @noindent
19184 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19185 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19186 attributes of that page.
19187
19188 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19189 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19190 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19191 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19192 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19193 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19194
19195 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19196 transfer buffer:
19197
19198 @smallexample
19199 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19200 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19201 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19202 @end smallexample
19203
19204 @noindent
19205 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19206 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19207 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19208 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19209 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19210
19211 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19212 @end table
19213
19214 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19215 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19216 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19217 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19218
19219 @table @code
19220 @kindex set com1base
19221 @kindex set com1irq
19222 @kindex set com2base
19223 @kindex set com2irq
19224 @kindex set com3base
19225 @kindex set com3irq
19226 @kindex set com4base
19227 @kindex set com4irq
19228 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19229 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19230 port.
19231
19232 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19233 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19234 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19235
19236 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19237 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19238 other 3 COM ports.
19239
19240 @kindex show com1base
19241 @kindex show com1irq
19242 @kindex show com2base
19243 @kindex show com2irq
19244 @kindex show com3base
19245 @kindex show com3irq
19246 @kindex show com4base
19247 @kindex show com4irq
19248 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19249 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19250 lines used by the COM ports.
19251
19252 @item info serial
19253 @kindex info serial
19254 @cindex DOS serial port status
19255 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19256 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19257 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19258 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19259 @end table
19260
19261
19262 @node Cygwin Native
19263 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19264 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19265 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19266 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19267
19268 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19269 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19270
19271 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19272 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19273 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19274 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19275 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19276 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19277 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19278 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19279
19280 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19281 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19282 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19283
19284 @table @code
19285 @kindex info w32
19286 @item info w32
19287 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19288 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19289
19290 @item info w32 selector
19291 This command displays information returned by
19292 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19293 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19294 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19295 Without argument, this command displays information
19296 about the six segment registers.
19297
19298 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19299 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19300 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19301 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19302
19303 @kindex info dll
19304 @item info dll
19305 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19306
19307 @kindex dll-symbols
19308 @item dll-symbols
19309 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19310 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19311
19312 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19313 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19314 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19315 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19316 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19317 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19318 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19319 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19320 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19321 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19322 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19323
19324 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19325 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19326 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19327 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19328
19329 @kindex set new-console
19330 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19331 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19332 be started in a new console on next start.
19333 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19334 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19335
19336 @kindex show new-console
19337 @item show new-console
19338 Displays whether a new console is used
19339 when the debuggee is started.
19340
19341 @kindex set new-group
19342 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19343 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19344 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19345 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19346 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19347
19348 @kindex show new-group
19349 @item show new-group
19350 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19351
19352 @kindex set debugevents
19353 @item set debugevents
19354 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19355 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19356 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19357 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19358 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19359
19360 @kindex set debugexec
19361 @item set debugexec
19362 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19363 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19364
19365 @kindex set debugexceptions
19366 @item set debugexceptions
19367 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19368 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19369
19370 @kindex set debugmemory
19371 @item set debugmemory
19372 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19373 and writes by the debugger.
19374
19375 @kindex set shell
19376 @item set shell
19377 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19378 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19379
19380 @kindex show shell
19381 @item show shell
19382 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19383
19384 @end table
19385
19386 @menu
19387 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19388 @end menu
19389
19390 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19391 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19392 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19393 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19394
19395 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19396 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19397 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19398 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19399 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19400 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19401 ``minimal symbols''.
19402
19403 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19404 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19405 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19406 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19407 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19408 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19409 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19410 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19411 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19412 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19413
19414 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19415
19416 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19417 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19418 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19419 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19420 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19421 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19422 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19423 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19424 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19425
19426 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19427 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19428 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19429 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19430 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19431 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19432
19433 @smallexample
19434 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19435 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19436
19437 Non-debugging symbols:
19438 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19439 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19440 @end smallexample
19441
19442 @smallexample
19443 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19444 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19445
19446 Non-debugging symbols:
19447 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19448 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19449 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19450 [etc...]
19451 @end smallexample
19452
19453 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19454
19455 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19456 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19457 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19458 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19459 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19460 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19461 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19462
19463 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19464 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19465 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19466 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19467 problem:
19468
19469 @smallexample
19470 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19471 $1 = 268572168
19472 @end smallexample
19473
19474 @smallexample
19475 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19476 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19477 @end smallexample
19478
19479 And two possible solutions:
19480
19481 @smallexample
19482 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19483 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19484 @end smallexample
19485
19486 @smallexample
19487 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19488 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19489 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19490 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19491 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19492 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19493 @end smallexample
19494
19495 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19496 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19497 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19498 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19499 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19500
19501 @smallexample
19502 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19503 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19504 @end smallexample
19505
19506 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19507 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19508 safe.
19509
19510 @node Hurd Native
19511 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19512 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19513
19514 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19515 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19516
19517 @table @code
19518 @item set signals
19519 @itemx set sigs
19520 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19521 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19522 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19523 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19524 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19525 @code{signals}.
19526
19527 @item show signals
19528 @itemx show sigs
19529 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19530 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19531 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19532
19533 @item set signal-thread
19534 @itemx set sigthread
19535 @kindex set signal-thread
19536 @kindex set sigthread
19537 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19538 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19539 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19540 signal-thread}.
19541
19542 @item show signal-thread
19543 @itemx show sigthread
19544 @kindex show signal-thread
19545 @kindex show sigthread
19546 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19547 delivered a signal.
19548
19549 @item set stopped
19550 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19551 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19552 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19553 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19554
19555 @item show stopped
19556 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19557 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19558 stopped.
19559
19560 @item set exceptions
19561 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19562 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19563 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19564 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19565 trapping on.
19566
19567 @item show exceptions
19568 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19569 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19570
19571 @item set task pause
19572 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19573 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19574 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19575 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19576 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19577 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19578 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19579 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19580 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19581
19582 @item show task pause
19583 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19584 Show the current state of task suspension.
19585
19586 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19587 @cindex task suspend count
19588 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19589 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19590 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19591
19592 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19593 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19594
19595 @item set task exception-port
19596 @itemx set task excp
19597 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19598 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19599 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19600 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19601
19602 @item set noninvasive
19603 @cindex noninvasive task options
19604 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19605 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19606 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19607 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19608
19609 @item info send-rights
19610 @itemx info receive-rights
19611 @itemx info port-rights
19612 @itemx info port-sets
19613 @itemx info dead-names
19614 @itemx info ports
19615 @itemx info psets
19616 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19617 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19618 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19619 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19620 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19621 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19622 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19623 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19624 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19625
19626 @item set thread pause
19627 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19628 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19629 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19630 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19631 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19632 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19633 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19634 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19635 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19636 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19637 only the current thread.
19638
19639 @item show thread pause
19640 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19641 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19642
19643 @item set thread run
19644 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19645
19646 @item show thread run
19647 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19648
19649 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19650 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19651 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19652 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19653 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19654 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19655 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19656
19657 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19658 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19659 detaching.
19660
19661 @item set thread exception-port
19662 @itemx set thread excp
19663 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19664 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19665 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19666
19667 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19668 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19669 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19670 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19671
19672 @item set thread default
19673 @itemx show thread default
19674 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19675 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19676 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19677 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19678 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19679 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19680 the non-default commands.
19681 @end table
19682
19683 @node Darwin
19684 @subsection Darwin
19685 @cindex Darwin
19686
19687 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19688
19689 @table @code
19690 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19691 @kindex set debug darwin
19692 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19693 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19694
19695 @item show debug darwin
19696 @kindex show debug darwin
19697 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19698
19699 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19700 @kindex set debug mach-o
19701 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19702 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19703 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19704 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19705 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19706 usage.
19707
19708 @item show debug mach-o
19709 @kindex show debug mach-o
19710 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19711
19712 @item set mach-exceptions on
19713 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19714 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19715 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19716 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19717 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19718 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19719
19720 @item show mach-exceptions
19721 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19722 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19723 @end table
19724
19725
19726 @node Embedded OS
19727 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19728
19729 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19730 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19731 architectures.
19732
19733 @menu
19734 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19735 @end menu
19736
19737 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19738 various real-time operating systems.
19739
19740 @node VxWorks
19741 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19742
19743 @cindex VxWorks
19744
19745 @table @code
19746
19747 @kindex target vxworks
19748 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19749 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19750 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19751
19752 @end table
19753
19754 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19755 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19756
19757 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19758 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19759 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19760 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19761 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19762 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19763 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19764
19765 @table @code
19766 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19767 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19768 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19769 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19770 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19771 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19772 of a thin network line.
19773 @end table
19774
19775 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19776 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19777 procedures.
19778
19779 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19780 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19781 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19782 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19783 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19784 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19785 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19786 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19787 manual.
19788 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19789
19790 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19791 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19792 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19793 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19794
19795 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19796
19797 @smallexample
19798 (vxgdb)
19799 @end smallexample
19800
19801 @menu
19802 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19803 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19804 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19805 @end menu
19806
19807 @node VxWorks Connection
19808 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19809
19810 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19811 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19812
19813 @smallexample
19814 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19815 @end smallexample
19816
19817 @need 750
19818 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19819
19820 @smallexample
19821 Attaching remote machine across net...
19822 Connected to tt.
19823 @end smallexample
19824
19825 @need 1000
19826 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19827 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19828 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19829 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19830 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19831
19832 @smallexample
19833 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19834 @end smallexample
19835
19836 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19837 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19838 command again.
19839
19840 @node VxWorks Download
19841 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19842
19843 @cindex download to VxWorks
19844 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19845 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19846 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19847 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19848 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19849 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19850 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19851 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19852 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19853 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19854 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19855 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19856 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19857 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19858 program, type this on VxWorks:
19859
19860 @smallexample
19861 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19862 @end smallexample
19863
19864 @noindent
19865 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19866
19867 @smallexample
19868 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19869 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19870 @end smallexample
19871
19872 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19873
19874 @smallexample
19875 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19876 @end smallexample
19877
19878 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19879 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19880 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19881 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19882 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19883 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19884 table.)
19885
19886 @node VxWorks Attach
19887 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19888
19889 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19890 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19891 follows:
19892
19893 @smallexample
19894 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19895 @end smallexample
19896
19897 @noindent
19898 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19899 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19900 the time of attachment.
19901
19902 @node Embedded Processors
19903 @section Embedded Processors
19904
19905 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19906 configurations.
19907
19908 @cindex send command to simulator
19909 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19910 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19911
19912 @table @code
19913 @item sim @var{command}
19914 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19915 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19916 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19917 acceptable commands.
19918 @end table
19919
19920
19921 @menu
19922 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19923 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19924 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19925 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19926 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19927 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19928 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19929 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19930 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19931 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19932 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19933 * CRIS:: CRIS
19934 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19935 @end menu
19936
19937 @node ARM
19938 @subsection ARM
19939 @cindex ARM RDI
19940
19941 @table @code
19942 @kindex target rdi
19943 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19944 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19945 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19946 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19947
19948 @kindex target rdp
19949 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19950 ARM Demon monitor.
19951
19952 @end table
19953
19954 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19955
19956 @table @code
19957 @item set arm disassembler
19958 @kindex set arm
19959 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19960 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19961
19962 @item show arm disassembler
19963 @kindex show arm
19964 Show the current disassembly style.
19965
19966 @item set arm apcs32
19967 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19968 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19969
19970 @item show arm apcs32
19971 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19972
19973 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19974 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19975 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19976
19977 @table @code
19978 @item auto
19979 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19980 @item softfpa
19981 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19982 processors.
19983 @item fpa
19984 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19985 @item softvfp
19986 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19987 @item vfp
19988 VFP co-processor.
19989 @end table
19990
19991 @item show arm fpu
19992 Show the current type of the FPU.
19993
19994 @item set arm abi
19995 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19996
19997 @item show arm abi
19998 Show the currently used ABI.
19999
20000 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20001 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20002 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20003 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20004 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20005 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20006 register).
20007
20008 @item show arm fallback-mode
20009 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20010
20011 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20012 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20013 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20014 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20015 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20016
20017 @item show arm force-mode
20018 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20019
20020 @item set debug arm
20021 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20022 target support subsystem.
20023
20024 @item show debug arm
20025 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20026 @end table
20027
20028 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20029 using the RDI interface:
20030
20031 @table @code
20032 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20033 @kindex rdilogfile
20034 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20035 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20036 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20037 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20038 @file{rdi.log}.
20039
20040 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20041 @kindex rdilogenable
20042 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20043 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20044 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20045 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20046 are logged to a file.
20047
20048 @item set rdiromatzero
20049 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20050 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20051 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20052 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20053 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20054 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20055
20056 @item show rdiromatzero
20057 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20058 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20059
20060 @item set rdiheartbeat
20061 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20062 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20063 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20064 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20065 well as the Angel monitor.
20066
20067 @item show rdiheartbeat
20068 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20069 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20070 @end table
20071
20072 @table @code
20073 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20074 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20075
20076 @table @code
20077 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20078 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20079 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20080 The default value is @code{all}.
20081
20082 @table @code
20083 @item none
20084 @item demon
20085 @item angel
20086 @item redboot
20087 @item all
20088 @end table
20089 @end table
20090 @end table
20091
20092 @node M32R/D
20093 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20094
20095 @table @code
20096 @kindex target m32r
20097 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20098 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20099
20100 @kindex target m32rsdi
20101 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20102 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20103 @end table
20104
20105 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20106
20107 @table @code
20108 @item set download-path @var{path}
20109 @kindex set download-path
20110 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20111 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20112
20113 @item show download-path
20114 @kindex show download-path
20115 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20116
20117 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20118 @kindex set board-address
20119 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20120 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20121
20122 @item show board-address
20123 @kindex show board-address
20124 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20125
20126 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20127 @kindex set server-address
20128 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20129 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20130 host machine.
20131
20132 @item show server-address
20133 @kindex show server-address
20134 Display the IP address of the download server.
20135
20136 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20137 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20138 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20139 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20140 executable file is uploaded.
20141
20142 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20143 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20144 Test the @code{upload} command.
20145 @end table
20146
20147 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20148
20149 @table @code
20150 @item sdireset
20151 @kindex sdireset
20152 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20153 This command resets the SDI connection.
20154
20155 @item sdistatus
20156 @kindex sdistatus
20157 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20158
20159 @item debug_chaos
20160 @kindex debug_chaos
20161 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20162 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20163
20164 @item use_debug_dma
20165 @kindex use_debug_dma
20166 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20167
20168 @item use_mon_code
20169 @kindex use_mon_code
20170 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20171
20172 @item use_ib_break
20173 @kindex use_ib_break
20174 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20175
20176 @item use_dbt_break
20177 @kindex use_dbt_break
20178 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20179 @end table
20180
20181 @node M68K
20182 @subsection M68k
20183
20184 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20185 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20186
20187 @table @code
20188
20189 @kindex target dbug
20190 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20191 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20192
20193 @end table
20194
20195 @node MicroBlaze
20196 @subsection MicroBlaze
20197 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20198 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20199
20200 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20201 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20202 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20203 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20204 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20205 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20206 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20207 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20208 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20209 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20210 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20211
20212 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20213
20214 @table @code
20215 @item target remote :1234
20216 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20217 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20218
20219 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20220 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20221 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20222
20223 @item load
20224 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20225
20226 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20227 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20228
20229 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20230 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20231 @end table
20232
20233 @node MIPS Embedded
20234 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20235
20236 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20237 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20238 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20239 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20240
20241 @need 1000
20242 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20243
20244 @table @code
20245 @item target mips @var{port}
20246 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20247 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20248 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20249 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20250 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20251 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20252 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20253
20254 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20255 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20256 debugger:
20257
20258 @smallexample
20259 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20260 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20261 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20262 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20263 (@value{GDBP}) run
20264 @end smallexample
20265
20266 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20267 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20268 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20269 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20270 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20271
20272 @item target pmon @var{port}
20273 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20274 PMON ROM monitor.
20275
20276 @item target ddb @var{port}
20277 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20278 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20279
20280 @item target lsi @var{port}
20281 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20282 LSI variant of PMON.
20283
20284 @kindex target r3900
20285 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20286 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20287
20288 @kindex target array
20289 @item target array @var{dev}
20290 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20291
20292 @end table
20293
20294
20295 @noindent
20296 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20297
20298 @table @code
20299 @item set mipsfpu double
20300 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20301 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20302 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20303 @itemx show mipsfpu
20304 @kindex set mipsfpu
20305 @kindex show mipsfpu
20306 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20307 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20308 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20309 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20310 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20311 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20312 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20313 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20314 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20315 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20316 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20317 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20318 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20319
20320 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20321 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20322 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20323
20324 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20325 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20326
20327 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20328 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20329 @itemx show timeout
20330 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20331 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20332 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20333 @kindex set timeout
20334 @kindex show timeout
20335 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20336 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20337 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20338 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20339 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20340 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20341 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20342 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20343 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20344 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20345
20346 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20347 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20348 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20349 to run before stopping.
20350
20351 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20352 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20353 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20354 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20355 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20356 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20357
20358 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20359 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20360 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20361 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20362
20363 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20364 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20365 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20366 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20367 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20368 @table @asis
20369 @item pmon target
20370 @samp{PMON}
20371 @item ddb target
20372 @samp{NEC010}
20373 @item lsi target
20374 @samp{PMON>}
20375 @end table
20376
20377 @item show monitor-prompt
20378 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20379 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20380 remote monitor.
20381
20382 @item set monitor-warnings
20383 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20384 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20385 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20386 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20387 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20388
20389 @item show monitor-warnings
20390 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20391 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20392
20393 @item pmon @var{command}
20394 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20395 @cindex send PMON command
20396 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20397 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20398 @end table
20399
20400 @node PowerPC Embedded
20401 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20402
20403 @cindex DVC register
20404 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20405 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20406
20407 @smallexample
20408 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20409 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20410 @end smallexample
20411
20412 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20413 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20414 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20415 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20416 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20417 or newer.
20418
20419 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20420 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20421 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20422 watching variables of scalar types.
20423
20424 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20425 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20426
20427 @smallexample
20428 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20429 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20430 @end smallexample
20431
20432 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20433 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20434
20435 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20436 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20437 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20438 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20439 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20440 use the @code{break-range} command.
20441
20442 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20443
20444 @table @code
20445 @kindex break-range
20446 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20447 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20448 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20449 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20450 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20451 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20452 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20453 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20454 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20455
20456 @kindex set powerpc
20457 @item set powerpc soft-float
20458 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20459 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20460 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20461 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20462
20463 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20464 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20465 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20466 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20467 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20468 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20469 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20470 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20471
20472 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20473 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20474 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20475 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20476 address of its first byte.
20477
20478 @kindex target dink32
20479 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20480 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20481
20482 @kindex target ppcbug
20483 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20484 @kindex target ppcbug1
20485 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20486 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20487
20488 @kindex target sds
20489 @item target sds @var{dev}
20490 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20491 @end table
20492
20493 @cindex SDS protocol
20494 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20495 by @value{GDBN}:
20496
20497 @table @code
20498 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20499 @kindex set sdstimeout
20500 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20501 default is 2 seconds.
20502
20503 @item show sdstimeout
20504 @kindex show sdstimeout
20505 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20506
20507 @item sds @var{command}
20508 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20509 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20510 @end table
20511
20512
20513 @node PA
20514 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20515
20516 @table @code
20517
20518 @kindex target op50n
20519 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20520 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20521
20522 @kindex target w89k
20523 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20524 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20525
20526 @end table
20527
20528 @node Sparclet
20529 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20530
20531 @cindex Sparclet
20532
20533 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20534 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20535 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20536 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20537 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20538
20539 @table @code
20540 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20541 @kindex remotetimeout
20542 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20543 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20544 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20545 @end table
20546
20547 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20548 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20549 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20550 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20551 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20552
20553 @smallexample
20554 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20555 @end smallexample
20556
20557 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20558
20559 @smallexample
20560 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20561 @end smallexample
20562
20563 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20564 Once you have set
20565 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20566 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20567 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20568
20569 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20570
20571 @smallexample
20572 (gdbslet)
20573 @end smallexample
20574
20575 @menu
20576 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20577 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20578 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20579 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20580 @end menu
20581
20582 @node Sparclet File
20583 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20584
20585 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20586
20587 @smallexample
20588 (gdbslet) file prog
20589 @end smallexample
20590
20591 @need 1000
20592 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20593 @value{GDBN} locates
20594 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20595 path.
20596 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20597 files will be searched as well.
20598 @value{GDBN} locates
20599 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20600 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20601 If it fails
20602 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20603
20604 @smallexample
20605 prog: No such file or directory.
20606 @end smallexample
20607
20608 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20609 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20610 @code{target} command again.
20611
20612 @node Sparclet Connection
20613 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20614
20615 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20616 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20617
20618 @smallexample
20619 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20620 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20621 main () at ../prog.c:3
20622 @end smallexample
20623
20624 @need 750
20625 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20626
20627 @smallexample
20628 Connected to ttya.
20629 @end smallexample
20630
20631 @node Sparclet Download
20632 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20633
20634 @cindex download to Sparclet
20635 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20636 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20637 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20638 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20639 command.
20640 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20641 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20642 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20643 of each of the file's sections.
20644 For instance, if the program
20645 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20646 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20647
20648 @smallexample
20649 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20650 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20651 @end smallexample
20652
20653 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20654 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20655 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20656
20657 @node Sparclet Execution
20658 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20659
20660 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20661 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20662 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20663 manual for the list of commands.
20664
20665 @smallexample
20666 (gdbslet) b main
20667 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20668 (gdbslet) run
20669 Starting program: prog
20670 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20671 3 char *symarg = 0;
20672 (gdbslet) step
20673 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20674 (gdbslet)
20675 @end smallexample
20676
20677 @node Sparclite
20678 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20679
20680 @table @code
20681
20682 @kindex target sparclite
20683 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20684 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20685 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20686 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20687 remote protocol.
20688
20689 @end table
20690
20691 @node Z8000
20692 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20693
20694 @cindex Z8000
20695 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20696 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20697
20698 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20699 a Z8000 simulator.
20700
20701 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20702 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20703 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20704 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20705
20706 @table @code
20707 @item target sim @var{args}
20708 @kindex sim
20709 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20710 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20711 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20712 @end table
20713
20714 @noindent
20715 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20716 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20717 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20718 to run your program, and so on.
20719
20720 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20721 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20722 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20723
20724 @table @code
20725
20726 @item cycles
20727 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20728
20729 @item insts
20730 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20731
20732 @item time
20733 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20734
20735 @end table
20736
20737 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20738 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20739 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20740 simulated clock ticks.
20741
20742 @node AVR
20743 @subsection Atmel AVR
20744 @cindex AVR
20745
20746 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20747 following AVR-specific commands:
20748
20749 @table @code
20750 @item info io_registers
20751 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20752 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20753 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20754 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20755 @end table
20756
20757 @node CRIS
20758 @subsection CRIS
20759 @cindex CRIS
20760
20761 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20762 following CRIS-specific commands:
20763
20764 @table @code
20765 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20766 @cindex CRIS version
20767 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20768 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20769 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20770
20771 @item show cris-version
20772 Show the current CRIS version.
20773
20774 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20775 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20776 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20777 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20778 @code{R59}.
20779
20780 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20781 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20782
20783 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20784 @cindex CRIS mode
20785 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20786 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20787 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20788
20789 @item show cris-mode
20790 Show the current CRIS mode.
20791 @end table
20792
20793 @node Super-H
20794 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20795 @cindex Super-H
20796
20797 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20798 commands:
20799
20800 @table @code
20801 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20802 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20803 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20804 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20805 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20806 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20807 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20808 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20809 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20810 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20811 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20812 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20813
20814 @item show sh calling-convention
20815 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20816 Show the current calling convention setting.
20817
20818 @end table
20819
20820
20821 @node Architectures
20822 @section Architectures
20823
20824 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20825 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20826
20827 @menu
20828 * AArch64::
20829 * i386::
20830 * Alpha::
20831 * MIPS::
20832 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20833 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20834 * PowerPC::
20835 * Nios II::
20836 @end menu
20837
20838 @node AArch64
20839 @subsection AArch64
20840 @cindex AArch64 support
20841
20842 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
20843 following special commands:
20844
20845 @table @code
20846 @item set debug aarch64
20847 @kindex set debug aarch64
20848 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
20849 messages are to be displayed.
20850
20851 @item show debug aarch64
20852 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
20853
20854 @end table
20855
20856 @node i386
20857 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20858
20859 @table @code
20860 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20861 @kindex set struct-convention
20862 @cindex struct return convention
20863 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20864 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20865 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20866 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20867 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20868 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20869 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20870 be returned in a register.
20871
20872 @item show struct-convention
20873 @kindex show struct-convention
20874 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20875 from functions.
20876 @end table
20877
20878 @node Alpha
20879 @subsection Alpha
20880
20881 See the following section.
20882
20883 @node MIPS
20884 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20885
20886 @cindex stack on Alpha
20887 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20888 @cindex Alpha stack
20889 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20890 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20891 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20892 find the beginning of a function.
20893
20894 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20895 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20896 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20897 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20898 commands:
20899
20900 @table @code
20901 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20902 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20903 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20904 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20905 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20906 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20907 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20908 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20909
20910 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20911 Display the current limit.
20912 @end table
20913
20914 @noindent
20915 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20916 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20917
20918 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20919 programs:
20920
20921 @table @code
20922 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20923 @kindex set mips abi
20924 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20925 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20926 values of @var{arg} are:
20927
20928 @table @samp
20929 @item auto
20930 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20931 default).
20932 @item o32
20933 @item o64
20934 @item n32
20935 @item n64
20936 @item eabi32
20937 @item eabi64
20938 @end table
20939
20940 @item show mips abi
20941 @kindex show mips abi
20942 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20943
20944 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20945 @kindex set mips compression
20946 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20947 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20948 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20949 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20950 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20951 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20952 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20953 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20954 provided by the executable.
20955
20956 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20957 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20958 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20959 identified as such.
20960
20961 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20962 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20963 implicitly from an executable.
20964
20965 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20966 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20967 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20968 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20969 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20970
20971 @item show mips compression
20972 @kindex show mips compression
20973 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20974 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20975
20976 @item set mipsfpu
20977 @itemx show mipsfpu
20978 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20979
20980 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20981 @kindex set mips mask-address
20982 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20983 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20984 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20985 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20986 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20987
20988 @item show mips mask-address
20989 @kindex show mips mask-address
20990 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20991 not.
20992
20993 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20994 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20995 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20996 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20997 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20998 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20999
21000 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21001 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21002 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21003
21004 @item set debug mips
21005 @kindex set debug mips
21006 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21007 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21008
21009 @item show debug mips
21010 @kindex show debug mips
21011 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21012 @end table
21013
21014
21015 @node HPPA
21016 @subsection HPPA
21017 @cindex HPPA support
21018
21019 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21020 following special commands:
21021
21022 @table @code
21023 @item set debug hppa
21024 @kindex set debug hppa
21025 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21026 messages are to be displayed.
21027
21028 @item show debug hppa
21029 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21030
21031 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21032 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21033 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21034 given @var{address}.
21035
21036 @end table
21037
21038
21039 @node SPU
21040 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21041 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21042 @cindex SPU
21043
21044 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21045 it provides the following special commands:
21046
21047 @table @code
21048 @item info spu event
21049 @kindex info spu
21050 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21051 and pending event status.
21052
21053 @item info spu signal
21054 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21055 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21056 notification channels.
21057
21058 @item info spu mailbox
21059 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21060 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21061 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21062
21063 @item info spu dma
21064 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21065 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21066 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21067
21068 @item info spu proxydma
21069 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21070 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21071 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21072
21073 @end table
21074
21075 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21076 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21077 special commands:
21078
21079 @table @code
21080 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21081 @kindex set spu
21082 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21083 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21084 function. The default is @code{off}.
21085
21086 @item show spu stop-on-load
21087 @kindex show spu
21088 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21089
21090 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21091 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21092 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21093 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21094 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21095 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21096
21097 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21098 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21099
21100 @end table
21101
21102 @node PowerPC
21103 @subsection PowerPC
21104 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21105
21106 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21107 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21108 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21109 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21110 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21111
21112 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21113 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21114 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21115
21116 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21117 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21118
21119 @node Nios II
21120 @subsection Nios II
21121 @cindex Nios II architecture
21122
21123 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21124 it provides the following special commands:
21125
21126 @table @code
21127
21128 @item set debug nios2
21129 @kindex set debug nios2
21130 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21131 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21132
21133 @item show debug nios2
21134 @kindex show debug nios2
21135 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21136 @end table
21137
21138 @node Controlling GDB
21139 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21140
21141 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21142 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21143 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21144 described here.
21145
21146 @menu
21147 * Prompt:: Prompt
21148 * Editing:: Command editing
21149 * Command History:: Command history
21150 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21151 * Numbers:: Numbers
21152 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21153 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21154 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21155 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21156 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21157 @end menu
21158
21159 @node Prompt
21160 @section Prompt
21161
21162 @cindex prompt
21163
21164 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21165 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21166 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21167 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21168 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21169 which one you are talking to.
21170
21171 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21172 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21173 or a prompt that does not.
21174
21175 @table @code
21176 @kindex set prompt
21177 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21178 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21179
21180 @kindex show prompt
21181 @item show prompt
21182 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21183 @end table
21184
21185 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21186 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21187 are:
21188
21189 @table @code
21190 @kindex set extended-prompt
21191 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21192 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21193 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21194 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21195 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21196 is displayed.
21197
21198 For example:
21199
21200 @smallexample
21201 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21202 @end smallexample
21203
21204 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21205 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21206
21207 @kindex show extended-prompt
21208 @item show extended-prompt
21209 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21210 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21211 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21212 @end table
21213
21214 @node Editing
21215 @section Command Editing
21216 @cindex readline
21217 @cindex command line editing
21218
21219 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21220 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21221 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21222 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21223 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21224 debugging sessions.
21225
21226 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21227 command @code{set}.
21228
21229 @table @code
21230 @kindex set editing
21231 @cindex editing
21232 @item set editing
21233 @itemx set editing on
21234 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21235
21236 @item set editing off
21237 Disable command line editing.
21238
21239 @kindex show editing
21240 @item show editing
21241 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21242 @end table
21243
21244 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21245 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21246 @end ifset
21247 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21248 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21249 @end ifclear
21250 for more details about the Readline
21251 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21252 encouraged to read that chapter.
21253
21254 @node Command History
21255 @section Command History
21256 @cindex command history
21257
21258 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21259 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21260 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21261 history facility.
21262
21263 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21264 package, to provide the history facility.
21265 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21266 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21267 @end ifset
21268 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21269 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21270 @end ifclear
21271 for the detailed description of the History library.
21272
21273 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21274 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21275 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21276 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21277 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21278 pressed on a line by itself.
21279
21280 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21281 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21282 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21283 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21284
21285 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21286 history.
21287
21288 @table @code
21289 @cindex history substitution
21290 @cindex history file
21291 @kindex set history filename
21292 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21293 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21294 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21295 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21296 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21297 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21298 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21299 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21300 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21301 is not set.
21302
21303 @cindex save command history
21304 @kindex set history save
21305 @item set history save
21306 @itemx set history save on
21307 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21308 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21309
21310 @item set history save off
21311 Stop recording command history in a file.
21312
21313 @cindex history size
21314 @kindex set history size
21315 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21316 @item set history size @var{size}
21317 @itemx set history size unlimited
21318 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21319 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21320 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21321 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21322 history list is unlimited.
21323 @end table
21324
21325 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21326 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21327 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21328 @end ifset
21329 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21330 @xref{Event Designators},
21331 @end ifclear
21332 for more details.
21333
21334 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21335 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21336 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21337 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21338 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21339 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21340 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21341 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21342
21343 The commands to control history expansion are:
21344
21345 @table @code
21346 @item set history expansion on
21347 @itemx set history expansion
21348 @kindex set history expansion
21349 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21350
21351 @item set history expansion off
21352 Disable history expansion.
21353
21354 @c @group
21355 @kindex show history
21356 @item show history
21357 @itemx show history filename
21358 @itemx show history save
21359 @itemx show history size
21360 @itemx show history expansion
21361 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21362 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21363 @c @end group
21364 @end table
21365
21366 @table @code
21367 @kindex show commands
21368 @cindex show last commands
21369 @cindex display command history
21370 @item show commands
21371 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21372
21373 @item show commands @var{n}
21374 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21375
21376 @item show commands +
21377 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21378 @end table
21379
21380 @node Screen Size
21381 @section Screen Size
21382 @cindex size of screen
21383 @cindex pauses in output
21384
21385 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21386 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21387 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21388 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21389 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21390 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21391 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21392 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21393
21394 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21395 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21396 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21397 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21398 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21399 width} commands:
21400
21401 @table @code
21402 @kindex set height
21403 @kindex set width
21404 @kindex show width
21405 @kindex show height
21406 @item set height @var{lpp}
21407 @itemx set height unlimited
21408 @itemx show height
21409 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21410 @itemx set width unlimited
21411 @itemx show width
21412 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21413 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21414 commands display the current settings.
21415
21416 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21417 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21418 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21419 buffer.
21420
21421 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21422 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21423
21424 @item set pagination on
21425 @itemx set pagination off
21426 @kindex set pagination
21427 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21428 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21429 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21430 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21431
21432 @item show pagination
21433 @kindex show pagination
21434 Show the current pagination mode.
21435 @end table
21436
21437 @node Numbers
21438 @section Numbers
21439 @cindex number representation
21440 @cindex entering numbers
21441
21442 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21443 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21444 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21445 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21446 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21447 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21448 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21449 both input and output with the commands described below.
21450
21451 @table @code
21452 @kindex set input-radix
21453 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21454 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21455 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21456 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21457 example, any of
21458
21459 @smallexample
21460 set input-radix 012
21461 set input-radix 10.
21462 set input-radix 0xa
21463 @end smallexample
21464
21465 @noindent
21466 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21467 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21468 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21469 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21470 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21471 change the radix.
21472
21473 @kindex set output-radix
21474 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21475 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21476 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21477 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21478
21479 @kindex show input-radix
21480 @item show input-radix
21481 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21482
21483 @kindex show output-radix
21484 @item show output-radix
21485 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21486
21487 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21488 @itemx show radix
21489 @kindex set radix
21490 @kindex show radix
21491 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21492 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21493 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21494 default value of 10.
21495
21496 @end table
21497
21498 @node ABI
21499 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21500
21501 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21502 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21503 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21504 current ABI.
21505
21506 @cindex OS ABI
21507 @kindex set osabi
21508 @kindex show osabi
21509 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21510
21511 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21512 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21513 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21514 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21515 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21516 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21517 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21518 platform provides.
21519
21520 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21521 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21522 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21523 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21524
21525 @table @code
21526 @item show osabi
21527 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21528
21529 @item set osabi
21530 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21531
21532 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21533 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21534 @end table
21535
21536 @cindex float promotion
21537
21538 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21539 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21540 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21541 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21542 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21543 @code{double} and then passed.
21544
21545 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21546 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21547 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21548
21549 @table @code
21550 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21551 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21552 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21553 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21554 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21555
21556 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21557 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21558 functions.
21559
21560 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21561 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21562 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21563 @end table
21564
21565 @kindex set cp-abi
21566 @kindex show cp-abi
21567 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21568 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21569 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21570 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21571 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21572 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21573 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21574 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21575 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21576 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21577 ``auto''.
21578
21579 @table @code
21580 @item show cp-abi
21581 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21582
21583 @item set cp-abi
21584 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21585
21586 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21587 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21588 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21589 @end table
21590
21591 @node Auto-loading
21592 @section Automatically loading associated files
21593 @cindex auto-loading
21594
21595 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21596 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21597 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21598 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21599 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21600 sources).
21601
21602 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21603 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21604 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21605
21606 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21607 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21608
21609 @table @code
21610 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21611 @kindex set auto-load off
21612 @item set auto-load off
21613 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21614 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21615 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21616 @smallexample
21617 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21618 @end smallexample
21619
21620 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21621 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21622 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21623 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21624 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21625 @code{set auto-load no}.
21626
21627 @anchor{show auto-load}
21628 @kindex show auto-load
21629 @item show auto-load
21630 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21631 or disabled.
21632
21633 @smallexample
21634 (gdb) show auto-load
21635 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21636 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21637 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21638 is on.
21639 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21640 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21641 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21642 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21643 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21644 @end smallexample
21645
21646 @anchor{info auto-load}
21647 @kindex info auto-load
21648 @item info auto-load
21649 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21650 not.
21651
21652 @smallexample
21653 (gdb) info auto-load
21654 gdb-scripts:
21655 Loaded Script
21656 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21657 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21658 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21659 loaded.
21660 python-scripts:
21661 Loaded Script
21662 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21663 @end smallexample
21664 @end table
21665
21666 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21667
21668 @itemize @bullet
21669 @item
21670 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21671 @item
21672 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21673 @item
21674 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21675 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21676 @item
21677 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21678 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21679 @item
21680 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21681 @end itemize
21682
21683 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21684
21685 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21686 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21687 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21688 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21689 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21690 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21691 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21692 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21693 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21694 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21695 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21696 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21697 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21698 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21699 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21700 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21701 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21702 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21703 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21704 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21705 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21706 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21707 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21708 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21709 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21710 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21711 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21712 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21713 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21714 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21715 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21716 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21717 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21718 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21719 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21720 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21721 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21722 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21723 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21724 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21725 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21726 @end multitable
21727
21728 @menu
21729 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21730 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21731 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21732 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21733 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21734 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21735 @end menu
21736
21737 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21738 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21739 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21740
21741 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21742 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21743 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21744
21745 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21746 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21747
21748 @table @code
21749 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21750 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21751 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21752 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21753 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21754
21755 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21756 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21757 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21758 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21759 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21760
21761 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21762 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21763 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21764 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21765 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21766 @end table
21767
21768 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21769 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21770 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21771
21772 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21773
21774 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21775 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21776
21777 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21778 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21779 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21780 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21781 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21782 library.
21783
21784 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21785 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21786
21787 @table @code
21788 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21789 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21790 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21791 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21792
21793 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21794 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21795 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21796 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21797 enabled or disabled.
21798
21799 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21800 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21801 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21802 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21803 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21804 @end table
21805
21806 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21807 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21808 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21809
21810 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21811 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21812 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21813
21814 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21815 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21816
21817 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21818 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21819
21820 @table @code
21821 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21822 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21823 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21824 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21825
21826 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21827 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21828 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21829 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21830 disabled.
21831
21832 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21833 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21834 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21835 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21836 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21837 auto-loaded.
21838 @end table
21839
21840 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21841 matching names are printed.
21842
21843 @node Auto-loading safe path
21844 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21845 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21846
21847 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21848 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21849 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21850 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21851 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21852
21853 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21854 get loaded:
21855
21856 @smallexample
21857 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21858 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21859 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21860 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21861 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21862 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21863 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21864 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21865 @end smallexample
21866
21867 @noindent
21868 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
21869 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
21870
21871 @smallexample
21872 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
21873 @end smallexample
21874
21875 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21876
21877 @table @code
21878 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21879 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21880 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21881 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21882 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21883 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21884 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21885 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21886 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21887 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21888
21889 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21890 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21891 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21892
21893 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21894 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21895 @item show auto-load safe-path
21896 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21897 scripts.
21898
21899 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21900 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21901 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21902 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21903 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21904 host platform path separator in use.
21905 @end table
21906
21907 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21908 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21909 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21910 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21911 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21912
21913 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21914 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21915 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21916 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21917 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21918 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21919 init file in the current directory
21920 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21921
21922 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21923 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21924
21925 @table @asis
21926 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21927 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21928 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21929 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21930
21931 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21932 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21933 @value{GDBN} session.
21934
21935 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21936 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21937 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21938 from trusted sources.
21939
21940 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21941 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21942 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21943 trusted sources.
21944 @end table
21945
21946 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21947 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21948
21949 @table @asis
21950 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21951 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21952
21953 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21954 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21955 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21956 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21957 @end table
21958
21959 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21960 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21961 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21962 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21963 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21964 recommended to be entered.
21965
21966 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21967 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21968 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21969
21970 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21971 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21972 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21973 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21974 be printed.
21975
21976 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21977 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21978 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21979
21980 @smallexample
21981 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21982 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21983 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21984 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21985 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21986 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21987 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21988 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21989 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21990 @end smallexample
21991
21992 @table @code
21993 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21994 @kindex set debug auto-load
21995 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21996 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21997
21998 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21999 @kindex show debug auto-load
22000 @item show debug auto-load
22001 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22002 on or off.
22003 @end table
22004
22005 @node Messages/Warnings
22006 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22007
22008 @cindex verbose operation
22009 @cindex optional warnings
22010 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22011 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22012 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22013 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22014
22015 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22016 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22017 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22018
22019 @table @code
22020 @kindex set verbose
22021 @item set verbose on
22022 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22023
22024 @item set verbose off
22025 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22026
22027 @kindex show verbose
22028 @item show verbose
22029 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22030 @end table
22031
22032 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22033 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22034 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22035 Symbol Files}).
22036
22037 @table @code
22038
22039 @kindex set complaints
22040 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22041 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22042 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22043 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22044 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22045
22046 @kindex show complaints
22047 @item show complaints
22048 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22049
22050 @end table
22051
22052 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22053 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22054 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22055 you try to run a program which is already running:
22056
22057 @smallexample
22058 (@value{GDBP}) run
22059 The program being debugged has been started already.
22060 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22061 @end smallexample
22062
22063 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22064 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22065
22066 @table @code
22067
22068 @kindex set confirm
22069 @cindex flinching
22070 @cindex confirmation
22071 @cindex stupid questions
22072 @item set confirm off
22073 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22074 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22075 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22076
22077 @item set confirm on
22078 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22079
22080 @kindex show confirm
22081 @item show confirm
22082 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22083
22084 @end table
22085
22086 @cindex command tracing
22087 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22088 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22089 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22090 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22091
22092 @table @code
22093 @kindex set trace-commands
22094 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22095 @item set trace-commands on
22096 Enable command tracing.
22097 @item set trace-commands off
22098 Disable command tracing.
22099 @item show trace-commands
22100 Display the current state of command tracing.
22101 @end table
22102
22103 @node Debugging Output
22104 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22105 @cindex optional debugging messages
22106
22107 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22108 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22109 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22110 section documents those commands.
22111
22112 @table @code
22113 @kindex set exec-done-display
22114 @item set exec-done-display
22115 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22116 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22117 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22118 @kindex show exec-done-display
22119 @item show exec-done-display
22120 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22121 notification.
22122 @kindex set debug
22123 @cindex ARM AArch64
22124 @item set debug aarch64
22125 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22126 The default is off.
22127 @kindex show debug
22128 @item show debug aarch64
22129 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22130 ARM AArch64.
22131 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22132 @cindex architecture debugging info
22133 @item set debug arch
22134 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22135 @item show debug arch
22136 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22137 @item set debug aix-solib
22138 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
22139 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22140 support module. The default is off.
22141 @item show debug aix-thread
22142 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22143 @item set debug aix-thread
22144 @cindex AIX threads
22145 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22146 module.
22147 @item show debug aix-thread
22148 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22149 @item set debug check-physname
22150 @cindex physname
22151 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22152 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22153 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22154 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22155 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22156 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22157 @item show debug check-physname
22158 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22159 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22160 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22161 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22162 exported symbols. The default is off.
22163 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22164 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22165 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22166 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22167 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22168 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22169 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22170 A value of zero turns off the display.
22171 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22172 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22173 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22174 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22175 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22176 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22177 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22178 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22179 @item set debug displaced
22180 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22181 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22182 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22183 @item show debug displaced
22184 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22185 related to displaced stepping.
22186 @item set debug event
22187 @cindex event debugging info
22188 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22189 default is off.
22190 @item show debug event
22191 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22192 info.
22193 @item set debug expression
22194 @cindex expression debugging info
22195 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22196 expression parsing. The default is off.
22197 @item show debug expression
22198 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22199 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22200 @item set debug frame
22201 @cindex frame debugging info
22202 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22203 default is off.
22204 @item show debug frame
22205 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22206 info.
22207 @item set debug gnu-nat
22208 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22209 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22210 @item show debug gnu-nat
22211 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22212 @item set debug infrun
22213 @cindex inferior debugging info
22214 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22215 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22216 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22217 @item show debug infrun
22218 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22219 @item set debug jit
22220 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22221 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22222 @item show debug jit
22223 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22224 @item set debug lin-lwp
22225 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22226 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22227 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22228 @item show debug lin-lwp
22229 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22230 @item set debug mach-o
22231 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22232 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22233 processing. The default is off.
22234 @item show debug mach-o
22235 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22236 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22237 @item set debug notification
22238 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22239 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22240 The default is off.
22241 @item show debug notification
22242 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22243 @item set debug observer
22244 @cindex observer debugging info
22245 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22246 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22247 @item show debug observer
22248 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22249 @item set debug overload
22250 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22251 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22252 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22253 is off.
22254 @item show debug overload
22255 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22256 debugging info.
22257 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22258 @cindex debug expression parser
22259 @item set debug parser
22260 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22261 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22262 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22263 details. The default is off.
22264 @item show debug parser
22265 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22266 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22267 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22268 @cindex debug remote protocol
22269 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22270 @cindex display remote packets
22271 @item set debug remote
22272 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22273 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22274 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22275 @item show debug remote
22276 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22277 @item set debug serial
22278 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22279 default is off.
22280 @item show debug serial
22281 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22282 info.
22283 @item set debug solib-frv
22284 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22285 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22286 @item show debug solib-frv
22287 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22288 messages.
22289 @item set debug symtab-create
22290 @cindex symbol table creation
22291 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22292 The default is off.
22293 @item show debug symtab-create
22294 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22295 @item set debug target
22296 @cindex target debugging info
22297 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22298 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22299 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22300 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22301 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22302 @item show debug target
22303 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22304 info.
22305 @item set debug timestamp
22306 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22307 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22308 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22309 message.
22310 @item show debug timestamp
22311 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22312 debugging info.
22313 @item set debugvarobj
22314 @cindex variable object debugging info
22315 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22316 info. The default is off.
22317 @item show debugvarobj
22318 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22319 debugging info.
22320 @item set debug xml
22321 @cindex XML parser debugging
22322 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22323 @item show debug xml
22324 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22325 @end table
22326
22327 @node Other Misc Settings
22328 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22329 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22330
22331 @table @code
22332 @kindex set interactive-mode
22333 @item set interactive-mode
22334 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22335 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22336 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22337 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22338 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22339 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22340 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22341 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22342
22343 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22344 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22345 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22346 inside a cygwin window.
22347
22348 @kindex show interactive-mode
22349 @item show interactive-mode
22350 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22351 @end table
22352
22353 @node Extending GDB
22354 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22355 @cindex extending GDB
22356
22357 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22358 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22359 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22360 existing commands.
22361
22362 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22363 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22364 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22365 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22366 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22367 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22368
22369 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22370 setting:
22371
22372 @table @code
22373 @kindex set script-extension
22374 @kindex show script-extension
22375 @item set script-extension off
22376 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22377
22378 @item set script-extension soft
22379 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22380 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22381 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22382 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22383
22384 @item set script-extension strict
22385 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22386 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22387 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22388
22389 @item show script-extension
22390 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22391
22392 @end table
22393
22394 @menu
22395 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22396 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22397 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22398 @end menu
22399
22400 @node Sequences
22401 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22402
22403 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22404 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22405 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22406 files.
22407
22408 @menu
22409 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22410 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22411 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22412 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22413 @end menu
22414
22415 @node Define
22416 @subsection User-defined Commands
22417
22418 @cindex user-defined command
22419 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22420 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22421 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22422 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22423 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22424 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22425
22426 @smallexample
22427 define adder
22428 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22429 end
22430 @end smallexample
22431
22432 @noindent
22433 To execute the command use:
22434
22435 @smallexample
22436 adder 1 2 3
22437 @end smallexample
22438
22439 @noindent
22440 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22441 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22442 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22443 functions calls.
22444
22445 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22446 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22447 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22448 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22449
22450 @smallexample
22451 define adder
22452 if $argc == 2
22453 print $arg0 + $arg1
22454 end
22455 if $argc == 3
22456 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22457 end
22458 end
22459 @end smallexample
22460
22461 @table @code
22462
22463 @kindex define
22464 @item define @var{commandname}
22465 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22466 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22467 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22468 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22469 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22470 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22471
22472 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22473 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22474 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22475
22476 @kindex document
22477 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22478 @item document @var{commandname}
22479 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22480 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22481 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22482 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22483 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22484 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22485
22486 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22487 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22488 does not change the documentation.
22489
22490 @kindex dont-repeat
22491 @cindex don't repeat command
22492 @item dont-repeat
22493 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22494 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22495 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22496
22497 @kindex help user-defined
22498 @item help user-defined
22499 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22500 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22501 included (if any).
22502
22503 @kindex show user
22504 @item show user
22505 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22506 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22507 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22508 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22509 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22510
22511 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22512 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22513 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22514 @item show max-user-call-depth
22515 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22516 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22517 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22518 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22519 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22520 @end table
22521
22522 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22523 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22524
22525 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22526 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22527 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22528
22529 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22530 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22531 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22532 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22533
22534 @node Hooks
22535 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22536 @cindex command hooks
22537 @cindex hooks, for commands
22538 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22539
22540 @kindex hook
22541 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22542 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22543 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22544 before that command.
22545
22546 @cindex hooks, post-command
22547 @kindex hookpost
22548 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22549 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22550 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22551 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22552 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22553
22554 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22555 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22556
22557 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22558 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22559
22560 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22561 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22562 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22563 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22564 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22565
22566 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22567 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22568 you could define:
22569
22570 @smallexample
22571 define hook-stop
22572 handle SIGALRM nopass
22573 end
22574
22575 define hook-run
22576 handle SIGALRM pass
22577 end
22578
22579 define hook-continue
22580 handle SIGALRM pass
22581 end
22582 @end smallexample
22583
22584 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22585 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22586 you could define:
22587
22588 @smallexample
22589 define hook-echo
22590 echo <<<---
22591 end
22592
22593 define hookpost-echo
22594 echo --->>>\n
22595 end
22596
22597 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22598 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22599 (@value{GDBP})
22600
22601 @end smallexample
22602
22603 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22604 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22605 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22606 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22607 @c or not?
22608 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22609 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22610 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22611
22612 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22613 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22614 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22615
22616 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22617 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22618
22619 @node Command Files
22620 @subsection Command Files
22621
22622 @cindex command files
22623 @cindex scripting commands
22624 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22625 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22626 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22627 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22628 terminal.
22629
22630 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22631 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22632 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22633 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22634 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22635
22636 @table @code
22637 @kindex source
22638 @cindex execute commands from a file
22639 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22640 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22641 @end table
22642
22643 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22644 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22645 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22646 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22647 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22648
22649 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22650 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22651 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22652 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22653 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22654 is not relevant to scripts.
22655
22656 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22657 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22658 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22659 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22660 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22661 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22662 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22663 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22664 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22665 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22666 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22667 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22668 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22669 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22670
22671 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22672 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22673 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22674
22675 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22676 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22677 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22678 when called from command files.
22679
22680 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22681 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22682 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22683 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22684 the next command.
22685
22686 @smallexample
22687 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22688 @end smallexample
22689
22690 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22691 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22692 would be directed to @file{log}.
22693
22694 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22695 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22696 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22697 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22698 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22699 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22700 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22701 conditionally, etc.
22702
22703 @table @code
22704 @kindex if
22705 @kindex else
22706 @item if
22707 @itemx else
22708 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22709 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22710 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22711 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22712 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22713 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22714 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22715
22716 @kindex while
22717 @item while
22718 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22719 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22720 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22721 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22722 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22723 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22724
22725 @kindex loop_break
22726 @item loop_break
22727 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22728 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22729 line.
22730
22731 @kindex loop_continue
22732 @item loop_continue
22733 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22734 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22735 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22736 the controlling expression.
22737
22738 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22739 @item end
22740 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22741 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22742 @end table
22743
22744
22745 @node Output
22746 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22747
22748 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22749 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22750 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22751 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22752 want.
22753
22754 @table @code
22755 @kindex echo
22756 @item echo @var{text}
22757 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22758 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22759 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22760 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22761 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22762 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22763 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22764 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22765 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22766 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22767 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22768
22769 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22770 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22771
22772 @smallexample
22773 echo This is some text\n\
22774 which is continued\n\
22775 onto several lines.\n
22776 @end smallexample
22777
22778 produces the same output as
22779
22780 @smallexample
22781 echo This is some text\n
22782 echo which is continued\n
22783 echo onto several lines.\n
22784 @end smallexample
22785
22786 @kindex output
22787 @item output @var{expression}
22788 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22789 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22790 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22791 on expressions.
22792
22793 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22794 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22795 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22796 Formats}, for more information.
22797
22798 @kindex printf
22799 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22800 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22801 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22802 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22803 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22804 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22805 executing the code below:
22806
22807 @smallexample
22808 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22809 @end smallexample
22810
22811 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22812 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22813 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22814 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22815 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22816 printed.
22817
22818 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22819
22820 @smallexample
22821 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22822 @end smallexample
22823
22824 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22825 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22826 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22827
22828 @itemize @bullet
22829 @item
22830 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22831
22832 @item
22833 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22834 width.
22835
22836 @item
22837 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22838 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22839
22840 @item
22841 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22842 supported.
22843
22844 @item
22845 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22846
22847 @item
22848 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22849 @end itemize
22850
22851 @noindent
22852 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22853 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22854 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22855 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22856
22857 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22858 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22859 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22860 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22861 supported.
22862
22863 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22864 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22865 together with a floating point specifier.
22866 letters:
22867
22868 @itemize @bullet
22869 @item
22870 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22871
22872 @item
22873 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22874
22875 @item
22876 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22877 @end itemize
22878
22879 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22880 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22881 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22882
22883 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22884 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22885
22886 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22887 @smallexample
22888 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22889 @end smallexample
22890
22891 @kindex eval
22892 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22893 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22894 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22895
22896 @end table
22897
22898 @node Python
22899 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22900 @cindex python scripting
22901 @cindex scripting with python
22902
22903 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22904 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22905 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22906
22907 @cindex python directory
22908 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22909 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22910 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22911 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22912 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22913 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22914
22915 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22916 are written in Python and are located in the
22917 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22918 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22919 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22920
22921 @menu
22922 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22923 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22924 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22925 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22926 @end menu
22927
22928 @node Python Commands
22929 @subsection Python Commands
22930 @cindex python commands
22931 @cindex commands to access python
22932
22933 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22934 and one related setting:
22935
22936 @table @code
22937 @kindex python-interactive
22938 @kindex pi
22939 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22940 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22941 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22942 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22943 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22944
22945 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22946 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22947 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22948
22949 @smallexample
22950 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
22951 5
22952 @end smallexample
22953
22954 @kindex python
22955 @kindex py
22956 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22957 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22958 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22959
22960 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22961 argument as a Python command. For example:
22962
22963 @smallexample
22964 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22965 23
22966 @end smallexample
22967
22968 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22969 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22970 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22971 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22972 containing @code{end}. For example:
22973
22974 @smallexample
22975 (@value{GDBP}) python
22976 Type python script
22977 End with a line saying just "end".
22978 >print 23
22979 >end
22980 23
22981 @end smallexample
22982
22983 @kindex set python print-stack
22984 @item set python print-stack
22985 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22986 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22987 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22988 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22989 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22990 the message component of the error is printed.
22991 @end table
22992
22993 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22994 interpreter:
22995
22996 @table @code
22997 @item source @file{script-name}
22998 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22999 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
23000 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
23001
23002 @item python execfile ("script-name")
23003 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
23004 and thus is always available.
23005 @end table
23006
23007 @node Python API
23008 @subsection Python API
23009 @cindex python api
23010 @cindex programming in python
23011
23012 You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
23013 the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
23014
23015 Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
23016 them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
23017 optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
23018 @w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
23019
23020 @menu
23021 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
23022 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
23023 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
23024 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23025 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23026 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23027 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23028 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23029 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23030 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23031 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23032 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23033 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23034 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23035 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23036 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23037 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23038 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23039 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23040 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23041 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23042 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23043 using Python.
23044 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23045 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23046 @end menu
23047
23048 @node Basic Python
23049 @subsubsection Basic Python
23050
23051 @cindex python stdout
23052 @cindex python pagination
23053 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23054 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23055 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23056 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23057 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23058
23059 Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23060 @value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23061
23062 @itemize @bullet
23063 @item
23064 @value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23065 Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23066 @code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23067 signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23068 that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23069 @code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23070
23071 @item
23072 @value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23073 close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23074 all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23075 should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23076 set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23077 child process.
23078 @end itemize
23079
23080 @cindex python functions
23081 @cindex python module
23082 @cindex gdb module
23083 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23084 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23085 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23086 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23087
23088 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23089 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23090 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23091 @end defvar
23092
23093 @findex gdb.execute
23094 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23095 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23096 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23097 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23098
23099 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23100 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23101 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23102
23103 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23104 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23105 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23106 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23107 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23108 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23109 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23110 @end defun
23111
23112 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23113 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23114 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23115 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23116 @end defun
23117
23118 @findex gdb.parameter
23119 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23120 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23121 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23122 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23123 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23124
23125 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23126 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23127 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23128 type, and returned.
23129 @end defun
23130
23131 @findex gdb.history
23132 @defun gdb.history (number)
23133 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23134 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23135 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23136 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23137 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23138 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23139 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23140 raised.
23141
23142 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23143 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23144 @end defun
23145
23146 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23147 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23148 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23149 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23150 @var{expression} must be a string.
23151
23152 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23153 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23154 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23155 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23156 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23157 @end defun
23158
23159 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23160 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23161 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23162 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23163 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23164 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23165 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23166 @end defun
23167
23168 @findex gdb.post_event
23169 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23170 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23171 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23172 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23173 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23174 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23175 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23176
23177 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23178 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23179 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23180 this. For example:
23181
23182 @smallexample
23183 (@value{GDBP}) python
23184 >import threading
23185 >
23186 >class Writer():
23187 > def __init__(self, message):
23188 > self.message = message;
23189 > def __call__(self):
23190 > gdb.write(self.message)
23191 >
23192 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23193 > def run (self):
23194 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23195 >
23196 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23197 > def run (self):
23198 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23199 >
23200 >MyThread1().start()
23201 >MyThread2().start()
23202 >end
23203 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23204 @end smallexample
23205 @end defun
23206
23207 @findex gdb.write
23208 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23209 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23210 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23211 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23212 values are:
23213
23214 @table @code
23215 @findex STDOUT
23216 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23217 @item gdb.STDOUT
23218 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23219
23220 @findex STDERR
23221 @findex gdb.STDERR
23222 @item gdb.STDERR
23223 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23224
23225 @findex STDLOG
23226 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23227 @item gdb.STDLOG
23228 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23229 @end table
23230
23231 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23232 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23233 relevant stream.
23234 @end defun
23235
23236 @findex gdb.flush
23237 @defun gdb.flush ()
23238 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23239 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23240 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23241 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23242 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23243 stream values are:
23244
23245 @table @code
23246 @findex STDOUT
23247 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23248 @item gdb.STDOUT
23249 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23250
23251 @findex STDERR
23252 @findex gdb.STDERR
23253 @item gdb.STDERR
23254 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23255
23256 @findex STDLOG
23257 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23258 @item gdb.STDLOG
23259 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23260
23261 @end table
23262
23263 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23264 call this function for the relevant stream.
23265 @end defun
23266
23267 @findex gdb.target_charset
23268 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23269 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23270 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23271 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23272 @end defun
23273
23274 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23275 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23276 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23277 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23278 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23279 never returned.
23280 @end defun
23281
23282 @findex gdb.solib_name
23283 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23284 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23285 as a string, or @code{None}.
23286 @end defun
23287
23288 @findex gdb.decode_line
23289 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23290 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23291 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23292 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23293 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23294 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23295 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23296 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23297 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23298 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23299 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23300 @end defun
23301
23302 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23303 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23304
23305 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23306 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23307 @value{GDBN}.
23308
23309 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23310 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23311 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23312 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23313 the current prompt.
23314
23315 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23316 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23317 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23318 @end defun
23319
23320 @node Exception Handling
23321 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23322 @cindex python exceptions
23323 @cindex exceptions, python
23324
23325 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23326 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23327 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23328 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23329 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23330 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23331 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23332
23333 @smallexample
23334 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23335 Traceback (most recent call last):
23336 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23337 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23338 @end smallexample
23339
23340 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23341 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23342 Python exception depends on the error.
23343
23344 @ftable @code
23345 @item gdb.error
23346 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23347 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23348 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23349
23350 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23351 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23352
23353 @item gdb.MemoryError
23354 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23355 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23356
23357 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23358 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23359 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23360 @end ftable
23361
23362 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23363 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23364 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23365 traceback.
23366
23367 @findex gdb.GdbError
23368 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23369 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23370 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23371 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23372 to handle this case. Example:
23373
23374 @smallexample
23375 (gdb) python
23376 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23377 > """Greet the whole world."""
23378 > def __init__ (self):
23379 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23380 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23381 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23382 > if len (argv) != 0:
23383 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23384 > print "Hello, World!"
23385 >HelloWorld ()
23386 >end
23387 (gdb) hello-world 42
23388 hello-world takes no arguments
23389 @end smallexample
23390
23391 @node Values From Inferior
23392 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23393 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23394 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23395
23396 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23397 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23398 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23399 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23400 fetching values when necessary.
23401
23402 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23403 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23404 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23405
23406 @smallexample
23407 bar = some_val + 2
23408 @end smallexample
23409
23410 @noindent
23411 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23412 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23413
23414 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23415 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23416 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23417 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23418
23419 @smallexample
23420 bar = some_val['foo']
23421 @end smallexample
23422
23423 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23424
23425 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23426 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23427 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23428 by that prototype.
23429
23430 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23431 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23432 execute this function, call it like so:
23433
23434 @smallexample
23435 result = some_val (10,20)
23436 @end smallexample
23437
23438 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23439 @code{gdb.Value}.
23440
23441 The following attributes are provided:
23442
23443 @defvar Value.address
23444 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23445 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23446 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23447 @end defvar
23448
23449 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23450 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23451 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23452 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23453 @end defvar
23454
23455 @defvar Value.type
23456 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23457 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23458 @end defvar
23459
23460 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23461 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23462 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23463 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23464 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23465 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23466 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23467 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23468 type.
23469
23470 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23471 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23472 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23473 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23474 @end defvar
23475
23476 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23477 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23478 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23479 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23480 For example:
23481
23482 @smallexample
23483 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23484 @end smallexample
23485
23486 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23487 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23488 method is invoked.
23489 @end defvar
23490
23491 The following methods are provided:
23492
23493 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23494 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23495 this object initializer. Specifically:
23496
23497 @table @asis
23498 @item Python boolean
23499 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23500 language.
23501
23502 @item Python integer
23503 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23504 current architecture.
23505
23506 @item Python long
23507 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23508 current architecture.
23509
23510 @item Python float
23511 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23512 current architecture.
23513
23514 @item Python string
23515 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23516 target encoding.
23517
23518 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23519 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23520
23521 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23522 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23523 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23524 its result is used.
23525 @end table
23526 @end defun
23527
23528 @defun Value.cast (type)
23529 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23530 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23531 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23532 reason, this method throws an exception.
23533 @end defun
23534
23535 @defun Value.dereference ()
23536 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23537 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23538 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23539
23540 @smallexample
23541 int *foo;
23542 @end smallexample
23543
23544 @noindent
23545 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23546 @code{foo} points to like this:
23547
23548 @smallexample
23549 bar = foo.dereference ()
23550 @end smallexample
23551
23552 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23553 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23554
23555 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23556 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23557 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23558 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23559 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23560 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23561 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23562 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23563 as
23564
23565 @smallexample
23566 typedef int *intptr;
23567 ...
23568 int val = 10;
23569 intptr ptr = &val;
23570 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23571 @end smallexample
23572
23573 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23574 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23575 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23576 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23577 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23578 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23579
23580 @smallexample
23581 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23582 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23583 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23584 @end smallexample
23585
23586 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23587 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23588 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23589 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23590 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23591 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23592 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23593 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23594 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23595 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23596 @end defun
23597
23598 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23599 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23600 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23601 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23602 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23603 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23604 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23605 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23606 in your C@t{++} program as
23607
23608 @smallexample
23609 int val = 10;
23610 int &ref = val;
23611 @end smallexample
23612
23613 @noindent
23614 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23615 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23616 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23617 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23618
23619 @smallexample
23620 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23621 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23622 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23623 @end smallexample
23624
23625 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23626 corresponding to @code{val}.
23627 @end defun
23628
23629 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23630 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23631 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23632 @end defun
23633
23634 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23635 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23636 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23637 @end defun
23638
23639 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23640 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23641 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23642 throw an exception.
23643
23644 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23645 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23646 language.
23647
23648 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23649 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23650 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23651 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23652 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23653
23654 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23655 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23656 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23657 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23658 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23659 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23660 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23661 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23662 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23663
23664 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23665 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23666
23667 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23668 fetched and converted to the given length.
23669 @end defun
23670
23671 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23672 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23673 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23674 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23675
23676 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23677 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23678 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23679 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23680 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23681
23682 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23683 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23684 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23685 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23686 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23687 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23688
23689 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23690 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23691 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23692 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23693 @end defun
23694
23695 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23696 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23697 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23698 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23699 will produce a Python exception.
23700
23701 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23702 has no effect.
23703
23704 This method does not return a value.
23705 @end defun
23706
23707
23708 @node Types In Python
23709 @subsubsection Types In Python
23710 @cindex types in Python
23711 @cindex Python, working with types
23712
23713 @tindex gdb.Type
23714 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23715 @code{gdb.Type}.
23716
23717 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23718 module:
23719
23720 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23721 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23722 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23723 type to look up. It must be a string.
23724
23725 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23726 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23727
23728 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23729 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23730 @end defun
23731
23732 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23733 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23734 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23735 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23736
23737 @smallexample
23738 bar = some_type['foo']
23739 @end smallexample
23740
23741 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23742 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23743 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23744
23745 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23746
23747 @defvar Type.code
23748 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23749 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23750 @end defvar
23751
23752 @defvar Type.sizeof
23753 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23754 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23755 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23756 @end defvar
23757
23758 @defvar Type.tag
23759 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23760 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23761 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23762 @code{None} is returned.
23763 @end defvar
23764
23765 The following methods are provided:
23766
23767 @defun Type.fields ()
23768 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23769 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23770 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23771 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23772 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23773 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23774
23775 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23776 @table @code
23777 @item bitpos
23778 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23779 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23780 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23781 enumeration member's integer representation.
23782
23783 @item name
23784 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23785
23786 @item artificial
23787 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23788 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23789 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23790
23791 @item is_base_class
23792 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23793 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23794 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23795 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23796
23797 @item bitsize
23798 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23799 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23800 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23801
23802 @item type
23803 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23804 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23805 @end table
23806 @end defun
23807
23808 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23809 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23810 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23811 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23812 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23813 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23814 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23815 @end defun
23816
23817 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23818 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23819 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23820 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23821 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23822 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23823 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23824
23825 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23826 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23827 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23828 @end defun
23829
23830 @defun Type.const ()
23831 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23832 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23833 @end defun
23834
23835 @defun Type.volatile ()
23836 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23837 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23838 @end defun
23839
23840 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23841 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23842 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23843 @code{volatile}.
23844 @end defun
23845
23846 @defun Type.range ()
23847 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23848 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23849 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23850 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23851 @end defun
23852
23853 @defun Type.reference ()
23854 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23855 type.
23856 @end defun
23857
23858 @defun Type.pointer ()
23859 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23860 type.
23861 @end defun
23862
23863 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23864 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23865 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23866 @end defun
23867
23868 @defun Type.target ()
23869 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23870 of this type.
23871
23872 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23873 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23874 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23875 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23876 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23877 target type is the aliased type.
23878
23879 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23880 exception.
23881 @end defun
23882
23883 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23884 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23885 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23886 @var{n}th template argument.
23887
23888 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23889 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23890
23891 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23892 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23893 @end defun
23894
23895
23896 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23897 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23898 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23899
23900 @table @code
23901 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23902 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23903 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23904 The type is a pointer.
23905
23906 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23907 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23908 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23909 The type is an array.
23910
23911 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23912 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23913 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23914 The type is a structure.
23915
23916 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23917 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23918 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23919 The type is a union.
23920
23921 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23922 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23923 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23924 The type is an enum.
23925
23926 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23927 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23928 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23929 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23930
23931 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23932 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23933 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23934 The type is a function.
23935
23936 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23937 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23938 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23939 The type is an integer type.
23940
23941 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23942 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23943 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23944 A floating point type.
23945
23946 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23947 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23948 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23949 The special type @code{void}.
23950
23951 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23952 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23953 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23954 A Pascal set type.
23955
23956 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23957 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23958 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23959 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23960
23961 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23962 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23963 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23964 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23965 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23966
23967 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23968 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23969 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23970 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23971
23972 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23973 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23974 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23975 An unknown or erroneous type.
23976
23977 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23978 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23979 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23980 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23981
23982 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23983 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23984 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23985 A pointer-to-member-function.
23986
23987 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23988 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23989 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23990 A pointer-to-member.
23991
23992 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23993 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23994 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23995 A reference type.
23996
23997 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23998 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23999 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24000 A character type.
24001
24002 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24003 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24004 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24005 A boolean type.
24006
24007 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24008 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24009 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24010 A complex float type.
24011
24012 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24013 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24014 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24015 A typedef to some other type.
24016
24017 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24018 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24019 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24020 A C@t{++} namespace.
24021
24022 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24023 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24024 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24025 A decimal floating point type.
24026
24027 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24028 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24029 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24030 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24031 convenience functions.
24032 @end table
24033
24034 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24035 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24036
24037 @node Pretty Printing API
24038 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24039
24040 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24041
24042 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24043 specific interface, defined here.
24044
24045 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24046 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24047 children of the pretty-printer's value.
24048
24049 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24050 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24051 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24052 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24053 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24054
24055 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24056 as though the value has no children.
24057 @end defun
24058
24059 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24060 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24061 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24062 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24063 printed.
24064
24065 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24066 string.
24067
24068 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24069
24070 @table @samp
24071 @item array
24072 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24073 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24074 @code{set print array}.
24075
24076 @item map
24077 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24078 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24079 values.
24080
24081 @item string
24082 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24083 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24084 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24085 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24086 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24087 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24088 @end table
24089 @end defun
24090
24091 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24092 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24093 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24094
24095 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24096 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24097 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24098 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24099 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24100 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24101 the result of @code{children}.
24102
24103 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24104
24105 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24106 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24107 another pretty-printer.
24108
24109 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24110 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24111 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24112 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24113 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24114
24115 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24116 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24117
24118 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24119 @end defun
24120
24121 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24122 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24123
24124 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24125 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24126 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24127 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24128 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24129 @end defun
24130
24131 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24132 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24133
24134 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24135 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24136 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24137 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24138 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24139 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24140 attribute.
24141
24142 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24143 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24144 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24145 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24146 @code{None}.
24147
24148 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24149 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24150 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24151 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24152 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24153 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24154 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24155 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24156 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24157 object is returned.
24158
24159 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24160 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24161 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24162 object is returned.
24163
24164 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24165 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24166 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24167
24168 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24169 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24170 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24171 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24172 with a broken printer.
24173
24174 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24175 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24176 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24177 the printer is enabled.
24178
24179 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24180 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24181 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24182
24183 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24184 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24185
24186 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24187 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24188 must provide.
24189
24190 @smallexample
24191 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24192 "Print a std::string"
24193
24194 def __init__(self, val):
24195 self.val = val
24196
24197 def to_string(self):
24198 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24199
24200 def display_hint(self):
24201 return 'string'
24202 @end smallexample
24203
24204 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24205 example above might be written.
24206
24207 @smallexample
24208 def str_lookup_function(val):
24209 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24210 if lookup_tag == None:
24211 return None
24212 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24213 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24214 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24215 return None
24216 @end smallexample
24217
24218 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24219 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24220 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24221 returns @code{None}.
24222
24223 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24224 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24225 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24226 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24227 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24228 different names.
24229
24230 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24231 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24232 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24233 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24234 the current objfile.
24235
24236 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24237 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24238 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24239 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24240 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24241 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24242 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24243 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24244 inferior.
24245
24246 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24247 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24248
24249 @smallexample
24250 def register_printers(objfile):
24251 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24252 @end smallexample
24253
24254 @noindent
24255 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24256
24257 @smallexample
24258 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24259 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24260 @end smallexample
24261
24262 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24263 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24264 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24265 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24266 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24267
24268 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24269 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24270 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24271 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24272 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24273 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24274
24275 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24276 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24277 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24278
24279 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24280
24281 @smallexample
24282 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24283 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24284 @end smallexample
24285
24286 Here are the printers:
24287
24288 @smallexample
24289 class fooPrinter:
24290 """Print a foo object."""
24291
24292 def __init__(self, val):
24293 self.val = val
24294
24295 def to_string(self):
24296 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24297 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24298
24299 class barPrinter:
24300 """Print a bar object."""
24301
24302 def __init__(self, val):
24303 self.val = val
24304
24305 def to_string(self):
24306 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24307 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24308 @end smallexample
24309
24310 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24311 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24312 the object that handles the lookup.
24313
24314 @smallexample
24315 import gdb.printing
24316
24317 def build_pretty_printer():
24318 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24319 "my_library")
24320 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24321 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24322 return pp
24323 @end smallexample
24324
24325 And here is the autoload support:
24326
24327 @smallexample
24328 import gdb.printing
24329 import my_library
24330 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24331 gdb.current_objfile(),
24332 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24333 @end smallexample
24334
24335 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24336 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24337
24338 @smallexample
24339 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24340 my_library.so:
24341 my_library
24342 foo
24343 bar
24344 @end smallexample
24345
24346 @node Type Printing API
24347 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24348 @cindex type printing API for Python
24349
24350 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24351 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24352 types.
24353
24354 @cindex type printer
24355 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24356 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24357 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24358
24359 @defivar type_printer enabled
24360 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24361 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24362 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24363 @end defivar
24364
24365 @defivar type_printer name
24366 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24367 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24368 commands.
24369 @end defivar
24370
24371 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24372 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24373 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24374 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24375 @end defmethod
24376
24377
24378 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24379 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24380 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24381 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24382 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24383
24384 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24385 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24386 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24387
24388 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24389 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24390 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24391 The recognition function is defined as:
24392
24393 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24394 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24395 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24396 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24397 Python}).
24398 @end defmethod
24399
24400 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24401 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24402 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24403 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24404 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24405 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24406 inferior changed.
24407
24408 @node Inferiors In Python
24409 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
24410 @cindex inferiors in Python
24411
24412 @findex gdb.Inferior
24413 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
24414 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
24415 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
24416 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
24417
24418 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24419 module:
24420
24421 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
24422 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
24423 @end defun
24424
24425 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
24426 Return an object representing the current inferior.
24427 @end defun
24428
24429 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
24430
24431 @defvar Inferior.num
24432 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
24433 @end defvar
24434
24435 @defvar Inferior.pid
24436 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
24437 system.
24438 @end defvar
24439
24440 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
24441 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
24442 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
24443 @end defvar
24444
24445 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
24446
24447 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
24448 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
24449 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
24450 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
24451 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
24452 at the time the method is called.
24453 @end defun
24454
24455 @defun Inferior.threads ()
24456 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
24457 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
24458 return an empty tuple.
24459 @end defun
24460
24461 @findex Inferior.read_memory
24462 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
24463 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
24464 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
24465 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
24466 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
24467 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
24468 @end defun
24469
24470 @findex Inferior.write_memory
24471 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
24472 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
24473 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
24474 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24475 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
24476 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
24477 @end defun
24478
24479 @findex gdb.search_memory
24480 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
24481 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
24482 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
24483 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
24484 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24485 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
24486 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
24487 the pattern could not be found.
24488 @end defun
24489
24490 @node Events In Python
24491 @subsubsection Events In Python
24492 @cindex inferior events in Python
24493
24494 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
24495 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
24496 the inferior.
24497
24498 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
24499 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
24500 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
24501
24502 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
24503 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
24504 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24505 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24506
24507 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24508 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24509 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24510 @end defun
24511
24512 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24513 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24514 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24515 @end defun
24516
24517 Here is an example:
24518
24519 @smallexample
24520 def exit_handler (event):
24521 print "event type: exit"
24522 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24523
24524 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24525 @end smallexample
24526
24527 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24528 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24529 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24530 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24531 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24532 the inferior.
24533
24534 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24535 details of the events they emit:
24536
24537 @table @code
24538
24539 @item events.cont
24540 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24541
24542 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24543 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24544 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24545 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24546 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24547 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24548
24549 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24550 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24551 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24552 @end defvar
24553
24554 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24555
24556 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24557 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24558
24559 @item events.exited
24560 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24561 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24562 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24563 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24564 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24565 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24566 the attribute does not exist.
24567 @end defvar
24568 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24569 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24570 @end defvar
24571
24572 @item events.stop
24573 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24574
24575 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24576 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24577 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24578 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24579
24580 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24581
24582 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24583 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24584
24585 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24586 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24587 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24588 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24589 @end defvar
24590
24591 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24592
24593 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24594 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24595
24596 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24597 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24598 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24599 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24600 @end defvar
24601 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24602 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24603 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24604 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24605 @end defvar
24606
24607 @item events.new_objfile
24608 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24609 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24610
24611 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24612 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24613 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24614 @end defvar
24615
24616 @end table
24617
24618 @node Threads In Python
24619 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24620 @cindex threads in python
24621
24622 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24623 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24624 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24625
24626 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24627 module:
24628
24629 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24630 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24631 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24632 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24633 @end defun
24634
24635 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24636
24637 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24638 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24639 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24640 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24641 returns @code{None}.
24642
24643 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24644 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24645 user-specified thread name.
24646 @end defvar
24647
24648 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24649 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24650 @end defvar
24651
24652 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24653 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24654 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24655 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24656 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24657 does not use that identifier.
24658 @end defvar
24659
24660 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24661
24662 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24663 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24664 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24665 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24666 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24667 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24668 @end defun
24669
24670 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24671 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24672 by this object.
24673 @end defun
24674
24675 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24676 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24677 @end defun
24678
24679 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24680 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24681 @end defun
24682
24683 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24684 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24685 @end defun
24686
24687 @node Commands In Python
24688 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24689
24690 @cindex commands in python
24691 @cindex python commands
24692 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24693 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24694 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24695
24696 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24697 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24698 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24699 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24700
24701 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24702 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24703 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24704 an exception is raised.
24705
24706 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24707
24708 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24709 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24710 new command in the help system.
24711
24712 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24713 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24714 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24715 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24716 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24717 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24718
24719 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24720 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24721 registered.
24722
24723 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24724 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24725 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24726 not documented.'' is used.
24727 @end defun
24728
24729 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24730 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24731 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24732 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24733 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24734 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24735 @end defun
24736
24737 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24738 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24739
24740 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24741 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24742
24743 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24744 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24745 that the command came from elsewhere.
24746
24747 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24748 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24749
24750 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24751 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24752 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24753 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24754 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24755 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24756 Example:
24757
24758 @smallexample
24759 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24760 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24761 @end smallexample
24762
24763 @end defun
24764
24765 @cindex completion of Python commands
24766 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24767 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24768 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24769 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24770 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24771 complete}).
24772
24773 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24774 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24775 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24776 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24777
24778 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24779 @itemize @bullet
24780 @item
24781 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24782 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24783 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24784 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24785 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24786 sequence are ignored.
24787
24788 @item
24789 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24790 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24791 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24792
24793 @item
24794 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24795 completions.
24796 @end itemize
24797 @end defun
24798
24799 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24800 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24801 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24802 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24803 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24804 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24805
24806 @table @code
24807 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24808 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24809 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24810 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24811 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24812
24813 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24814 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24815 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24816 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24817 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24818 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24819 commands in this category.
24820
24821 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24822 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24823 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24824 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24825 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24826 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24827 in this category.
24828
24829 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24830 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24831 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24832 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24833 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24834 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24835 list of commands in this category.
24836
24837 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24838 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24839 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24840 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24841 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24842 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24843 commands in this category.
24844
24845 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24846 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24847 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24848 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24849 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24850 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24851 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24852 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24853 commands in this category.
24854
24855 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24856 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24857 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24858 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24859 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24860 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24861 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24862
24863 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24864 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24865 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24866 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24867 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24868 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24869 this category.
24870
24871 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24872 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24873 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24874 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24875 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24876 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24877 commands in this category.
24878
24879 @findex COMMAND_USER
24880 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24881 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24882 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24883 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24884 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24885 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24886 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24887
24888 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24889 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24890 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24891 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24892 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24893 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24894 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24895 category.
24896
24897 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24898 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24899 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24900 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24901 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24902 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24903 commands in this category.
24904 @end table
24905
24906 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24907 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24908 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24909 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24910
24911 @table @code
24912 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24913 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24914 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24915 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24916
24917 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24918 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24919 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24920 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24921
24922 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24923 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24924 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24925 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24926 @xref{Specify Location}.
24927
24928 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24929 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24930 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24931 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24932 command names.
24933
24934 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24935 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24936 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24937 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24938 as the source.
24939 @end table
24940
24941 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24942 implemented in Python:
24943
24944 @smallexample
24945 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24946 """Greet the whole world."""
24947
24948 def __init__ (self):
24949 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24950
24951 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24952 print "Hello, World!"
24953
24954 HelloWorld ()
24955 @end smallexample
24956
24957 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24958 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24959 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24960 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24961
24962 @node Parameters In Python
24963 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24964
24965 @cindex parameters in python
24966 @cindex python parameters
24967 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24968 @tindex Parameter
24969 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24970 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24971 class.
24972
24973 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24974 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24975
24976 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24977 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24978 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24979 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24980 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24981
24982 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24983 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24984 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24985 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24986
24987 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24988 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24989 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24990 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24991 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24992 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24993 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24994
24995 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24996 can be found, an exception is raised.
24997
24998 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24999 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
25000 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
25001
25002 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
25003 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
25004 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
25005 completion.
25006
25007 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
25008 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
25009 represent the possible values for the parameter.
25010
25011 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
25012 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
25013
25014 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
25015 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
25016 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
25017 @end defun
25018
25019 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
25020 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25021 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
25022 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25023 have no effect.
25024 @end defvar
25025
25026 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
25027 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25028 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
25029 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25030 have no effect.
25031 @end defvar
25032
25033 @defvar Parameter.value
25034 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
25035 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
25036 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
25037 @end defvar
25038
25039 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
25040 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
25041
25042 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
25043 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
25044 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
25045 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
25046 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
25047 @end defun
25048
25049 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
25050 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
25051 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
25052 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
25053 current value. This method must return a string.
25054 @end defun
25055
25056 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
25057 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25058 module:
25059
25060 @table @code
25061 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25062 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25063 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25064 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25065 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25066
25067 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25068 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25069 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25070 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25071 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25072 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25073
25074 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25075 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25076 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25077 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25078 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25079
25080 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
25081 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25082 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25083 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25084 to mean ``unlimited''.
25085
25086 @findex PARAM_STRING
25087 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25088 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25089 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25090 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25091 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25092 host charset.
25093
25094 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25095 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25096 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25097 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25098 passed through untranslated.
25099
25100 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25101 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25102 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25103 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25104
25105 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
25106 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25107 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25108 The value is a filename. This is just like
25109 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25110
25111 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25112 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25113 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25114 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25115 is interpreted as itself.
25116
25117 @findex PARAM_ENUM
25118 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25119 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25120 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25121 constants provided when the parameter is created.
25122 @end table
25123
25124 @node Functions In Python
25125 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25126
25127 @cindex writing convenience functions
25128 @cindex convenience functions in python
25129 @cindex python convenience functions
25130 @tindex gdb.Function
25131 @tindex Function
25132 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25133 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25134 class @code{gdb.Function}.
25135
25136 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
25137 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25138 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25139 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25140 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25141 the given @var{name}.
25142
25143 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25144 string for the new class.
25145 @end defun
25146
25147 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25148 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25149 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25150 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25151 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25152 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25153 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25154 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25155
25156 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25157 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25158 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25159 @end defun
25160
25161 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
25162 be implemented in Python:
25163
25164 @smallexample
25165 class Greet (gdb.Function):
25166 """Return string to greet someone.
25167 Takes a name as argument."""
25168
25169 def __init__ (self):
25170 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
25171
25172 def invoke (self, name):
25173 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
25174
25175 Greet ()
25176 @end smallexample
25177
25178 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25179 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25180 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25181 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25182
25183 Now you can use the function in an expression:
25184
25185 @smallexample
25186 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
25187 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
25188 @end smallexample
25189
25190 @node Progspaces In Python
25191 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
25192
25193 @cindex progspaces in python
25194 @tindex gdb.Progspace
25195 @tindex Progspace
25196 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
25197 of an address space.
25198 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
25199 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25200 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
25201 about program spaces.
25202
25203 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
25204 @code{gdb} module:
25205
25206 @findex gdb.current_progspace
25207 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
25208 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
25209 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
25210 @end defun
25211
25212 @findex gdb.progspaces
25213 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
25214 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
25215 @end defun
25216
25217 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
25218 class.
25219
25220 @defvar Progspace.filename
25221 The file name of the progspace as a string.
25222 @end defvar
25223
25224 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
25225 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25226 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25227 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25228 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25229 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25230 information.
25231 @end defvar
25232
25233 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
25234 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25235 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25236 @end defvar
25237
25238 @node Objfiles In Python
25239 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
25240
25241 @cindex objfiles in python
25242 @tindex gdb.Objfile
25243 @tindex Objfile
25244 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
25245 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
25246 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
25247 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
25248 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
25249
25250 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
25251 @code{gdb} module:
25252
25253 @findex gdb.current_objfile
25254 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
25255 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
25256 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
25257 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
25258 this function returns @code{None}.
25259 @end defun
25260
25261 @findex gdb.objfiles
25262 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
25263 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
25264 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25265 @end defun
25266
25267 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
25268 class.
25269
25270 @defvar Objfile.filename
25271 The file name of the objfile as a string.
25272 @end defvar
25273
25274 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
25275 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25276 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25277 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25278 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25279 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25280 information.
25281 @end defvar
25282
25283 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
25284 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25285 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25286 @end defvar
25287
25288 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
25289
25290 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
25291 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
25292 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
25293 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
25294 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
25295 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25296 @end defun
25297
25298 @node Frames In Python
25299 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
25300
25301 @cindex frames in python
25302 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
25303 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
25304 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
25305 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
25306 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
25307 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
25308
25309 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
25310 operator, like:
25311
25312 @smallexample
25313 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
25314 True
25315 @end smallexample
25316
25317 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
25318
25319 @findex gdb.selected_frame
25320 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
25321 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
25322 @end defun
25323
25324 @findex gdb.newest_frame
25325 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
25326 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
25327 @end defun
25328
25329 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25330 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
25331 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
25332 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
25333 @end defun
25334
25335 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
25336
25337 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
25338 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
25339 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
25340 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
25341 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25342 @end defun
25343
25344 @defun Frame.name ()
25345 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
25346 obtained.
25347 @end defun
25348
25349 @defun Frame.architecture ()
25350 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
25351 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
25352 @end defun
25353
25354 @defun Frame.type ()
25355 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
25356 @table @code
25357 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
25358 An ordinary stack frame.
25359
25360 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
25361 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
25362 inferior function call.
25363
25364 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
25365 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
25366 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
25367
25368 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
25369 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
25370
25371 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
25372 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
25373 it calls into a signal handler.
25374
25375 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
25376 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
25377
25378 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
25379 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
25380 newest frame.
25381 @end table
25382 @end defun
25383
25384 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
25385 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
25386 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
25387 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
25388 function to a string. The value can be one of:
25389
25390 @table @code
25391 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
25392 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
25393
25394 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
25395 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
25396
25397 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
25398 This frame is the outermost.
25399
25400 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
25401 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
25402 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
25403
25404 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
25405 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
25406 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
25407 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
25408
25409 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
25410 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
25411 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
25412 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
25413 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
25414 stack corruption.
25415
25416 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
25417 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
25418 one to unwind further.
25419
25420 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
25421 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
25422 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
25423 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
25424 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
25425 versions. Using it, you could write:
25426 @smallexample
25427 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
25428 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25429 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
25430 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
25431 @end smallexample
25432 @end table
25433
25434 @end defun
25435
25436 @defun Frame.pc ()
25437 Returns the frame's resume address.
25438 @end defun
25439
25440 @defun Frame.block ()
25441 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25442 @end defun
25443
25444 @defun Frame.function ()
25445 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
25446 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
25447 @end defun
25448
25449 @defun Frame.older ()
25450 Return the frame that called this frame.
25451 @end defun
25452
25453 @defun Frame.newer ()
25454 Return the frame called by this frame.
25455 @end defun
25456
25457 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
25458 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
25459 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
25460 @end defun
25461
25462 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
25463 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
25464 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
25465 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
25466 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
25467 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
25468 @code{gdb.Block} object.
25469 @end defun
25470
25471 @defun Frame.select ()
25472 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
25473 Stack}.
25474 @end defun
25475
25476 @node Blocks In Python
25477 @subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
25478
25479 @cindex blocks in python
25480 @tindex gdb.Block
25481
25482 In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
25483 roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
25484 hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
25485 @code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
25486 available.
25487
25488 A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
25489 in-depth discussion of frames.
25490
25491 The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
25492 block typically holds public global variables and functions.
25493
25494 The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
25495 block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
25496 functions.
25497
25498 @value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
25499 is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
25500 iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
25501 Python}).
25502
25503 Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
25504
25505 @smallexample
25506 /* This is in the global block. */
25507 int global;
25508
25509 /* This is in the static block. */
25510 static int file_scope;
25511
25512 /* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
25513 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
25514 int function (int argument)
25515 @{
25516 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
25517 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
25518 int local;
25519
25520 @{
25521 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
25522 'local'. */
25523 int inner;
25524
25525 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
25526 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
25527 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
25528 inline_function ();
25529 @}
25530 @}
25531 @end smallexample
25532
25533 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
25534 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
25535 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
25536 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
25537 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
25538 table.
25539
25540 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25541 module:
25542
25543 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
25544 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
25545 Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
25546 value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
25547 the function will return @code{None}.
25548 @end defun
25549
25550 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
25551
25552 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25553 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25554 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25555 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25556 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25557 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25558 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25559 @end defun
25560
25561 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25562
25563 @defvar Block.start
25564 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25565 @end defvar
25566
25567 @defvar Block.end
25568 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25569 @end defvar
25570
25571 @defvar Block.function
25572 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25573 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25574 attribute is not writable.
25575
25576 For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
25577 However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
25578 have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
25579 happens for an inlined function.
25580 @end defvar
25581
25582 @defvar Block.superblock
25583 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25584 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25585 @end defvar
25586
25587 @defvar Block.global_block
25588 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25589 writable.
25590 @end defvar
25591
25592 @defvar Block.static_block
25593 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25594 writable.
25595 @end defvar
25596
25597 @defvar Block.is_global
25598 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25599 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25600 writable.
25601 @end defvar
25602
25603 @defvar Block.is_static
25604 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25605 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25606 @end defvar
25607
25608 @node Symbols In Python
25609 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25610
25611 @cindex symbols in python
25612 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25613
25614 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25615 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25616 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25617 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25618
25619 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25620 module:
25621
25622 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25623 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25624 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25625 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25626 arguments.
25627
25628 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25629 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25630 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25631 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25632 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25633 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25634 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25635 in this chapter.
25636
25637 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25638 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25639 is not found.
25640 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25641 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25642 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25643 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25644 @end defun
25645
25646 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25647 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25648 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25649 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25650
25651 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25652 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25653 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25654 module and described later in this chapter.
25655
25656 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25657 is not found.
25658 @end defun
25659
25660 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25661
25662 @defvar Symbol.type
25663 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25664 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25665 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25666 @end defvar
25667
25668 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25669 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25670 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25671 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25672 @end defvar
25673
25674 @defvar Symbol.line
25675 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25676 This is an integer.
25677 @end defvar
25678
25679 @defvar Symbol.name
25680 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25681 @end defvar
25682
25683 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25684 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25685 This attribute is not writable.
25686 @end defvar
25687
25688 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25689 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25690 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25691 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25692 @end defvar
25693
25694 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25695 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25696 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25697 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25698 @end defvar
25699
25700 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25701 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25702 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25703 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25704 @end defvar
25705
25706 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25707 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25708 @end defvar
25709
25710 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25711 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25712 @end defvar
25713
25714 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25715 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25716 @end defvar
25717
25718 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25719 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25720 @end defvar
25721
25722 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25723
25724 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25725 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25726 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25727 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25728 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25729 invalid at the time the method is called.
25730 @end defun
25731
25732 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25733 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25734 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25735 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25736 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25737 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25738 exception.
25739 @end defun
25740
25741 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25742 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25743
25744 @table @code
25745 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25746 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25747 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25748 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25749 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25750 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25751 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25752 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25753 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25754 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25755 type values.
25756 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25757 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25758 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25759 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25760 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25761 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25762 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25763 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25764 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25765 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25766 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25767 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25768 contains everything minus functions and types.
25769 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25770 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25771 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25772 This domain contains all functions.
25773 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25774 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25775 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25776 This domain contains all types.
25777 @end table
25778
25779 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25780 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25781
25782 @table @code
25783 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25784 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25785 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25786 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25787 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25788 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25789 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25790 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25791 Value is constant int.
25792 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25793 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25794 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25795 Value is at a fixed address.
25796 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25797 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25798 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25799 Value is in a register.
25800 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25801 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25802 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25803 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25804 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25805 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25806 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25807 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25808 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25809 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25810 offset, not the value itself.
25811 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25812 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25813 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25814 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25815 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25816 itself.
25817 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25818 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25819 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25820 Value is a local variable.
25821 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25822 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25823 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25824 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25825 have this class.
25826 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25827 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25828 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25829 Value is a block.
25830 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25831 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25832 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25833 Value is a byte-sequence.
25834 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25835 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25836 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25837 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25838 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25839 referenced.
25840 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25841 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25842 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25843 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25844 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25845 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25846 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25847 The value's address is a computed location.
25848 @end table
25849
25850 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25851 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25852
25853 @cindex symbol tables in python
25854 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25855 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25856
25857 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25858 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25859 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25860 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25861 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25862
25863 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25864 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25865
25866 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25867
25868 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25869 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25870 This attribute is not writable.
25871 @end defvar
25872
25873 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25874 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25875 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25876 @end defvar
25877
25878 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25879 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25880 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25881 @end defvar
25882
25883 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25884 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25885 attribute is not writable.
25886 @end defvar
25887
25888 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25889
25890 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25891 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25892 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25893 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25894 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25895 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25896 invalid at the time the method is called.
25897 @end defun
25898
25899 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25900
25901 @defvar Symtab.filename
25902 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25903 @end defvar
25904
25905 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25906 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25907 This attribute is not writable.
25908 @end defvar
25909
25910 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25911
25912 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25913 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25914 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25915 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25916 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25917 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25918 @end defun
25919
25920 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25921 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25922 @end defun
25923
25924 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25925 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25926 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25927 @end defun
25928
25929 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25930 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25931 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25932 @end defun
25933
25934 @node Breakpoints In Python
25935 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25936
25937 @cindex breakpoints in python
25938 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25939
25940 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25941 class.
25942
25943 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25944 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25945 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25946 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25947 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25948 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25949 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25950 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25951 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25952 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25953 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25954 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25955 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25956 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25957 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25958 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25959 @end defun
25960
25961 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25962 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25963 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25964 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25965 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25966 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25967 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25968 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25969
25970 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25971 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25972 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25973 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25974 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25975 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25976
25977 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25978 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25979 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25980 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25981 at this time.
25982
25983 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25984
25985 @smallexample
25986 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25987 def stop (self):
25988 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25989 if inf_val == 3:
25990 return True
25991 return False
25992 @end smallexample
25993 @end defun
25994
25995 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25996 @code{gdb} module:
25997
25998 @table @code
25999 @findex WP_READ
26000 @findex gdb.WP_READ
26001 @item gdb.WP_READ
26002 Read only watchpoint.
26003
26004 @findex WP_WRITE
26005 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
26006 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
26007 Write only watchpoint.
26008
26009 @findex WP_ACCESS
26010 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
26011 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
26012 Read/Write watchpoint.
26013 @end table
26014
26015 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
26016 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
26017 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
26018 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
26019 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
26020 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
26021 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
26022 @end defun
26023
26024 @defun Breakpoint.delete
26025 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
26026 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
26027 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
26028 @end defun
26029
26030 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
26031 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
26032 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26033 @end defvar
26034
26035 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
26036 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
26037 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26038
26039 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
26040 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
26041 @code{silent} attribute.
26042 @end defvar
26043
26044 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
26045 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
26046 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
26047 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26048 @end defvar
26049
26050 @defvar Breakpoint.task
26051 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
26052 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
26053 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
26054 is writable.
26055 @end defvar
26056
26057 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
26058 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26059 This attribute is writable.
26060 @end defvar
26061
26062 @defvar Breakpoint.number
26063 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
26064 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
26065 @end defvar
26066
26067 @defvar Breakpoint.type
26068 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
26069 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
26070 writable.
26071 @end defvar
26072
26073 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
26074 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
26075 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
26076 attribute is not writable.
26077 @end defvar
26078
26079 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26080 module:
26081
26082 @table @code
26083 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
26084 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26085 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26086 Normal code breakpoint.
26087
26088 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
26089 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26090 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26091 Watchpoint breakpoint.
26092
26093 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26094 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26095 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26096 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
26097
26098 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26099 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26100 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26101 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
26102
26103 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26104 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26105 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26106 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
26107 @end table
26108
26109 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26110 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26111 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26112 @end defvar
26113
26114 @defvar Breakpoint.location
26115 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26116 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26117 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26118 attribute is not writable.
26119 @end defvar
26120
26121 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
26122 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26123 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26124 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26125 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26126 @end defvar
26127
26128 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
26129 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26130 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26131 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26132 @end defvar
26133
26134 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
26135 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26136 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26137 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26138 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26139 @end defvar
26140
26141 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26142 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26143
26144 @cindex python finish breakpoints
26145 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26146
26147 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26148 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26149 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
26150 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
26151 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
26152 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
26153 thread selected.
26154
26155 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
26156 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
26157 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
26158 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
26159 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
26160 details about this argument.
26161 @end defun
26162
26163 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
26164 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
26165 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
26166 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
26167 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
26168
26169 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
26170 method:
26171
26172 @smallexample
26173 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
26174 def stop (self):
26175 print "normal finish"
26176 return True
26177
26178 def out_of_scope ():
26179 print "abnormal finish"
26180 @end smallexample
26181 @end defun
26182
26183 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
26184 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
26185 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
26186 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
26187 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
26188 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
26189 is not writable.
26190 @end defvar
26191
26192 @node Lazy Strings In Python
26193 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
26194
26195 @cindex lazy strings in python
26196 @tindex gdb.LazyString
26197
26198 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
26199 encoded until it is needed.
26200
26201 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
26202 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
26203 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
26204 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
26205 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
26206 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
26207 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
26208 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
26209 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
26210
26211 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
26212
26213 @defun LazyString.value ()
26214 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
26215 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
26216 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
26217 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
26218 @end defun
26219
26220 @defvar LazyString.address
26221 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
26222 writable.
26223 @end defvar
26224
26225 @defvar LazyString.length
26226 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
26227 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
26228 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
26229 @end defvar
26230
26231 @defvar LazyString.encoding
26232 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
26233 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
26234 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
26235 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
26236 is not writable.
26237 @end defvar
26238
26239 @defvar LazyString.type
26240 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
26241 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
26242 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
26243 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
26244 writable.
26245 @end defvar
26246
26247 @node Architectures In Python
26248 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
26249 @cindex Python architectures
26250
26251 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
26252 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
26253 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
26254
26255 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
26256
26257 @defun Architecture.name ()
26258 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
26259 @end defun
26260
26261 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
26262 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
26263 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
26264 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
26265 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
26266 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
26267 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
26268 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
26269 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
26270 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
26271 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
26272 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
26273 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
26274 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
26275 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
26276 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
26277
26278 @table @code
26279
26280 @item addr
26281 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
26282 the memory address of the instruction.
26283
26284 @item asm
26285 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
26286 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
26287 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
26288 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
26289
26290 @item length
26291 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
26292 instruction in bytes.
26293
26294 @end table
26295 @end defun
26296
26297 @node Python Auto-loading
26298 @subsection Python Auto-loading
26299 @cindex Python auto-loading
26300
26301 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26302 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26303 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
26304 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
26305 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26306 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26307
26308 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26309 debugging commands and scripts.
26310
26311 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26312 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26313
26314 @table @code
26315 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
26316 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
26317 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
26318 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
26319
26320 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
26321 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
26322 @item show auto-load python-scripts
26323 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
26324
26325 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
26326 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
26327 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
26328 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26329 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
26330
26331 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
26332 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
26333 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26334 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
26335 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
26336 an error message for each one is problematic.
26337
26338 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
26339
26340 Example:
26341
26342 @smallexample
26343 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
26344 Loaded Script
26345 Yes py-section-script.py
26346 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
26347 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
26348 @end smallexample
26349 @end table
26350
26351 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
26352 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
26353 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
26354 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
26355
26356 @menu
26357 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26358 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26359 * Which flavor to choose?::
26360 @end menu
26361
26362 @node objfile-gdb.py file
26363 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26364 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26365
26366 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
26367 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
26368 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
26369 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
26370 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
26371 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
26372
26373 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
26374 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
26375
26376 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26377 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26378
26379 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
26380 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
26381 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
26382 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
26383 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
26384 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
26385
26386 @table @code
26387 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
26388 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
26389 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
26390 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
26391 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
26392 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
26393
26394 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
26395 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
26396
26397 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
26398 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
26399 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
26400 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
26401
26402 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
26403 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
26404 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
26405 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
26406 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
26407 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
26408 platform.
26409
26410 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
26411 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
26412 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
26413
26414 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
26415 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
26416 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
26417 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
26418 @end table
26419
26420 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
26421 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
26422 @var{objfile} is opened.
26423 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
26424 is evaluated more than once.
26425
26426 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
26427 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26428 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26429
26430 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
26431 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
26432 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26433 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
26434
26435 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
26436 current directory and then along the source search path
26437 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
26438 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
26439 directory is not relevant to scripts.
26440
26441 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
26442 for example, this GCC macro:
26443
26444 @example
26445 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
26446 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
26447 asm("\
26448 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
26449 .byte 1\n\
26450 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
26451 .popsection \n\
26452 ");
26453 @end example
26454
26455 @noindent
26456 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
26457
26458 @example
26459 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
26460 @end example
26461
26462 The script name may include directories if desired.
26463
26464 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26465 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26466
26467 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
26468 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
26469
26470 @node Which flavor to choose?
26471 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
26472
26473 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
26474 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26475
26476 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
26477
26478 @itemize @bullet
26479 @item
26480 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26481
26482 @item
26483 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26484
26485 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26486 in the source search path.
26487 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26488 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26489
26490 @item
26491 Doesn't require source code additions.
26492 @end itemize
26493
26494 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26495
26496 @itemize @bullet
26497 @item
26498 Works with static linking.
26499
26500 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
26501 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26502 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26503 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
26504
26505 @item
26506 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26507
26508 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26509 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
26510
26511 @item
26512 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26513
26514 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26515 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26516 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26517 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26518 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26519 top of the source tree to the source search path.
26520 @end itemize
26521
26522 @node Python modules
26523 @subsection Python modules
26524 @cindex python modules
26525
26526 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
26527
26528 @menu
26529 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
26530 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
26531 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
26532 @end menu
26533
26534 @node gdb.printing
26535 @subsubsection gdb.printing
26536 @cindex gdb.printing
26537
26538 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26539 pretty-printers.
26540
26541 @table @code
26542 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
26543 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
26544 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
26545 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
26546
26547 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26548 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
26549 corresponding API for the subprinters.
26550
26551 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26552 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
26553 regular expressions.
26554 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
26555
26556 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
26557 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
26558 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
26559 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
26560 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
26561 the @code{enum} type to look up.
26562
26563 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
26564 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
26565 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
26566 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
26567 if a printer with the same name already exists.
26568 @end table
26569
26570 @node gdb.types
26571 @subsubsection gdb.types
26572 @cindex gdb.types
26573
26574 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26575 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
26576
26577 @table @code
26578 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
26579 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
26580 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
26581
26582 C@t{++} example:
26583
26584 @smallexample
26585 typedef const int const_int;
26586 const_int foo (3);
26587 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
26588 int main () @{ return 0; @}
26589 @end smallexample
26590
26591 Then in gdb:
26592
26593 @smallexample
26594 (gdb) start
26595 (gdb) python import gdb.types
26596 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26597 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26598 int
26599 @end smallexample
26600
26601 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26602 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26603 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26604
26605 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26606 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26607
26608 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26609 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26610 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26611 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26612 union fields. For example:
26613
26614 @smallexample
26615 struct A
26616 @{
26617 int a;
26618 union @{
26619 int b0;
26620 int b1;
26621 @};
26622 @};
26623 @end smallexample
26624
26625 @noindent
26626 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26627 @smallexample
26628 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26629 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26630 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26631 @{['a', '']@}
26632 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26633 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26634 @end smallexample
26635
26636 @item get_type_recognizers ()
26637 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
26638 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
26639 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
26640
26641 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
26642 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
26643 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
26644 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
26645 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
26646 API}).
26647
26648 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
26649 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
26650 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
26651 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
26652 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
26653 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
26654 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
26655 registered globally.
26656
26657 @item TypePrinter
26658 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
26659 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
26660 It defines a constructor:
26661
26662 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
26663 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
26664 starts in the enabled state.
26665 @end defmethod
26666
26667 @end table
26668
26669 @node gdb.prompt
26670 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26671 @cindex gdb.prompt
26672
26673 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26674
26675 @table @code
26676 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26677 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26678 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26679 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26680
26681 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26682
26683 @table @code
26684 @item \\
26685 Substitute a backslash.
26686 @item \e
26687 Substitute an ESC character.
26688 @item \f
26689 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26690 @item \n
26691 Substitute a newline.
26692 @item \p
26693 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26694 @item \r
26695 Substitute a carriage return.
26696 @item \t
26697 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26698 @item \v
26699 Substitute the version of GDB.
26700 @item \w
26701 Substitute the current working directory.
26702 @item \[
26703 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26704 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26705 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26706 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26707 @item \]
26708 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26709 @end table
26710
26711 For example:
26712
26713 @smallexample
26714 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26715 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26716 @end smallexample
26717
26718 @exdent will return the string:
26719
26720 @smallexample
26721 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26722 @end smallexample
26723 @end table
26724
26725 @node Aliases
26726 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26727 @cindex aliases for commands
26728
26729 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26730 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26731 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26732 that involves less typing.
26733
26734 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26735 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26736 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26737
26738 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26739 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26740 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26741
26742 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26743
26744 @table @code
26745
26746 @kindex alias
26747 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26748
26749 @end table
26750
26751 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26752 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26753 underscores.
26754
26755 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26756 that is being aliased.
26757
26758 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26759 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26760 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26761
26762 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26763 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26764
26765 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26766 of a command so that there is less to type.
26767 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26768 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26769 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26770 The following will accomplish this.
26771
26772 @smallexample
26773 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26774 @end smallexample
26775
26776 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26777 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26778 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26779 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26780
26781 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26782 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26783 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26784 of a command.
26785
26786 @smallexample
26787 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26788 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26789 (gdb) set p elms 20
26790 (gdb) show p elms
26791 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26792 @end smallexample
26793
26794 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26795 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26796 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26797
26798 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26799 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26800
26801 @smallexample
26802 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26803 @end smallexample
26804
26805 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26806 alias for a more complex command.
26807 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26808
26809 @smallexample
26810 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26811 (gdb) spe 20
26812 @end smallexample
26813
26814 @node Interpreters
26815 @chapter Command Interpreters
26816 @cindex command interpreters
26817
26818 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26819 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26820 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26821
26822 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26823 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26824 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26825 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26826
26827 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26828 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26829 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26830 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26831
26832 @table @code
26833 @item console
26834 @cindex console interpreter
26835 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26836 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26837 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26838
26839 @item mi
26840 @cindex mi interpreter
26841 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26842 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26843 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26844 Interface}.
26845
26846 @item mi2
26847 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26848 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26849
26850 @item mi1
26851 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26852 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26853
26854 @end table
26855
26856 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26857 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26858 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26859 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26860 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26861 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26862 the IDE inoperable!
26863
26864 @kindex interpreter-exec
26865 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26866 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26867 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26868 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26869
26870 @smallexample
26871 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26872 @end smallexample
26873
26874 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26875 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26876
26877 @node TUI
26878 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26879 @cindex TUI
26880 @cindex Text User Interface
26881
26882 @menu
26883 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26884 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26885 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26886 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26887 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26888 @end menu
26889
26890 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26891 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26892 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26893 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26894 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26895 is available.
26896
26897 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26898 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26899 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26900 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26901 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26902
26903 @node TUI Overview
26904 @section TUI Overview
26905
26906 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26907
26908 @table @emph
26909 @item command
26910 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26911 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26912 managed using readline.
26913
26914 @item source
26915 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26916 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26917
26918 @item assembly
26919 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26920
26921 @item register
26922 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26923 when their values change.
26924 @end table
26925
26926 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26927 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26928 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26929 indicates the breakpoint type:
26930
26931 @table @code
26932 @item B
26933 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26934
26935 @item b
26936 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26937
26938 @item H
26939 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26940
26941 @item h
26942 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26943 @end table
26944
26945 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26946
26947 @table @code
26948 @item +
26949 Breakpoint is enabled.
26950
26951 @item -
26952 Breakpoint is disabled.
26953 @end table
26954
26955 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26956 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26957 changes.
26958
26959 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26960 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26961 layouts:
26962
26963 @itemize @bullet
26964 @item
26965 source only,
26966
26967 @item
26968 assembly only,
26969
26970 @item
26971 source and assembly,
26972
26973 @item
26974 source and registers, or
26975
26976 @item
26977 assembly and registers.
26978 @end itemize
26979
26980 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26981
26982 @table @emph
26983 @item target
26984 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26985 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26986
26987 @item process
26988 Gives the current process or thread number.
26989 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26990
26991 @item function
26992 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26993 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26994 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26995 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26996
26997 @item line
26998 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26999 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27000
27001 @item pc
27002 Indicates the current program counter address.
27003 @end table
27004
27005 @node TUI Keys
27006 @section TUI Key Bindings
27007 @cindex TUI key bindings
27008
27009 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27010 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27011 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27012 @end ifset
27013 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27014 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27015 @end ifclear
27016 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27017 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27018
27019 @table @kbd
27020 @kindex C-x C-a
27021 @item C-x C-a
27022 @kindex C-x a
27023 @itemx C-x a
27024 @kindex C-x A
27025 @itemx C-x A
27026 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27027 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27028 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27029 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27030 The screen is then refreshed.
27031
27032 @kindex C-x 1
27033 @item C-x 1
27034 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27035 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27036 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27037
27038 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27039
27040 @kindex C-x 2
27041 @item C-x 2
27042 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27043 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27044 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27045 previous layout and the new one.
27046
27047 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27048
27049 @kindex C-x o
27050 @item C-x o
27051 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27052 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27053 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27054
27055 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27056
27057 @kindex C-x s
27058 @item C-x s
27059 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27060 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27061 @end table
27062
27063 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27064
27065 @table @asis
27066 @kindex PgUp
27067 @item @key{PgUp}
27068 Scroll the active window one page up.
27069
27070 @kindex PgDn
27071 @item @key{PgDn}
27072 Scroll the active window one page down.
27073
27074 @kindex Up
27075 @item @key{Up}
27076 Scroll the active window one line up.
27077
27078 @kindex Down
27079 @item @key{Down}
27080 Scroll the active window one line down.
27081
27082 @kindex Left
27083 @item @key{Left}
27084 Scroll the active window one column left.
27085
27086 @kindex Right
27087 @item @key{Right}
27088 Scroll the active window one column right.
27089
27090 @kindex C-L
27091 @item @kbd{C-L}
27092 Refresh the screen.
27093 @end table
27094
27095 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27096 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27097 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27098 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27099 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27100
27101 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27102 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27103 @cindex TUI single key mode
27104
27105 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27106 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27107 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27108
27109 @table @kbd
27110 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27111 @item c
27112 continue
27113
27114 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27115 @item d
27116 down
27117
27118 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27119 @item f
27120 finish
27121
27122 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27123 @item n
27124 next
27125
27126 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27127 @item q
27128 exit the SingleKey mode.
27129
27130 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27131 @item r
27132 run
27133
27134 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27135 @item s
27136 step
27137
27138 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27139 @item u
27140 up
27141
27142 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27143 @item v
27144 info locals
27145
27146 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27147 @item w
27148 where
27149 @end table
27150
27151 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27152 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27153 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27154 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27155 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27156 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27157
27158
27159 @node TUI Commands
27160 @section TUI-specific Commands
27161 @cindex TUI commands
27162
27163 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27164 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27165 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27166 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27167
27168 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27169 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27170 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27171 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27172 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27173
27174 @table @code
27175 @item info win
27176 @kindex info win
27177 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27178
27179 @item layout next
27180 @kindex layout
27181 Display the next layout.
27182
27183 @item layout prev
27184 Display the previous layout.
27185
27186 @item layout src
27187 Display the source window only.
27188
27189 @item layout asm
27190 Display the assembly window only.
27191
27192 @item layout split
27193 Display the source and assembly window.
27194
27195 @item layout regs
27196 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
27197
27198 @item focus next
27199 @kindex focus
27200 Make the next window active for scrolling.
27201
27202 @item focus prev
27203 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
27204
27205 @item focus src
27206 Make the source window active for scrolling.
27207
27208 @item focus asm
27209 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
27210
27211 @item focus regs
27212 Make the register window active for scrolling.
27213
27214 @item focus cmd
27215 Make the command window active for scrolling.
27216
27217 @item refresh
27218 @kindex refresh
27219 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
27220
27221 @item tui reg float
27222 @kindex tui reg
27223 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
27224
27225 @item tui reg general
27226 Show the general registers in the register window.
27227
27228 @item tui reg next
27229 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
27230 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
27231 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
27232 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
27233
27234 @item tui reg system
27235 Show the system registers in the register window.
27236
27237 @item update
27238 @kindex update
27239 Update the source window and the current execution point.
27240
27241 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
27242 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
27243 @kindex winheight
27244 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
27245 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
27246 decrease it.
27247
27248 @item tabset @var{nchars}
27249 @kindex tabset
27250 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
27251 @end table
27252
27253 @node TUI Configuration
27254 @section TUI Configuration Variables
27255 @cindex TUI configuration variables
27256
27257 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
27258
27259 @table @code
27260 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
27261 @kindex set tui border-kind
27262 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
27263 The possible values are the following:
27264 @table @code
27265 @item space
27266 Use a space character to draw the border.
27267
27268 @item ascii
27269 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
27270
27271 @item acs
27272 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
27273 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
27274 @end table
27275
27276 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
27277 @kindex set tui border-mode
27278 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
27279 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
27280 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
27281 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
27282 @table @code
27283 @item normal
27284 Use normal attributes to display the border.
27285
27286 @item standout
27287 Use standout mode.
27288
27289 @item reverse
27290 Use reverse video mode.
27291
27292 @item half
27293 Use half bright mode.
27294
27295 @item half-standout
27296 Use half bright and standout mode.
27297
27298 @item bold
27299 Use extra bright or bold mode.
27300
27301 @item bold-standout
27302 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27303 @end table
27304 @end table
27305
27306 @node Emacs
27307 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27308
27309 @cindex Emacs
27310 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27311 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27312 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27313 @value{GDBN}.
27314
27315 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27316 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27317 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27318 created Emacs buffer.
27319 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27320
27321 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27322 things:
27323
27324 @itemize @bullet
27325 @item
27326 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27327 the GUD buffer.
27328
27329 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27330 and output done by the program you are debugging.
27331
27332 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27333 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27334 in this way.
27335
27336 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27337 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27338 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27339 stop.
27340
27341 @item
27342 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27343
27344 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27345 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27346 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27347 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27348 and the source.
27349
27350 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27351 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27352 @end itemize
27353
27354 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27355 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27356 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27357 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27358
27359 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
27360 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
27361 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
27362 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
27363 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
27364 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
27365 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
27366 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
27367 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
27368
27369 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
27370 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
27371 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
27372 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
27373
27374 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
27375 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
27376 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
27377 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
27378 one you want.
27379
27380 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
27381 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
27382
27383 @table @kbd
27384 @item C-h m
27385 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
27386
27387 @item C-c C-s
27388 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
27389 update the display window to show the current file and location.
27390
27391 @item C-c C-n
27392 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
27393 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
27394 to show the current file and location.
27395
27396 @item C-c C-i
27397 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
27398 display window accordingly.
27399
27400 @item C-c C-f
27401 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
27402 @code{finish} command.
27403
27404 @item C-c C-r
27405 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
27406 command.
27407
27408 @item C-c <
27409 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
27410 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
27411 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
27412
27413 @item C-c >
27414 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
27415 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
27416 @end table
27417
27418 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
27419 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
27420
27421 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
27422 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
27423 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
27424 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
27425 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
27426 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
27427 speedbar displays watch expressions.
27428
27429 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
27430 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
27431 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
27432 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
27433 frame.
27434
27435 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
27436 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
27437 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
27438 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
27439 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
27440 to correspond properly with the code.
27441
27442 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
27443 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
27444 Emacs Manual}).
27445
27446 @node GDB/MI
27447 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
27448
27449 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
27450
27451 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
27452 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
27453 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
27454 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
27455 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
27456 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
27457
27458 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
27459 in the form of a reference manual.
27460
27461 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
27462 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
27463 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
27464
27465 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
27466
27467 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
27468 This chapter uses the following notation:
27469
27470 @itemize @bullet
27471 @item
27472 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
27473
27474 @item
27475 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
27476 it may or may not be given.
27477
27478 @item
27479 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27480 may repeat zero or more times.
27481
27482 @item
27483 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27484 may repeat one or more times.
27485
27486 @item
27487 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
27488 @end itemize
27489
27490 @ignore
27491 @heading Dependencies
27492 @end ignore
27493
27494 @menu
27495 * GDB/MI General Design::
27496 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
27497 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
27498 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
27499 * GDB/MI Output Records::
27500 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
27501 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
27502 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
27503 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27504 * GDB/MI Program Context::
27505 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
27506 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
27507 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
27508 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
27509 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
27510 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
27511 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
27512 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
27513 * GDB/MI File Commands::
27514 @ignore
27515 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
27516 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
27517 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
27518 @end ignore
27519 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
27520 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
27521 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
27522 @end menu
27523
27524 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27525 @node GDB/MI General Design
27526 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
27527 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
27528
27529 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
27530 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
27531 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
27532 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
27533 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
27534 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
27535 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
27536 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
27537 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
27538 a command and reported as part of that command response.
27539
27540 The important examples of notifications are:
27541 @itemize @bullet
27542
27543 @item
27544 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27545 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27546 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27547 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27548 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27549 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27550 command itself was successfully executed.
27551
27552 @item
27553 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27554 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27555 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27556 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27557 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27558 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27559
27560 @item
27561 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27562 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27563 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27564 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27565 orthogonal frontend design.
27566
27567 @end itemize
27568
27569 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27570 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27571 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27572 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27573 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27574 the user interface.
27575
27576
27577 @menu
27578 * Context management::
27579 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27580 * Thread groups::
27581 @end menu
27582
27583 @node Context management
27584 @subsection Context management
27585
27586 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27587 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27588 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27589 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27590 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27591 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27592 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27593 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27594 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27595
27596 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27597 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27598 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27599 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27600 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27601 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27602 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27603 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27604 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27605 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
27606 for thread and frame to operate on.
27607
27608 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27609 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27610 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27611 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27612 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27613 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27614 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27615 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27616 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27617 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27618
27619 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27620 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27621 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27622 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27623 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27624 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27625 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27626 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27627 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27628 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27629 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27630 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27631 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27632 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27633 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27634 @samp{--frame} options.
27635
27636 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27637 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27638
27639 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27640 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27641 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27642 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27643 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27644 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27645 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27646 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27647 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27648
27649 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27650 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27651 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27652 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27653 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27654 are running.
27655
27656 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27657 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27658 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27659 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27660 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27661 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27662 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27663 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27664 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27665 @samp{--thread} option).
27666
27667 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27668 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27669 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27670 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27671
27672 @node Thread groups
27673 @subsection Thread groups
27674 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27675 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27676 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27677 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27678 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27679
27680 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27681 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27682 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27683 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27684 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27685 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27686 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27687 into processes.
27688
27689 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27690 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27691 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27692 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27693 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27694 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27695 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27696 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27697 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27698 the members of specific thread group.
27699
27700 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27701 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27702 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27703 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27704 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27705 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27706 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27707 after attaching to that thread group.
27708
27709 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27710 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27711 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27712 such thread groups.
27713
27714 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27715 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27716 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27717
27718 @menu
27719 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27720 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27721 @end menu
27722
27723 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27724 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27725
27726 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27727 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27728 @table @code
27729 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27730 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27731
27732 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27733 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27734 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27735
27736 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27737 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27738 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27739
27740 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27741 "any sequence of digits"
27742
27743 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27744 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27745
27746 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27747 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27748
27749 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27750 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27751
27752 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27753 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27754 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27755
27756 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27757 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27758
27759 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27760 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27761 @end table
27762
27763 @noindent
27764 Notes:
27765
27766 @itemize @bullet
27767 @item
27768 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27769 output is described below.
27770
27771 @item
27772 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27773 finishes.
27774
27775 @item
27776 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27777 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27778 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27779 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27780 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27781 @end itemize
27782
27783 Pragmatics:
27784
27785 @itemize @bullet
27786 @item
27787 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27788
27789 @item
27790 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27791 @end itemize
27792
27793 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27794 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27795
27796 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27797 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27798 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27799 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27800 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27801 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27802
27803 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27804 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27805 @var{token}.
27806
27807 @table @code
27808 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27809 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27810
27811 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27812 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27813
27814 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27815 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27816
27817 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27818 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27819
27820 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27821 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27822
27823 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27824 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27825
27826 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27827 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27828
27829 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27830 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27831
27832 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27833 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27834
27835 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27836 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27837 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27838
27839 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27840 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27841
27842 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27843 @code{ @var{string} }
27844
27845 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27846 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27847
27848 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27849 @code{@var{c-string}}
27850
27851 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27852 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27853
27854 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27855 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27856 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27857
27858 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27859 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27860
27861 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27862 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27863
27864 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27865 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27866
27867 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27868 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27869
27870 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27871 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27872
27873 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27874 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27875 @end table
27876
27877 @noindent
27878 Notes:
27879
27880 @itemize @bullet
27881 @item
27882 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27883
27884 @item
27885 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27886 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27887 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27888 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27889 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27890 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27891 prior command.
27892
27893 @item
27894 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27895 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27896 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27897 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27898
27899 @item
27900 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27901 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27902 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27903 @samp{*}.
27904
27905 @item
27906 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27907 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27908 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27909 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27910
27911 @item
27912 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27913 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27914 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27915 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27916
27917 @item
27918 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27919 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27920 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27921
27922 @item
27923 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27924 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27925 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27926 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27927
27928 @item
27929 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27930 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27931 @var{values}.
27932
27933
27934 @end itemize
27935
27936 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27937 details about the various output records.
27938
27939 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27940 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27941 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27942
27943 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27944 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27945
27946 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27947 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27948 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27949 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27950 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27951 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27952
27953 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27954 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27955 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27956
27957 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27958 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27959 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27960 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27961
27962 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27963 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27964
27965 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27966 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27967 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27968 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27969 might change.
27970
27971 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27972 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27973 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27974 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27975
27976 @itemize @bullet
27977 @item
27978 New MI commands may be added.
27979
27980 @item
27981 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27982
27983 @item
27984 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27985 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27986
27987 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27988 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27989
27990 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27991 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27992 @end itemize
27993
27994 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27995 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27996 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27997 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27998 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27999
28000 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
28001 @c version?
28002
28003 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28004 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28005 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28006 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28007 @cindex mailing lists
28008
28009 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28010 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28011 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28012
28013 @menu
28014 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28015 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28016 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28017 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28018 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28019 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28020 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28021 @end menu
28022
28023 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28024 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28025
28026 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28027 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28028 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28029 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28030
28031 @table @code
28032 @findex ^done
28033 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28034 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28035 values.
28036
28037 @item "^running"
28038 @findex ^running
28039 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28040 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28041 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28042 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28043 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28044 which threads are resumed.
28045
28046 @item "^connected"
28047 @findex ^connected
28048 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28049
28050 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
28051 @findex ^error
28052 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
28053 error message.
28054
28055 @item "^exit"
28056 @findex ^exit
28057 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28058
28059 @end table
28060
28061 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28062 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28063
28064 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28065 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28066 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28067 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28068 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28069
28070 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28071 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28072 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28073 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28074 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28075
28076 @table @code
28077 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28078 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28079 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28080
28081 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28082 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28083 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28084 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28085
28086 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28087 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28088 internals.
28089 @end table
28090
28091 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28092 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28093
28094 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28095 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28096 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28097 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28098 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28099 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28100
28101 The following is the list of possible async records:
28102
28103 @table @code
28104
28105 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28106 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
28107 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
28108 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28109 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28110 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28111 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28112 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28113 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28114 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28115
28116 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28117 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28118 following values:
28119
28120 @table @code
28121 @item breakpoint-hit
28122 A breakpoint was reached.
28123 @item watchpoint-trigger
28124 A watchpoint was triggered.
28125 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28126 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28127 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28128 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28129 @item function-finished
28130 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28131 @item location-reached
28132 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28133 @item watchpoint-scope
28134 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28135 @item end-stepping-range
28136 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28137 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28138 @item exited-signalled
28139 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28140 @item exited
28141 The inferior exited.
28142 @item exited-normally
28143 The inferior exited normally.
28144 @item signal-received
28145 A signal was received by the inferior.
28146 @item solib-event
28147 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28148 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28149 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28150 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28151 @item fork
28152 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28153 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28154 @item vfork
28155 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28156 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28157 @item syscall-entry
28158 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28159 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28160 @item syscall-entry
28161 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28162 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28163 @item exec
28164 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28165 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28166 @end table
28167
28168 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
28169 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
28170 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28171 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28172 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28173 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28174 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28175 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28176 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28177 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28178 if such information is not available.
28179
28180 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28181 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28182 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28183 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28184 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28185 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28186 cannot be used in any way.
28187
28188 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28189 A thread group became associated with a running program,
28190 either because the program was just started or the thread group
28191 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28192 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28193 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28194
28195 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28196 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28197 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28198 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
28199 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
28200 only when the inferior exited with some code.
28201
28202 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28203 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28204 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
28205 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
28206 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
28207
28208 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
28209 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
28210 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
28211 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
28212 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
28213 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
28214 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
28215
28216 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
28217 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
28218 that thread.
28219
28220 @item =library-loaded,...
28221 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
28222 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
28223 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
28224 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
28225 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
28226 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
28227 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
28228 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
28229 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
28230 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
28231 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
28232 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
28233 thread groups.
28234
28235 @item =library-unloaded,...
28236 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
28237 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
28238 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
28239 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
28240 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
28241 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
28242 thread groups.
28243
28244 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
28245 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
28246 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
28247 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
28248 frame is @var{tpnum}.
28249
28250 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
28251 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
28252 initial value @var{initial}.
28253
28254 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
28255 @itemx =tsv-deleted
28256 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
28257 trace state variables are deleted.
28258
28259 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
28260 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
28261 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
28262 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
28263 value of trace state variable is known.
28264
28265 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
28266 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
28267 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
28268 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
28269 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
28270 user.
28271
28272 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
28273 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
28274 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
28275
28276 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
28277 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
28278
28279 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
28280 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
28281 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
28282 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
28283 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
28284
28285 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
28286 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
28287 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
28288 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
28289 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
28290 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
28291
28292 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
28293 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
28294 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
28295 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
28296 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
28297 executable code.
28298 @end table
28299
28300 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
28301 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
28302
28303 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
28304 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
28305 following fields:
28306
28307 @table @code
28308 @item number
28309 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
28310 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
28311 @samp{1.2}.
28312
28313 @item type
28314 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
28315 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
28316
28317 @item catch-type
28318 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
28319 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
28320
28321 @item disp
28322 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
28323 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
28324 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
28325
28326 @item enabled
28327 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
28328 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28329 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28330
28331 @item addr
28332 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
28333 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
28334 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
28335 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
28336 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
28337
28338 @item func
28339 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
28340 If not known, this field is not present.
28341
28342 @item filename
28343 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
28344 If not known, this field is not present.
28345
28346 @item fullname
28347 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
28348 known. If not known, this field is not present.
28349
28350 @item line
28351 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
28352 If not known, this field is not present.
28353
28354 @item at
28355 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
28356 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
28357 by a symbol name.
28358
28359 @item pending
28360 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
28361 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
28362
28363 @item evaluated-by
28364 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
28365 @samp{target}.
28366
28367 @item thread
28368 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
28369 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
28370
28371 @item task
28372 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
28373 field will hold the task identifier.
28374
28375 @item cond
28376 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
28377
28378 @item ignore
28379 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
28380
28381 @item enable
28382 The enable count of the breakpoint.
28383
28384 @item traceframe-usage
28385 FIXME.
28386
28387 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
28388 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
28389
28390 @item mask
28391 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
28392
28393 @item pass
28394 A tracepoint's pass count.
28395
28396 @item original-location
28397 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
28398 This field is optional.
28399
28400 @item times
28401 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
28402
28403 @item installed
28404 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
28405 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
28406 is not.
28407
28408 @item what
28409 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
28410
28411 @end table
28412
28413 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
28414 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
28415
28416 @smallexample
28417 -> -break-insert main
28418 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28419 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28420 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28421 times="0"@}
28422 <- (gdb)
28423 @end smallexample
28424
28425 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
28426 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
28427
28428 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
28429 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
28430 fields:
28431
28432 @table @code
28433 @item level
28434 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
28435 zero. This field is always present.
28436
28437 @item func
28438 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
28439 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
28440
28441 @item addr
28442 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
28443
28444 @item file
28445 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
28446 address. This field may be absent.
28447
28448 @item line
28449 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
28450 may be absent.
28451
28452 @item from
28453 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
28454 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
28455
28456 @end table
28457
28458 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
28459 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
28460
28461 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
28462 uses a tuple with the following fields:
28463
28464 @table @code
28465 @item id
28466 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
28467 always present.
28468
28469 @item target-id
28470 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
28471
28472 @item details
28473 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
28474 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28475 frontend. This field is optional.
28476
28477 @item state
28478 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
28479 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
28480
28481 @item core
28482 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28483 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28484 @end table
28485
28486 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28487 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28488
28489 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28490 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28491 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28492 the @code{exception-name} field.
28493
28494 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28495 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28496 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28497 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28498
28499 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28500 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28501 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28502 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28503
28504 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28505 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28506
28507 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28508
28509 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28510 information of the breakpoint.
28511
28512 @smallexample
28513 -> -break-insert main
28514 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28515 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28516 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28517 times="0"@}
28518 <- (gdb)
28519 @end smallexample
28520
28521 @subheading Program Execution
28522
28523 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
28524 reason that execution stopped.
28525
28526 @smallexample
28527 -> -exec-run
28528 <- ^running
28529 <- (gdb)
28530 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28531 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
28532 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
28533 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
28534 <- (gdb)
28535 -> -exec-continue
28536 <- ^running
28537 <- (gdb)
28538 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28539 <- (gdb)
28540 @end smallexample
28541
28542 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
28543
28544 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
28545
28546 @smallexample
28547 -> (gdb)
28548 <- -gdb-exit
28549 <- ^exit
28550 @end smallexample
28551
28552 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
28553 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
28554 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
28555 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
28556 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
28557 fails to exit in reasonable time.
28558
28559 @subheading A Bad Command
28560
28561 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
28562
28563 @smallexample
28564 -> -rubbish
28565 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
28566 <- (gdb)
28567 @end smallexample
28568
28569
28570 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28571 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
28572 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
28573
28574 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
28575 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
28576
28577 @subheading Motivation
28578
28579 The motivation for this collection of commands.
28580
28581 @subheading Introduction
28582
28583 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
28584
28585 @subheading Commands
28586
28587 For each command in the block, the following is described:
28588
28589 @subsubheading Synopsis
28590
28591 @smallexample
28592 -command @var{args}@dots{}
28593 @end smallexample
28594
28595 @subsubheading Result
28596
28597 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28598
28599 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
28600
28601 @subsubheading Example
28602
28603 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
28604 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
28605
28606
28607 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28608 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
28609 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
28610
28611 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
28612 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
28613 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28614 breakpoints.
28615
28616 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
28617 @findex -break-after
28618
28619 @subsubheading Synopsis
28620
28621 @smallexample
28622 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
28623 @end smallexample
28624
28625 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
28626 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
28627 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
28628 @samp{-break-list} command below.
28629
28630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28631
28632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
28633
28634 @subsubheading Example
28635
28636 @smallexample
28637 (gdb)
28638 -break-insert main
28639 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28640 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28641 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28642 times="0"@}
28643 (gdb)
28644 -break-after 1 3
28645 ~
28646 ^done
28647 (gdb)
28648 -break-list
28649 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28650 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28651 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28652 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28653 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28654 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28655 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28656 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28657 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28658 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28659 (gdb)
28660 @end smallexample
28661
28662 @ignore
28663 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
28664 @findex -break-catch
28665 @end ignore
28666
28667 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
28668 @findex -break-commands
28669
28670 @subsubheading Synopsis
28671
28672 @smallexample
28673 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
28674 @end smallexample
28675
28676 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
28677 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
28678 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
28679 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
28680 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
28681 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
28682
28683 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28684
28685 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
28686
28687 @subsubheading Example
28688
28689 @smallexample
28690 (gdb)
28691 -break-insert main
28692 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28693 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28694 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28695 times="0"@}
28696 (gdb)
28697 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
28698 ^done
28699 (gdb)
28700 @end smallexample
28701
28702 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
28703 @findex -break-condition
28704
28705 @subsubheading Synopsis
28706
28707 @smallexample
28708 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
28709 @end smallexample
28710
28711 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
28712 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
28713 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
28714 command below).
28715
28716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28717
28718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
28719
28720 @subsubheading Example
28721
28722 @smallexample
28723 (gdb)
28724 -break-condition 1 1
28725 ^done
28726 (gdb)
28727 -break-list
28728 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28729 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28730 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28731 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28732 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28733 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28734 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28735 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28736 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28737 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28738 (gdb)
28739 @end smallexample
28740
28741 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
28742 @findex -break-delete
28743
28744 @subsubheading Synopsis
28745
28746 @smallexample
28747 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28748 @end smallexample
28749
28750 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
28751 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
28752
28753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28754
28755 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
28756
28757 @subsubheading Example
28758
28759 @smallexample
28760 (gdb)
28761 -break-delete 1
28762 ^done
28763 (gdb)
28764 -break-list
28765 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28766 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28767 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28768 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28769 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28770 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28771 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28772 body=[]@}
28773 (gdb)
28774 @end smallexample
28775
28776 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28777 @findex -break-disable
28778
28779 @subsubheading Synopsis
28780
28781 @smallexample
28782 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28783 @end smallexample
28784
28785 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28786 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28787
28788 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28789
28790 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28791
28792 @subsubheading Example
28793
28794 @smallexample
28795 (gdb)
28796 -break-disable 2
28797 ^done
28798 (gdb)
28799 -break-list
28800 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28801 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28802 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28803 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28804 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28805 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28806 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28807 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28808 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28809 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28810 (gdb)
28811 @end smallexample
28812
28813 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28814 @findex -break-enable
28815
28816 @subsubheading Synopsis
28817
28818 @smallexample
28819 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28820 @end smallexample
28821
28822 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28823
28824 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28825
28826 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28827
28828 @subsubheading Example
28829
28830 @smallexample
28831 (gdb)
28832 -break-enable 2
28833 ^done
28834 (gdb)
28835 -break-list
28836 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28837 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28838 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28839 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28840 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28841 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28842 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28843 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28844 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28845 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28846 (gdb)
28847 @end smallexample
28848
28849 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28850 @findex -break-info
28851
28852 @subsubheading Synopsis
28853
28854 @smallexample
28855 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28856 @end smallexample
28857
28858 @c REDUNDANT???
28859 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28860
28861 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28862 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28863 table.
28864
28865 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28866
28867 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28868
28869 @subsubheading Example
28870 N.A.
28871
28872 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28873 @findex -break-insert
28874
28875 @subsubheading Synopsis
28876
28877 @smallexample
28878 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28879 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28880 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28881 @end smallexample
28882
28883 @noindent
28884 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28885
28886 @itemize @bullet
28887 @item function
28888 @c @item +offset
28889 @c @item -offset
28890 @c @item linenum
28891 @item filename:linenum
28892 @item filename:function
28893 @item *address
28894 @end itemize
28895
28896 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28897
28898 @table @samp
28899 @item -t
28900 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28901 @item -h
28902 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28903 @item -f
28904 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28905 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28906 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28907 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28908 cannot be parsed.
28909 @item -d
28910 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28911 @item -a
28912 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28913 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28914 @item -c @var{condition}
28915 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28916 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28917 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28918 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28919 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28920 @end table
28921
28922 @subsubheading Result
28923
28924 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28925 resulting breakpoint.
28926
28927 Note: this format is open to change.
28928 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28929
28930 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28931
28932 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28933 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28934
28935 @subsubheading Example
28936
28937 @smallexample
28938 (gdb)
28939 -break-insert main
28940 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28941 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28942 times="0"@}
28943 (gdb)
28944 -break-insert -t foo
28945 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28946 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28947 times="0"@}
28948 (gdb)
28949 -break-list
28950 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28951 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28952 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28953 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28954 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28955 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28956 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28957 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28958 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28959 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28960 times="0"@},
28961 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28962 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28963 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28964 times="0"@}]@}
28965 (gdb)
28966 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28967 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28968 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28969 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28970 @c times="0"@}
28971 @c (gdb)
28972 @end smallexample
28973
28974 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28975 @findex -break-list
28976
28977 @subsubheading Synopsis
28978
28979 @smallexample
28980 -break-list
28981 @end smallexample
28982
28983 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28984
28985 @table @samp
28986 @item Number
28987 number of the breakpoint
28988 @item Type
28989 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28990 @item Disposition
28991 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28992 or @samp{nokeep}
28993 @item Enabled
28994 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28995 @item Address
28996 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28997 @item What
28998 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28999 name, line number
29000 @item Thread-groups
29001 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29002 @item Times
29003 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29004 @end table
29005
29006 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29007 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29008
29009 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29010
29011 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29012
29013 @subsubheading Example
29014
29015 @smallexample
29016 (gdb)
29017 -break-list
29018 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29019 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29020 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29021 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29022 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29023 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29024 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29025 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29026 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29027 times="0"@},
29028 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29029 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29030 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29031 (gdb)
29032 @end smallexample
29033
29034 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29035
29036 @smallexample
29037 (gdb)
29038 -break-list
29039 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29040 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29041 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29042 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29043 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29044 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29045 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29046 body=[]@}
29047 (gdb)
29048 @end smallexample
29049
29050 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29051 @findex -break-passcount
29052
29053 @subsubheading Synopsis
29054
29055 @smallexample
29056 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29057 @end smallexample
29058
29059 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29060 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29061 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29062 command @samp{passcount}.
29063
29064 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29065 @findex -break-watch
29066
29067 @subsubheading Synopsis
29068
29069 @smallexample
29070 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29071 @end smallexample
29072
29073 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
29074 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
29075 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
29076 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
29077 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
29078 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
29079 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
29080 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
29081
29082 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
29083 breakpoints inserted.
29084
29085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29086
29087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
29088 @samp{rwatch}.
29089
29090 @subsubheading Example
29091
29092 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
29093
29094 @smallexample
29095 (gdb)
29096 -break-watch x
29097 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
29098 (gdb)
29099 -exec-continue
29100 ^running
29101 (gdb)
29102 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
29103 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
29104 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29105 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
29106 (gdb)
29107 @end smallexample
29108
29109 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
29110 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
29111 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
29112
29113 @smallexample
29114 (gdb)
29115 -break-watch C
29116 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
29117 (gdb)
29118 -exec-continue
29119 ^running
29120 (gdb)
29121 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
29122 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29123 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29124 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29125 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29126 (gdb)
29127 -exec-continue
29128 ^running
29129 (gdb)
29130 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
29131 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29132 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29133 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29134 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29135 (gdb)
29136 @end smallexample
29137
29138 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
29139 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
29140 deleted.
29141
29142 @smallexample
29143 (gdb)
29144 -break-watch C
29145 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
29146 (gdb)
29147 -break-list
29148 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29149 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29150 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29151 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29152 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29153 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29154 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29155 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29156 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29157 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29158 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29159 times="1"@},
29160 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29161 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29162 (gdb)
29163 -exec-continue
29164 ^running
29165 (gdb)
29166 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
29167 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29168 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29169 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29170 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29171 (gdb)
29172 -break-list
29173 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29174 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29175 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29176 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29177 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29178 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29179 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29180 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29181 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29182 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29183 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29184 times="1"@},
29185 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29186 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
29187 (gdb)
29188 -exec-continue
29189 ^running
29190 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
29191 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29192 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29193 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29194 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29195 (gdb)
29196 -break-list
29197 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29198 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29199 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29200 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29201 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29202 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29203 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29204 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29205 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29206 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29207 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
29208 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
29209 (gdb)
29210 @end smallexample
29211
29212
29213 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29214 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29215 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
29216
29217 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29218 catchpoints.
29219
29220 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
29221 @findex -catch-load
29222
29223 @subsubheading Synopsis
29224
29225 @smallexample
29226 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29227 @end smallexample
29228
29229 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
29230 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29231 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
29232 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29233 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
29234
29235
29236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29237
29238 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
29239
29240 @subsubheading Example
29241
29242 @smallexample
29243 -catch-load -t foo.so
29244 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29245 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
29246 (gdb)
29247 @end smallexample
29248
29249
29250 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
29251 @findex -catch-unload
29252
29253 @subsubheading Synopsis
29254
29255 @smallexample
29256 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29257 @end smallexample
29258
29259 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
29260 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29261 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
29262 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29263 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
29264
29265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29266
29267 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
29268
29269 @subsubheading Example
29270
29271 @smallexample
29272 -catch-unload -d bar.so
29273 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29274 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
29275 (gdb)
29276 @end smallexample
29277
29278
29279 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29280 @node GDB/MI Program Context
29281 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
29282
29283 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
29284 @findex -exec-arguments
29285
29286
29287 @subsubheading Synopsis
29288
29289 @smallexample
29290 -exec-arguments @var{args}
29291 @end smallexample
29292
29293 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
29294 @samp{-exec-run}.
29295
29296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29297
29298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
29299
29300 @subsubheading Example
29301
29302 @smallexample
29303 (gdb)
29304 -exec-arguments -v word
29305 ^done
29306 (gdb)
29307 @end smallexample
29308
29309
29310 @ignore
29311 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
29312 @findex -exec-show-arguments
29313
29314 @subsubheading Synopsis
29315
29316 @smallexample
29317 -exec-show-arguments
29318 @end smallexample
29319
29320 Print the arguments of the program.
29321
29322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29323
29324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
29325
29326 @subsubheading Example
29327 N.A.
29328 @end ignore
29329
29330
29331 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
29332 @findex -environment-cd
29333
29334 @subsubheading Synopsis
29335
29336 @smallexample
29337 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
29338 @end smallexample
29339
29340 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
29341
29342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29343
29344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
29345
29346 @subsubheading Example
29347
29348 @smallexample
29349 (gdb)
29350 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29351 ^done
29352 (gdb)
29353 @end smallexample
29354
29355
29356 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
29357 @findex -environment-directory
29358
29359 @subsubheading Synopsis
29360
29361 @smallexample
29362 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29363 @end smallexample
29364
29365 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
29366 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
29367 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
29368 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29369 occurs as normal.
29370 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29371 multiple directories in a single command
29372 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29373 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29374 If blanks are needed as
29375 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29376 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29377 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29378 character must not be used
29379 in any directory name.
29380 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
29381
29382 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29383
29384 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
29385
29386 @subsubheading Example
29387
29388 @smallexample
29389 (gdb)
29390 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29391 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29392 (gdb)
29393 -environment-directory ""
29394 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29395 (gdb)
29396 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
29397 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
29398 (gdb)
29399 -environment-directory -r
29400 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
29401 (gdb)
29402 @end smallexample
29403
29404
29405 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
29406 @findex -environment-path
29407
29408 @subsubheading Synopsis
29409
29410 @smallexample
29411 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29412 @end smallexample
29413
29414 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
29415 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
29416 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
29417 supplied in addition to the
29418 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29419 occurs as normal.
29420 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29421 multiple directories in a single command
29422 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29423 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29424 If blanks are needed as
29425 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29426 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29427 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29428 character must not be used
29429 in any directory name.
29430 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
29431
29432
29433 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29434
29435 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
29436
29437 @subsubheading Example
29438
29439 @smallexample
29440 (gdb)
29441 -environment-path
29442 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
29443 (gdb)
29444 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
29445 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
29446 (gdb)
29447 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
29448 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
29449 (gdb)
29450 @end smallexample
29451
29452
29453 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
29454 @findex -environment-pwd
29455
29456 @subsubheading Synopsis
29457
29458 @smallexample
29459 -environment-pwd
29460 @end smallexample
29461
29462 Show the current working directory.
29463
29464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29465
29466 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
29467
29468 @subsubheading Example
29469
29470 @smallexample
29471 (gdb)
29472 -environment-pwd
29473 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
29474 (gdb)
29475 @end smallexample
29476
29477 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29478 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
29479 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
29480
29481
29482 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
29483 @findex -thread-info
29484
29485 @subsubheading Synopsis
29486
29487 @smallexample
29488 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
29489 @end smallexample
29490
29491 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
29492 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
29493 threads. When printing information about all threads,
29494 also reports the current thread.
29495
29496 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29497
29498 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
29499 about all threads.
29500
29501 @subsubheading Result
29502
29503 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
29504 defined for a given thread:
29505
29506 @table @samp
29507 @item current
29508 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29509
29510 @item id
29511 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
29512
29513 @item target-id
29514 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
29515
29516 @item details
29517 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
29518 field is optional.
29519
29520 @item name
29521 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
29522 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
29523 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
29524 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
29525 field is omitted.
29526
29527 @item frame
29528 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
29529
29530 @item state
29531 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
29532 values:
29533
29534 @table @code
29535 @item stopped
29536 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
29537 threads.
29538
29539 @item running
29540 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
29541 threads.
29542
29543 @end table
29544
29545 @item core
29546 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
29547 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
29548
29549 @end table
29550
29551 @subsubheading Example
29552
29553 @smallexample
29554 -thread-info
29555 ^done,threads=[
29556 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29557 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
29558 args=[]@},state="running"@},
29559 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29560 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
29561 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29562 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
29563 state="running"@}],
29564 current-thread-id="1"
29565 (gdb)
29566 @end smallexample
29567
29568 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
29569 @findex -thread-list-ids
29570
29571 @subsubheading Synopsis
29572
29573 @smallexample
29574 -thread-list-ids
29575 @end smallexample
29576
29577 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
29578 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
29579
29580 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29581 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29582
29583 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29584
29585 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29586
29587 @subsubheading Example
29588
29589 @smallexample
29590 (gdb)
29591 -thread-list-ids
29592 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29593 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29594 (gdb)
29595 @end smallexample
29596
29597
29598 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29599 @findex -thread-select
29600
29601 @subsubheading Synopsis
29602
29603 @smallexample
29604 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
29605 @end smallexample
29606
29607 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
29608 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
29609
29610 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29611 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
29612
29613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29614
29615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29616
29617 @subsubheading Example
29618
29619 @smallexample
29620 (gdb)
29621 -exec-next
29622 ^running
29623 (gdb)
29624 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29625 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29626 (gdb)
29627 -thread-list-ids
29628 ^done,
29629 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29630 number-of-threads="3"
29631 (gdb)
29632 -thread-select 3
29633 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
29634 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29635 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29636 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
29637 (gdb)
29638 @end smallexample
29639
29640 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29641 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29642 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29643
29644 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29645 @findex -ada-task-info
29646
29647 @subsubheading Synopsis
29648
29649 @smallexample
29650 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29651 @end smallexample
29652
29653 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29654 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29655
29656 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29657
29658 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29659 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29660
29661 @subsubheading Result
29662
29663 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29664 defined for each Ada task:
29665
29666 @table @samp
29667 @item current
29668 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29669
29670 @item id
29671 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29672
29673 @item task-id
29674 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29675
29676 @item thread-id
29677 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
29678
29679 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29680 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29681 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29682
29683 @item parent-id
29684 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29685 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29686
29687 @item priority
29688 The base priority of the task.
29689
29690 @item state
29691 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29692 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29693
29694 @item name
29695 The name of the task.
29696
29697 @end table
29698
29699 @subsubheading Example
29700
29701 @smallexample
29702 -ada-task-info
29703 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29704 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29705 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29706 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29707 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29708 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29709 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29710 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29711 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29712 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29713 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29714 (gdb)
29715 @end smallexample
29716
29717 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29718 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
29719 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29720
29721 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29722 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29723 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29724 other cases.
29725
29726 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29727 @findex -exec-continue
29728
29729 @subsubheading Synopsis
29730
29731 @smallexample
29732 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29733 @end smallexample
29734
29735 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29736 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29737 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29738 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29739 @itemize @bullet
29740 @item
29741 breakpoints or watchpoints
29742 @item
29743 signals or exceptions
29744 @item
29745 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29746 @item
29747 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29748 @end itemize
29749 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29750 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29751 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29752 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29753 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29754 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29755
29756 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29757
29758 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29759
29760 @subsubheading Example
29761
29762 @smallexample
29763 -exec-continue
29764 ^running
29765 (gdb)
29766 @@Hello world
29767 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29768 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29769 line="13"@}
29770 (gdb)
29771 @end smallexample
29772
29773
29774 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29775 @findex -exec-finish
29776
29777 @subsubheading Synopsis
29778
29779 @smallexample
29780 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29781 @end smallexample
29782
29783 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29784 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29785 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29786 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29787 function was called.
29788
29789 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29790
29791 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29792
29793 @subsubheading Example
29794
29795 Function returning @code{void}.
29796
29797 @smallexample
29798 -exec-finish
29799 ^running
29800 (gdb)
29801 @@hello from foo
29802 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29803 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
29804 (gdb)
29805 @end smallexample
29806
29807 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29808 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29809 value itself.
29810
29811 @smallexample
29812 -exec-finish
29813 ^running
29814 (gdb)
29815 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29816 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29817 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29818 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29819 (gdb)
29820 @end smallexample
29821
29822
29823 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29824 @findex -exec-interrupt
29825
29826 @subsubheading Synopsis
29827
29828 @smallexample
29829 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29830 @end smallexample
29831
29832 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29833 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29834 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29835 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29836 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29837
29838 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29839 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29840 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29841 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29842
29843 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29844 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29845 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29846 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29847
29848 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29849
29850 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29851
29852 @subsubheading Example
29853
29854 @smallexample
29855 (gdb)
29856 111-exec-continue
29857 111^running
29858
29859 (gdb)
29860 222-exec-interrupt
29861 222^done
29862 (gdb)
29863 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29864 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29865 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29866 (gdb)
29867
29868 (gdb)
29869 -exec-interrupt
29870 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29871 (gdb)
29872 @end smallexample
29873
29874 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29875 @findex -exec-jump
29876
29877 @subsubheading Synopsis
29878
29879 @smallexample
29880 -exec-jump @var{location}
29881 @end smallexample
29882
29883 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29884 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29885 different forms of @var{location}.
29886
29887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29888
29889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29890
29891 @subsubheading Example
29892
29893 @smallexample
29894 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29895 *running,thread-id="all"
29896 ^running
29897 @end smallexample
29898
29899
29900 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29901 @findex -exec-next
29902
29903 @subsubheading Synopsis
29904
29905 @smallexample
29906 -exec-next [--reverse]
29907 @end smallexample
29908
29909 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29910 of the next source line is reached.
29911
29912 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29913 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29914 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29915 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29916 source line where the function was called.
29917
29918
29919 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29920
29921 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29922
29923 @subsubheading Example
29924
29925 @smallexample
29926 -exec-next
29927 ^running
29928 (gdb)
29929 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29930 (gdb)
29931 @end smallexample
29932
29933
29934 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29935 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29936
29937 @subsubheading Synopsis
29938
29939 @smallexample
29940 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29941 @end smallexample
29942
29943 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29944 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29945 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29946 printed as well.
29947
29948 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29949 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29950 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29951 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29952 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29953
29954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29955
29956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29957
29958 @subsubheading Example
29959
29960 @smallexample
29961 (gdb)
29962 -exec-next-instruction
29963 ^running
29964
29965 (gdb)
29966 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29967 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29968 (gdb)
29969 @end smallexample
29970
29971
29972 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29973 @findex -exec-return
29974
29975 @subsubheading Synopsis
29976
29977 @smallexample
29978 -exec-return
29979 @end smallexample
29980
29981 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29982 Displays the new current frame.
29983
29984 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29985
29986 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29987
29988 @subsubheading Example
29989
29990 @smallexample
29991 (gdb)
29992 200-break-insert callee4
29993 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29994 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29995 (gdb)
29996 000-exec-run
29997 000^running
29998 (gdb)
29999 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30000 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30001 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30002 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30003 (gdb)
30004 205-break-delete
30005 205^done
30006 (gdb)
30007 111-exec-return
30008 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
30009 args=[@{name="strarg",
30010 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30011 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30012 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30013 (gdb)
30014 @end smallexample
30015
30016
30017 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
30018 @findex -exec-run
30019
30020 @subsubheading Synopsis
30021
30022 @smallexample
30023 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
30024 @end smallexample
30025
30026 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30027 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30028 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30029 the program has exited exceptionally.
30030
30031 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30032 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30033 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30034 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30035
30036 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30037
30038 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30039
30040 @subsubheading Examples
30041
30042 @smallexample
30043 (gdb)
30044 -break-insert main
30045 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30046 (gdb)
30047 -exec-run
30048 ^running
30049 (gdb)
30050 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30051 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30052 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30053 (gdb)
30054 @end smallexample
30055
30056 @noindent
30057 Program exited normally:
30058
30059 @smallexample
30060 (gdb)
30061 -exec-run
30062 ^running
30063 (gdb)
30064 x = 55
30065 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30066 (gdb)
30067 @end smallexample
30068
30069 @noindent
30070 Program exited exceptionally:
30071
30072 @smallexample
30073 (gdb)
30074 -exec-run
30075 ^running
30076 (gdb)
30077 x = 55
30078 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
30079 (gdb)
30080 @end smallexample
30081
30082 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
30083 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
30084
30085 @smallexample
30086 (gdb)
30087 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
30088 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
30089 @end smallexample
30090
30091
30092 @c @subheading -exec-signal
30093
30094
30095 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
30096 @findex -exec-step
30097
30098 @subsubheading Synopsis
30099
30100 @smallexample
30101 -exec-step [--reverse]
30102 @end smallexample
30103
30104 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30105 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
30106 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
30107 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
30108 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
30109 previously executed source line.
30110
30111 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30112
30113 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
30114
30115 @subsubheading Example
30116
30117 Stepping into a function:
30118
30119 @smallexample
30120 -exec-step
30121 ^running
30122 (gdb)
30123 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30124 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
30125 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
30126 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
30127 (gdb)
30128 @end smallexample
30129
30130 Regular stepping:
30131
30132 @smallexample
30133 -exec-step
30134 ^running
30135 (gdb)
30136 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
30137 (gdb)
30138 @end smallexample
30139
30140
30141 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
30142 @findex -exec-step-instruction
30143
30144 @subsubheading Synopsis
30145
30146 @smallexample
30147 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
30148 @end smallexample
30149
30150 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
30151 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
30152 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
30153 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
30154 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
30155 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
30156 as well.
30157
30158 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30159
30160 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
30161
30162 @subsubheading Example
30163
30164 @smallexample
30165 (gdb)
30166 -exec-step-instruction
30167 ^running
30168
30169 (gdb)
30170 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30171 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30172 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30173 (gdb)
30174 -exec-step-instruction
30175 ^running
30176
30177 (gdb)
30178 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30179 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30180 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30181 (gdb)
30182 @end smallexample
30183
30184
30185 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
30186 @findex -exec-until
30187
30188 @subsubheading Synopsis
30189
30190 @smallexample
30191 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
30192 @end smallexample
30193
30194 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
30195 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
30196 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
30197 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
30198
30199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30200
30201 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
30202
30203 @subsubheading Example
30204
30205 @smallexample
30206 (gdb)
30207 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
30208 ^running
30209 (gdb)
30210 x = 55
30211 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30212 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
30213 (gdb)
30214 @end smallexample
30215
30216 @ignore
30217 @subheading -file-clear
30218 Is this going away????
30219 @end ignore
30220
30221 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30222 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
30223 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
30224
30225
30226 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
30227 @findex -stack-info-frame
30228
30229 @subsubheading Synopsis
30230
30231 @smallexample
30232 -stack-info-frame
30233 @end smallexample
30234
30235 Get info on the selected frame.
30236
30237 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30238
30239 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
30240 (without arguments).
30241
30242 @subsubheading Example
30243
30244 @smallexample
30245 (gdb)
30246 -stack-info-frame
30247 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30248 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30249 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
30250 (gdb)
30251 @end smallexample
30252
30253 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
30254 @findex -stack-info-depth
30255
30256 @subsubheading Synopsis
30257
30258 @smallexample
30259 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
30260 @end smallexample
30261
30262 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
30263 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
30264
30265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30266
30267 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30268
30269 @subsubheading Example
30270
30271 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
30272
30273 @smallexample
30274 (gdb)
30275 -stack-info-depth
30276 ^done,depth="12"
30277 (gdb)
30278 -stack-info-depth 4
30279 ^done,depth="4"
30280 (gdb)
30281 -stack-info-depth 12
30282 ^done,depth="12"
30283 (gdb)
30284 -stack-info-depth 11
30285 ^done,depth="11"
30286 (gdb)
30287 -stack-info-depth 13
30288 ^done,depth="12"
30289 (gdb)
30290 @end smallexample
30291
30292 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
30293 @findex -stack-list-arguments
30294
30295 @subsubheading Synopsis
30296
30297 @smallexample
30298 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
30299 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30300 @end smallexample
30301
30302 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
30303 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
30304 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
30305 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
30306 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
30307 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
30308 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
30309 which case only existing frames will be returned.
30310
30311 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30312 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30313 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30314 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30315 structures and unions.
30316
30317 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
30318 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30319
30320 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30321
30322 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
30323 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
30324 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
30325
30326 @subsubheading Example
30327
30328 @smallexample
30329 (gdb)
30330 -stack-list-frames
30331 ^done,
30332 stack=[
30333 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30334 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30335 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
30336 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30337 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30338 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
30339 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
30340 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30341 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
30342 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
30343 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30344 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
30345 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
30346 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30347 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
30348 (gdb)
30349 -stack-list-arguments 0
30350 ^done,
30351 stack-args=[
30352 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30353 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
30354 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
30355 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
30356 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30357 (gdb)
30358 -stack-list-arguments 1
30359 ^done,
30360 stack-args=[
30361 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30362 frame=@{level="1",
30363 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30364 frame=@{level="2",args=[
30365 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30366 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30367 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
30368 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30369 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
30370 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
30371 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30372 (gdb)
30373 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
30374 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
30375 (gdb)
30376 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
30377 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
30378 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30379 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
30380 (gdb)
30381 @end smallexample
30382
30383 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
30384
30385
30386 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
30387 @findex -stack-list-frames
30388
30389 @subsubheading Synopsis
30390
30391 @smallexample
30392 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30393 @end smallexample
30394
30395 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
30396 following info:
30397
30398 @table @samp
30399 @item @var{level}
30400 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
30401 @item @var{addr}
30402 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
30403 @item @var{func}
30404 Function name.
30405 @item @var{file}
30406 File name of the source file where the function lives.
30407 @item @var{fullname}
30408 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
30409 @item @var{line}
30410 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
30411 @item @var{from}
30412 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
30413 if the frame's function is not known.
30414 @end table
30415
30416 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
30417 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
30418 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
30419 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
30420 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
30421 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
30422 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
30423
30424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30425
30426 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
30427
30428 @subsubheading Example
30429
30430 Full stack backtrace:
30431
30432 @smallexample
30433 (gdb)
30434 -stack-list-frames
30435 ^done,stack=
30436 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
30437 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
30438 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30439 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30440 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30441 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30442 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30443 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30444 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30445 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30446 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30447 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30448 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30449 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30450 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30451 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30452 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30453 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30454 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30455 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30456 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30457 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30458 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
30459 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
30460 (gdb)
30461 @end smallexample
30462
30463 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
30464
30465 @smallexample
30466 (gdb)
30467 -stack-list-frames 3 5
30468 ^done,stack=
30469 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30470 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30471 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30472 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30473 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30474 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30475 (gdb)
30476 @end smallexample
30477
30478 Show a single frame:
30479
30480 @smallexample
30481 (gdb)
30482 -stack-list-frames 3 3
30483 ^done,stack=
30484 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30485 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30486 (gdb)
30487 @end smallexample
30488
30489
30490 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
30491 @findex -stack-list-locals
30492
30493 @subsubheading Synopsis
30494
30495 @smallexample
30496 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
30497 @end smallexample
30498
30499 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
30500 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30501 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30502 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30503 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30504 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
30505 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
30506 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
30507 more detail.
30508
30509 This command is deprecated in favor of the
30510 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30511
30512 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30513
30514 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
30515
30516 @subsubheading Example
30517
30518 @smallexample
30519 (gdb)
30520 -stack-list-locals 0
30521 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
30522 (gdb)
30523 -stack-list-locals --all-values
30524 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
30525 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
30526 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
30527 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
30528 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
30529 (gdb)
30530 @end smallexample
30531
30532 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
30533 @findex -stack-list-variables
30534
30535 @subsubheading Synopsis
30536
30537 @smallexample
30538 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
30539 @end smallexample
30540
30541 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30542 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30543 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30544 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30545 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30546 structures and unions.
30547
30548 @subsubheading Example
30549
30550 @smallexample
30551 (gdb)
30552 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30553 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30554 (gdb)
30555 @end smallexample
30556
30557
30558 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30559 @findex -stack-select-frame
30560
30561 @subsubheading Synopsis
30562
30563 @smallexample
30564 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30565 @end smallexample
30566
30567 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30568 the stack.
30569
30570 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30571 option to every command.
30572
30573 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30574
30575 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30576 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30577
30578 @subsubheading Example
30579
30580 @smallexample
30581 (gdb)
30582 -stack-select-frame 2
30583 ^done
30584 (gdb)
30585 @end smallexample
30586
30587 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30588 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30589 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30590
30591 @ignore
30592
30593 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30594
30595 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30596 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30597 used by @code{Insight}.
30598
30599 The two main reasons for that are:
30600
30601 @enumerate 1
30602 @item
30603 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30604
30605 @item
30606 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30607 now).
30608 @end enumerate
30609
30610 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30611 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30612 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30613 hints about their use.
30614
30615 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30616 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30617 least, the following operations:
30618
30619 @itemize @bullet
30620 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30621 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30622 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30623 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30624 @end itemize
30625
30626 @end ignore
30627
30628 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30629
30630 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30631
30632 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30633 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30634 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30635 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30636 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30637 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30638 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30639 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30640 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30641 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30642 object, or to change display format.
30643
30644 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30645 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30646 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30647 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30648 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30649 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30650 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30651 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30652 child will be created.
30653
30654 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30655 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30656 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30657 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30658 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30659
30660 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30661 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30662 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30663 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30664 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30665 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30666 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30667 variables that frontend has created.
30668
30669 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30670 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30671 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30672 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30673 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30674 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30675 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30676 implicitly updated.
30677
30678 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30679 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30680 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30681 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30682 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30683 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30684 frame. Consider this example:
30685
30686 @smallexample
30687 void do_work(...)
30688 @{
30689 struct work_state state;
30690
30691 if (...)
30692 do_work(...);
30693 @}
30694 @end smallexample
30695
30696 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30697 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30698 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30699 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30700 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30701
30702 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30703 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30704 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30705 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30706 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30707 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30708
30709 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30710 access this functionality:
30711
30712 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30713 @item @strong{Operation}
30714 @tab @strong{Description}
30715
30716 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30717 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30718 @item @code{-var-create}
30719 @tab create a variable object
30720 @item @code{-var-delete}
30721 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30722 @item @code{-var-set-format}
30723 @tab set the display format of this variable
30724 @item @code{-var-show-format}
30725 @tab show the display format of this variable
30726 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30727 @tab tells how many children this object has
30728 @item @code{-var-list-children}
30729 @tab return a list of the object's children
30730 @item @code{-var-info-type}
30731 @tab show the type of this variable object
30732 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
30733 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30734 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30735 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30736 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30737 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30738 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30739 @tab get the value of this variable
30740 @item @code{-var-assign}
30741 @tab set the value of this variable
30742 @item @code{-var-update}
30743 @tab update the variable and its children
30744 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30745 @tab set frozeness attribute
30746 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30747 @tab set range of children to display on update
30748 @end multitable
30749
30750 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30751 how it can be used.
30752
30753 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30754
30755 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30756 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
30757
30758 @smallexample
30759 -enable-pretty-printing
30760 @end smallexample
30761
30762 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30763 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30764 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30765 request that this functionality be enabled.
30766
30767 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30768
30769 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30770 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30771
30772 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30773 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30774
30775 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30776 @findex -var-create
30777
30778 @subsubheading Synopsis
30779
30780 @smallexample
30781 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30782 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30783 @end smallexample
30784
30785 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30786 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30787 register.
30788
30789 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30790 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30791 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30792 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30793 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30794
30795 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30796 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30797 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30798 object must be created.
30799
30800 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30801 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30802
30803 @itemize @bullet
30804 @item
30805 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30806
30807 @item
30808 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30809
30810 @item
30811 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30812 @end itemize
30813
30814 @cindex dynamic varobj
30815 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30816 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30817 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30818 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30819 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30820 compatibility for existing clients.
30821
30822 @subsubheading Result
30823
30824 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30825 are:
30826
30827 @table @samp
30828 @item name
30829 The name of the varobj.
30830
30831 @item numchild
30832 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30833 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30834 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30835
30836 @item value
30837 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30838 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30839 will not be interesting.
30840
30841 @item type
30842 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30843 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30844 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30845 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30846 @emph{declared} one.
30847
30848 @item thread-id
30849 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30850 thread's identifier.
30851
30852 @item has_more
30853 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30854 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30855
30856 @item dynamic
30857 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30858 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30859 then this attribute will not be present.
30860
30861 @item displayhint
30862 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30863 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30864 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30865 @end table
30866
30867 Typical output will look like this:
30868
30869 @smallexample
30870 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30871 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30872 @end smallexample
30873
30874
30875 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30876 @findex -var-delete
30877
30878 @subsubheading Synopsis
30879
30880 @smallexample
30881 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30882 @end smallexample
30883
30884 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30885 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30886
30887 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30888
30889
30890 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30891 @findex -var-set-format
30892
30893 @subsubheading Synopsis
30894
30895 @smallexample
30896 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30897 @end smallexample
30898
30899 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30900 @var{format-spec}.
30901
30902 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30903 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30904
30905 @smallexample
30906 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30907 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30908 @end smallexample
30909
30910 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30911 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30912 for pointers, etc.).
30913
30914 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30915 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30916
30917 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30918 @findex -var-show-format
30919
30920 @subsubheading Synopsis
30921
30922 @smallexample
30923 -var-show-format @var{name}
30924 @end smallexample
30925
30926 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30927
30928 @smallexample
30929 @var{format} @expansion{}
30930 @var{format-spec}
30931 @end smallexample
30932
30933
30934 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30935 @findex -var-info-num-children
30936
30937 @subsubheading Synopsis
30938
30939 @smallexample
30940 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30941 @end smallexample
30942
30943 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30944
30945 @smallexample
30946 numchild=@var{n}
30947 @end smallexample
30948
30949 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30950 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30951 be available.
30952
30953
30954 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30955 @findex -var-list-children
30956
30957 @subsubheading Synopsis
30958
30959 @smallexample
30960 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30961 @end smallexample
30962 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30963
30964 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30965 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30966 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30967 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30968 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30969 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30970 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30971 and unions.
30972
30973 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30974 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30975 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30976 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30977 reported.
30978
30979 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30980 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30981 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30982 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30983 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30984 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30985 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30986 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30987 the visible items.
30988
30989 For each child the following results are returned:
30990
30991 @table @var
30992
30993 @item name
30994 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30995
30996 @item exp
30997 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30998 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30999
31000 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
31001 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
31002
31003 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
31004 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
31005 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
31006 type and value are not present.
31007
31008 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
31009 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
31010 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
31011
31012 @item numchild
31013 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
31014 0.
31015
31016 @item type
31017 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
31018 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31019 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31020 @emph{declared} one.
31021
31022 @item value
31023 If values were requested, this is the value.
31024
31025 @item thread-id
31026 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
31027 Otherwise this result is not present.
31028
31029 @item frozen
31030 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31031 @end table
31032
31033 The result may have its own attributes:
31034
31035 @table @samp
31036 @item displayhint
31037 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31038 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31039 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31040
31041 @item has_more
31042 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31043 remaining after the end of the selected range.
31044 @end table
31045
31046 @subsubheading Example
31047
31048 @smallexample
31049 (gdb)
31050 -var-list-children n
31051 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31052 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31053 (gdb)
31054 -var-list-children --all-values n
31055 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31056 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31057 @end smallexample
31058
31059
31060 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
31061 @findex -var-info-type
31062
31063 @subsubheading Synopsis
31064
31065 @smallexample
31066 -var-info-type @var{name}
31067 @end smallexample
31068
31069 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
31070 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
31071 @value{GDBN} CLI:
31072
31073 @smallexample
31074 type=@var{typename}
31075 @end smallexample
31076
31077
31078 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
31079 @findex -var-info-expression
31080
31081 @subsubheading Synopsis
31082
31083 @smallexample
31084 -var-info-expression @var{name}
31085 @end smallexample
31086
31087 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
31088 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
31089 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
31090
31091 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
31092 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
31093
31094 @smallexample
31095 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
31096 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
31097 @end smallexample
31098
31099 @noindent
31100 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
31101
31102 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
31103 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
31104 is of limited use.
31105
31106 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
31107 @findex -var-info-path-expression
31108
31109 @subsubheading Synopsis
31110
31111 @smallexample
31112 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
31113 @end smallexample
31114
31115 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
31116 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
31117 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
31118 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
31119 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
31120 watchpoint from a variable object.
31121
31122 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
31123 and will give an error when invoked on one.
31124
31125 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
31126 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
31127 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
31128 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
31129 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
31130 @smallexample
31131 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
31132 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
31133 @end smallexample
31134
31135 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
31136 @findex -var-show-attributes
31137
31138 @subsubheading Synopsis
31139
31140 @smallexample
31141 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
31142 @end smallexample
31143
31144 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
31145
31146 @smallexample
31147 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
31148 @end smallexample
31149
31150 @noindent
31151 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
31152
31153 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
31154 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
31155
31156 @subsubheading Synopsis
31157
31158 @smallexample
31159 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
31160 @end smallexample
31161
31162 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31163 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31164 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31165 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31166 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31167 the current display format will be used. The current display format
31168 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
31169
31170 @smallexample
31171 value=@var{value}
31172 @end smallexample
31173
31174 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
31175 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
31176
31177 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
31178 @findex -var-assign
31179
31180 @subsubheading Synopsis
31181
31182 @smallexample
31183 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
31184 @end smallexample
31185
31186 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
31187 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
31188 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
31189 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
31190
31191 @subsubheading Example
31192
31193 @smallexample
31194 (gdb)
31195 -var-assign var1 3
31196 ^done,value="3"
31197 (gdb)
31198 -var-update *
31199 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
31200 (gdb)
31201 @end smallexample
31202
31203 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
31204 @findex -var-update
31205
31206 @subsubheading Synopsis
31207
31208 @smallexample
31209 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
31210 @end smallexample
31211
31212 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
31213 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
31214 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
31215 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
31216 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
31217 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
31218 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
31219 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
31220 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
31221 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
31222 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
31223 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
31224 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
31225
31226 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
31227 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
31228 diagnostic.
31229
31230 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
31231 only the selected range of children will be reported.
31232
31233 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
31234 @samp{changelist}.
31235
31236 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
31237
31238 @table @samp
31239 @item name
31240 The name of the varobj.
31241
31242 @item value
31243 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
31244 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
31245
31246 @item in_scope
31247 @anchor{-var-update}
31248 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
31249
31250 @table @code
31251 @item "true"
31252 The variable object's current value is valid.
31253
31254 @item "false"
31255 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
31256 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
31257 scope.
31258
31259 @item "invalid"
31260 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
31261 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
31262 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
31263 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
31264 objects.
31265 @end table
31266
31267 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
31268 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
31269
31270 @item type_changed
31271 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
31272 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
31273 be @samp{false}.
31274
31275 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
31276 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
31277 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
31278 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
31279 unset.
31280
31281 @item new_type
31282 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
31283 hold the new type.
31284
31285 @item new_num_children
31286 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
31287 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
31288
31289 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
31290 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
31291 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
31292 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
31293 children which may be available.
31294
31295 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
31296 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
31297 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
31298 only happen at the end of the update range).
31299
31300 @item displayhint
31301 The display hint, if any.
31302
31303 @item has_more
31304 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
31305 available outside the varobj's update range.
31306
31307 @item dynamic
31308 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31309 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31310 then this attribute will not be present.
31311
31312 @item new_children
31313 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
31314 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
31315 be listed in this attribute.
31316 @end table
31317
31318 @subsubheading Example
31319
31320 @smallexample
31321 (gdb)
31322 -var-assign var1 3
31323 ^done,value="3"
31324 (gdb)
31325 -var-update --all-values var1
31326 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
31327 type_changed="false"@}]
31328 (gdb)
31329 @end smallexample
31330
31331 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
31332 @findex -var-set-frozen
31333 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
31334
31335 @subsubheading Synopsis
31336
31337 @smallexample
31338 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
31339 @end smallexample
31340
31341 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
31342 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
31343 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
31344 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
31345 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
31346 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
31347 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
31348 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
31349 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
31350 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
31351 @code{-var-update} does.
31352
31353 @subsubheading Example
31354
31355 @smallexample
31356 (gdb)
31357 -var-set-frozen V 1
31358 ^done
31359 (gdb)
31360 @end smallexample
31361
31362 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
31363 @findex -var-set-update-range
31364 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
31365
31366 @subsubheading Synopsis
31367
31368 @smallexample
31369 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
31370 @end smallexample
31371
31372 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
31373 @code{-var-update}.
31374
31375 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
31376 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
31377 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
31378 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
31379
31380 @subsubheading Example
31381
31382 @smallexample
31383 (gdb)
31384 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
31385 ^done
31386 @end smallexample
31387
31388 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
31389 @findex -var-set-visualizer
31390 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
31391
31392 @subsubheading Synopsis
31393
31394 @smallexample
31395 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
31396 @end smallexample
31397
31398 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
31399
31400 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
31401 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
31402
31403 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
31404 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
31405 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
31406 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
31407 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
31408 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
31409 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
31410
31411 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
31412 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
31413 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
31414 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
31415
31416 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
31417 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
31418 can be used to check this.
31419
31420 @subsubheading Example
31421
31422 Resetting the visualizer:
31423
31424 @smallexample
31425 (gdb)
31426 -var-set-visualizer V None
31427 ^done
31428 @end smallexample
31429
31430 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
31431
31432 @smallexample
31433 (gdb)
31434 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
31435 ^done
31436 @end smallexample
31437
31438 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
31439 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
31440
31441 @smallexample
31442 (gdb)
31443 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
31444 ^done
31445 @end smallexample
31446
31447 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31448 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
31449 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
31450
31451 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
31452 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
31453 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
31454 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
31455
31456 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
31457 @c @subheading -data-assign
31458 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
31459 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
31460 @c set variable
31461 @c @subsubheading Example
31462 @c N.A.
31463
31464 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
31465 @findex -data-disassemble
31466
31467 @subsubheading Synopsis
31468
31469 @smallexample
31470 -data-disassemble
31471 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
31472 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
31473 -- @var{mode}
31474 @end smallexample
31475
31476 @noindent
31477 Where:
31478
31479 @table @samp
31480 @item @var{start-addr}
31481 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
31482 @item @var{end-addr}
31483 is the end address
31484 @item @var{filename}
31485 is the name of the file to disassemble
31486 @item @var{linenum}
31487 is the line number to disassemble around
31488 @item @var{lines}
31489 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
31490 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
31491 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
31492 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
31493 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
31494 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
31495 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
31496 are displayed.
31497 @item @var{mode}
31498 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
31499 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
31500 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
31501 @end table
31502
31503 @subsubheading Result
31504
31505 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31506 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31507 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31508
31509 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31510 following fields:
31511
31512 @table @code
31513 @item address
31514 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31515
31516 @item func-name
31517 The name of the function this instruction is within.
31518
31519 @item offset
31520 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31521
31522 @item inst
31523 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31524
31525 @item opcodes
31526 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
31527 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31528
31529 @end table
31530
31531 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31532 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31533
31534 @table @code
31535 @item line
31536 The line number within @samp{file}.
31537
31538 @item file
31539 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31540 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31541 used.
31542
31543 @item fullname
31544 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31545 using the source file search path
31546 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31547 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31548
31549 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31550 present in the debug information.
31551
31552 @item line_asm_insn
31553 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31554 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31555 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31556 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31557 @samp{opcodes}.
31558
31559 @end table
31560
31561 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31562 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31563 adjust its format.
31564
31565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31566
31567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31568
31569 @subsubheading Example
31570
31571 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31572
31573 @smallexample
31574 (gdb)
31575 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31576 ^done,
31577 asm_insns=[
31578 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31579 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31580 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31581 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31582 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31583 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31584 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31585 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31586 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31587 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31588 (gdb)
31589 @end smallexample
31590
31591 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31592 @code{main}.
31593
31594 @smallexample
31595 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31596 ^done,asm_insns=[
31597 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31598 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31599 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31600 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31601 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31602 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31603 [@dots{}]
31604 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31605 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31606 (gdb)
31607 @end smallexample
31608
31609 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31610
31611 @smallexample
31612 (gdb)
31613 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31614 ^done,asm_insns=[
31615 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31616 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31617 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31618 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31619 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31620 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31621 (gdb)
31622 @end smallexample
31623
31624 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31625
31626 @smallexample
31627 (gdb)
31628 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31629 ^done,asm_insns=[
31630 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31631 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31632 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31633 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31634 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31635 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31636 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31637 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31638 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31639 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31640 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31641 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31642 (gdb)
31643 @end smallexample
31644
31645
31646 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31647 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
31648
31649 @subsubheading Synopsis
31650
31651 @smallexample
31652 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31653 @end smallexample
31654
31655 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31656 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31657 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31658
31659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31660
31661 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31662 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31663 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
31664
31665 @subsubheading Example
31666
31667 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31668 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31669 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31670 output.
31671
31672 @smallexample
31673 211-data-evaluate-expression A
31674 211^done,value="1"
31675 (gdb)
31676 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31677 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31678 (gdb)
31679 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31680 411^done,value="4"
31681 (gdb)
31682 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31683 511^done,value="4"
31684 (gdb)
31685 @end smallexample
31686
31687
31688 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31689 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
31690
31691 @subsubheading Synopsis
31692
31693 @smallexample
31694 -data-list-changed-registers
31695 @end smallexample
31696
31697 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31698
31699 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31700
31701 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31702 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31703
31704 @subsubheading Example
31705
31706 On a PPC MBX board:
31707
31708 @smallexample
31709 (gdb)
31710 -exec-continue
31711 ^running
31712
31713 (gdb)
31714 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31715 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31716 line="5"@}
31717 (gdb)
31718 -data-list-changed-registers
31719 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31720 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31721 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31722 (gdb)
31723 @end smallexample
31724
31725
31726 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31727 @findex -data-list-register-names
31728
31729 @subsubheading Synopsis
31730
31731 @smallexample
31732 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31733 @end smallexample
31734
31735 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31736 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31737 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31738 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31739 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31740 include empty register names.
31741
31742 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31743
31744 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31745 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31746 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31747
31748 @subsubheading Example
31749
31750 For the PPC MBX board:
31751 @smallexample
31752 (gdb)
31753 -data-list-register-names
31754 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31755 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31756 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31757 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31758 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31759 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31760 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31761 (gdb)
31762 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31763 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31764 (gdb)
31765 @end smallexample
31766
31767 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31768 @findex -data-list-register-values
31769
31770 @subsubheading Synopsis
31771
31772 @smallexample
31773 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31774 @end smallexample
31775
31776 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
31777 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
31778 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
31779 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
31780
31781 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31782
31783 @table @code
31784 @item x
31785 Hexadecimal
31786 @item o
31787 Octal
31788 @item t
31789 Binary
31790 @item d
31791 Decimal
31792 @item r
31793 Raw
31794 @item N
31795 Natural
31796 @end table
31797
31798 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31799
31800 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31801 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31802
31803 @subsubheading Example
31804
31805 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31806 don't appear in the actual output):
31807
31808 @smallexample
31809 (gdb)
31810 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
31811 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31812 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31813 (gdb)
31814 -data-list-register-values x
31815 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31816 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31817 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31818 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31819 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31820 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31821 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31822 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31823 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31824 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31825 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31826 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31827 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31828 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31829 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31830 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31831 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31832 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31833 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31834 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31835 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31836 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31837 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31838 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31839 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31840 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31841 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31842 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31843 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31844 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31845 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31846 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31847 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31848 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31849 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31850 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31851 (gdb)
31852 @end smallexample
31853
31854
31855 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31856 @findex -data-read-memory
31857
31858 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31859
31860 @subsubheading Synopsis
31861
31862 @smallexample
31863 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31864 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31865 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31866 @end smallexample
31867
31868 @noindent
31869 where:
31870
31871 @table @samp
31872 @item @var{address}
31873 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31874 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31875 quoted using the C convention.
31876
31877 @item @var{word-format}
31878 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31879 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31880 ,Output Formats}).
31881
31882 @item @var{word-size}
31883 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31884
31885 @item @var{nr-rows}
31886 The number of rows in the output table.
31887
31888 @item @var{nr-cols}
31889 The number of columns in the output table.
31890
31891 @item @var{aschar}
31892 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31893 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31894 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31895 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31896
31897 @item @var{byte-offset}
31898 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31899 @end table
31900
31901 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31902 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31903 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31904 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31905 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31906 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31907 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31908 @samp{addr}.
31909
31910 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31911 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31912 @samp{prev-page}.
31913
31914 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31915
31916 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31917 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31918
31919 @subsubheading Example
31920
31921 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31922 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31923 word. Display each word in hex.
31924
31925 @smallexample
31926 (gdb)
31927 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31928 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31929 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31930 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31931 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31932 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31933 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31934 (gdb)
31935 @end smallexample
31936
31937 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31938 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31939
31940 @smallexample
31941 (gdb)
31942 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31943 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31944 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31945 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31946 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31947 (gdb)
31948 @end smallexample
31949
31950 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31951 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31952 used as the non-printable character.
31953
31954 @smallexample
31955 (gdb)
31956 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31957 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31958 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31959 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31960 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31961 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31962 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31963 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31964 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31965 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31966 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31967 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31968 (gdb)
31969 @end smallexample
31970
31971 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31972 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31973
31974 @subsubheading Synopsis
31975
31976 @smallexample
31977 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31978 @var{address} @var{count}
31979 @end smallexample
31980
31981 @noindent
31982 where:
31983
31984 @table @samp
31985 @item @var{address}
31986 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31987 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31988 quoted using the C convention.
31989
31990 @item @var{count}
31991 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31992
31993 @item @var{byte-offset}
31994 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31995 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31996 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31997 perform address arithmetics itself.
31998
31999 @end table
32000
32001 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
32002 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
32003 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
32004 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
32005 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
32006 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
32007
32008 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
32009 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
32010 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
32011 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
32012 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
32013 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
32014 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
32015 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
32016
32017 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
32018 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
32019 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
32020 and has the following fields:
32021
32022 @table @code
32023 @item begin
32024 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32025
32026 @item end
32027 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32028
32029 @item offset
32030 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32031 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32032
32033 @item contents
32034 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32035
32036 @end table
32037
32038
32039
32040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32041
32042 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32043
32044 @subsubheading Example
32045
32046 @smallexample
32047 (gdb)
32048 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
32049 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
32050 end="0xbffff15e",
32051 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
32052 (gdb)
32053 @end smallexample
32054
32055
32056 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
32057 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
32058
32059 @subsubheading Synopsis
32060
32061 @smallexample
32062 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
32063 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
32064 @end smallexample
32065
32066 @noindent
32067 where:
32068
32069 @table @samp
32070 @item @var{address}
32071 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32072 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32073 quoted using the C convention.
32074
32075 @item @var{contents}
32076 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
32077
32078 @item @var{count}
32079 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
32080 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
32081 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
32082
32083 @end table
32084
32085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32086
32087 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32088
32089 @subsubheading Example
32090
32091 @smallexample
32092 (gdb)
32093 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
32094 ^done
32095 (gdb)
32096 @end smallexample
32097
32098 @smallexample
32099 (gdb)
32100 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
32101 ^done
32102 (gdb)
32103 @end smallexample
32104
32105 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32106 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
32107 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
32108
32109 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
32110 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
32111
32112 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
32113 @findex -trace-find
32114
32115 @subsubheading Synopsis
32116
32117 @smallexample
32118 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
32119 @end smallexample
32120
32121 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
32122 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
32123 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
32124
32125 @table @samp
32126
32127 @item none
32128 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
32129
32130 @item frame-number
32131 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
32132 that index.
32133
32134 @item tracepoint-number
32135 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
32136 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32137
32138 @item pc
32139 An address is required as parameter. Finds
32140 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32141 address.
32142
32143 @item pc-inside-range
32144 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32145 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32146 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32147
32148 @item pc-outside-range
32149 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32150 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32151 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32152
32153 @item line
32154 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32155 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32156 the specified location.
32157
32158 @end table
32159
32160 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32161 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32162
32163 @table @samp
32164 @item found
32165 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32166 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32167
32168 @item traceframe
32169 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32170 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32171
32172 @item tracepoint
32173 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
32174 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32175
32176 @item frame
32177 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
32178 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
32179 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
32180
32181 @end table
32182
32183 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32184
32185 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
32186
32187 @subheading -trace-define-variable
32188 @findex -trace-define-variable
32189
32190 @subsubheading Synopsis
32191
32192 @smallexample
32193 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
32194 @end smallexample
32195
32196 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
32197 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
32198 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
32199 with the @samp{$} character.
32200
32201 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32202
32203 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
32204
32205 @subheading -trace-list-variables
32206 @findex -trace-list-variables
32207
32208 @subsubheading Synopsis
32209
32210 @smallexample
32211 -trace-list-variables
32212 @end smallexample
32213
32214 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
32215 table has the following fields:
32216
32217 @table @samp
32218 @item name
32219 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
32220
32221 @item initial
32222 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
32223 field is always present.
32224
32225 @item current
32226 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
32227 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
32228 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
32229 presently running.
32230
32231 @end table
32232
32233 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32234
32235 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
32236
32237 @subsubheading Example
32238
32239 @smallexample
32240 (gdb)
32241 -trace-list-variables
32242 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
32243 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
32244 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
32245 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
32246 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
32247 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
32248 (gdb)
32249 @end smallexample
32250
32251 @subheading -trace-save
32252 @findex -trace-save
32253
32254 @subsubheading Synopsis
32255
32256 @smallexample
32257 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
32258 @end smallexample
32259
32260 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
32261 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
32262 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
32263 to perform the save.
32264
32265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32266
32267 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
32268
32269
32270 @subheading -trace-start
32271 @findex -trace-start
32272
32273 @subsubheading Synopsis
32274
32275 @smallexample
32276 -trace-start
32277 @end smallexample
32278
32279 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
32280 have any fields.
32281
32282 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32283
32284 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
32285
32286 @subheading -trace-status
32287 @findex -trace-status
32288
32289 @subsubheading Synopsis
32290
32291 @smallexample
32292 -trace-status
32293 @end smallexample
32294
32295 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
32296 the following fields:
32297
32298 @table @samp
32299
32300 @item supported
32301 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
32302 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
32303 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
32304 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
32305 started. This field is always present.
32306
32307 @item running
32308 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
32309 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
32310 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32311
32312 @item stop-reason
32313 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
32314 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
32315 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
32316 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
32317 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
32318 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
32319 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
32320 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
32321 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32322
32323 @item stopping-tracepoint
32324 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
32325 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
32326 @samp{passcount}.
32327
32328 @item frames
32329 @itemx frames-created
32330 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
32331 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
32332 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
32333 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
32334
32335 @item buffer-size
32336 @itemx buffer-free
32337 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
32338 remaining space. These fields are optional.
32339
32340 @item circular
32341 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32342 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32343 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32344 and may fill up.
32345
32346 @item disconnected
32347 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32348 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32349 that the trace run will stop.
32350
32351 @item trace-file
32352 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
32353 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
32354
32355 @end table
32356
32357 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32358
32359 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
32360
32361 @subheading -trace-stop
32362 @findex -trace-stop
32363
32364 @subsubheading Synopsis
32365
32366 @smallexample
32367 -trace-stop
32368 @end smallexample
32369
32370 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
32371 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
32372 @samp{running} fields are not output.
32373
32374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32375
32376 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32377
32378
32379 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32380 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32381 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32382
32383
32384 @ignore
32385 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32386 @findex -symbol-info-address
32387
32388 @subsubheading Synopsis
32389
32390 @smallexample
32391 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32392 @end smallexample
32393
32394 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32395
32396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32397
32398 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32399
32400 @subsubheading Example
32401 N.A.
32402
32403
32404 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32405 @findex -symbol-info-file
32406
32407 @subsubheading Synopsis
32408
32409 @smallexample
32410 -symbol-info-file
32411 @end smallexample
32412
32413 Show the file for the symbol.
32414
32415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32416
32417 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32418 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
32419
32420 @subsubheading Example
32421 N.A.
32422
32423
32424 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32425 @findex -symbol-info-function
32426
32427 @subsubheading Synopsis
32428
32429 @smallexample
32430 -symbol-info-function
32431 @end smallexample
32432
32433 Show which function the symbol lives in.
32434
32435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32436
32437 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32438
32439 @subsubheading Example
32440 N.A.
32441
32442
32443 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32444 @findex -symbol-info-line
32445
32446 @subsubheading Synopsis
32447
32448 @smallexample
32449 -symbol-info-line
32450 @end smallexample
32451
32452 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32453
32454 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32455
32456 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32457 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32458
32459 @subsubheading Example
32460 N.A.
32461
32462
32463 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32464 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
32465
32466 @subsubheading Synopsis
32467
32468 @smallexample
32469 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32470 @end smallexample
32471
32472 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32473
32474 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32475
32476 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32477
32478 @subsubheading Example
32479 N.A.
32480
32481
32482 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32483 @findex -symbol-list-functions
32484
32485 @subsubheading Synopsis
32486
32487 @smallexample
32488 -symbol-list-functions
32489 @end smallexample
32490
32491 List the functions in the executable.
32492
32493 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32494
32495 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32496 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32497
32498 @subsubheading Example
32499 N.A.
32500 @end ignore
32501
32502
32503 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32504 @findex -symbol-list-lines
32505
32506 @subsubheading Synopsis
32507
32508 @smallexample
32509 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32510 @end smallexample
32511
32512 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32513 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32514 ascending PC order.
32515
32516 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32517
32518 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32519
32520 @subsubheading Example
32521 @smallexample
32522 (gdb)
32523 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
32524 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32525 (gdb)
32526 @end smallexample
32527
32528
32529 @ignore
32530 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32531 @findex -symbol-list-types
32532
32533 @subsubheading Synopsis
32534
32535 @smallexample
32536 -symbol-list-types
32537 @end smallexample
32538
32539 List all the type names.
32540
32541 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32542
32543 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32544 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32545
32546 @subsubheading Example
32547 N.A.
32548
32549
32550 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32551 @findex -symbol-list-variables
32552
32553 @subsubheading Synopsis
32554
32555 @smallexample
32556 -symbol-list-variables
32557 @end smallexample
32558
32559 List all the global and static variable names.
32560
32561 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32562
32563 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32564
32565 @subsubheading Example
32566 N.A.
32567
32568
32569 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32570 @findex -symbol-locate
32571
32572 @subsubheading Synopsis
32573
32574 @smallexample
32575 -symbol-locate
32576 @end smallexample
32577
32578 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32579
32580 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32581
32582 @subsubheading Example
32583 N.A.
32584
32585
32586 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32587 @findex -symbol-type
32588
32589 @subsubheading Synopsis
32590
32591 @smallexample
32592 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32593 @end smallexample
32594
32595 Show type of @var{variable}.
32596
32597 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32598
32599 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32600 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32601
32602 @subsubheading Example
32603 N.A.
32604 @end ignore
32605
32606
32607 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32608 @node GDB/MI File Commands
32609 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32610
32611 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32612 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32613
32614 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32615 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32616
32617 @subsubheading Synopsis
32618
32619 @smallexample
32620 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32621 @end smallexample
32622
32623 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32624 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32625 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32626 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32627 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32628 notification.
32629
32630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32631
32632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32633
32634 @subsubheading Example
32635
32636 @smallexample
32637 (gdb)
32638 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32639 ^done
32640 (gdb)
32641 @end smallexample
32642
32643
32644 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32645 @findex -file-exec-file
32646
32647 @subsubheading Synopsis
32648
32649 @smallexample
32650 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32651 @end smallexample
32652
32653 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32654 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32655 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32656 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32657 notification.
32658
32659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32660
32661 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32662
32663 @subsubheading Example
32664
32665 @smallexample
32666 (gdb)
32667 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32668 ^done
32669 (gdb)
32670 @end smallexample
32671
32672
32673 @ignore
32674 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32675 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
32676
32677 @subsubheading Synopsis
32678
32679 @smallexample
32680 -file-list-exec-sections
32681 @end smallexample
32682
32683 List the sections of the current executable file.
32684
32685 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32686
32687 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32688 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32689 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
32690
32691 @subsubheading Example
32692 N.A.
32693 @end ignore
32694
32695
32696 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32697 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32698
32699 @subsubheading Synopsis
32700
32701 @smallexample
32702 -file-list-exec-source-file
32703 @end smallexample
32704
32705 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32706 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32707 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32708 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32709
32710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32711
32712 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32713
32714 @subsubheading Example
32715
32716 @smallexample
32717 (gdb)
32718 123-file-list-exec-source-file
32719 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32720 (gdb)
32721 @end smallexample
32722
32723
32724 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32725 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32726
32727 @subsubheading Synopsis
32728
32729 @smallexample
32730 -file-list-exec-source-files
32731 @end smallexample
32732
32733 List the source files for the current executable.
32734
32735 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32736 name) of a source file.
32737
32738 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32739
32740 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32741 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32742
32743 @subsubheading Example
32744 @smallexample
32745 (gdb)
32746 -file-list-exec-source-files
32747 ^done,files=[
32748 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32749 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32750 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32751 (gdb)
32752 @end smallexample
32753
32754 @ignore
32755 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32756 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32757
32758 @subsubheading Synopsis
32759
32760 @smallexample
32761 -file-list-shared-libraries
32762 @end smallexample
32763
32764 List the shared libraries in the program.
32765
32766 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32767
32768 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
32769
32770 @subsubheading Example
32771 N.A.
32772
32773
32774 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32775 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
32776
32777 @subsubheading Synopsis
32778
32779 @smallexample
32780 -file-list-symbol-files
32781 @end smallexample
32782
32783 List symbol files.
32784
32785 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32786
32787 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32788
32789 @subsubheading Example
32790 N.A.
32791 @end ignore
32792
32793
32794 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32795 @findex -file-symbol-file
32796
32797 @subsubheading Synopsis
32798
32799 @smallexample
32800 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32801 @end smallexample
32802
32803 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32804 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32805 produced, except for a completion notification.
32806
32807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32808
32809 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32810
32811 @subsubheading Example
32812
32813 @smallexample
32814 (gdb)
32815 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32816 ^done
32817 (gdb)
32818 @end smallexample
32819
32820 @ignore
32821 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32822 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32823 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32824
32825 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32826
32827 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
32828
32829 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32830
32831 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32832
32833 @c @subheading -overlay-map
32834
32835 @c @subheading -overlay-off
32836
32837 @c @subheading -overlay-on
32838
32839 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32840
32841 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32842 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32843 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32844
32845 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32846
32847 @c @subheading -signal-handle
32848
32849 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32850
32851 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32852 @end ignore
32853
32854
32855 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32856 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32857 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32858
32859
32860 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32861 @findex -target-attach
32862
32863 @subsubheading Synopsis
32864
32865 @smallexample
32866 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32867 @end smallexample
32868
32869 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32870 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32871 group, the id previously returned by
32872 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32873
32874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32875
32876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32877
32878 @subsubheading Example
32879 @smallexample
32880 (gdb)
32881 -target-attach 34
32882 =thread-created,id="1"
32883 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32884 ^done
32885 (gdb)
32886 @end smallexample
32887
32888 @ignore
32889 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32890 @findex -target-compare-sections
32891
32892 @subsubheading Synopsis
32893
32894 @smallexample
32895 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32896 @end smallexample
32897
32898 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32899 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32900
32901 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32902
32903 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32904
32905 @subsubheading Example
32906 N.A.
32907 @end ignore
32908
32909
32910 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32911 @findex -target-detach
32912
32913 @subsubheading Synopsis
32914
32915 @smallexample
32916 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32917 @end smallexample
32918
32919 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32920 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32921 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32922
32923 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32924
32925 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32926
32927 @subsubheading Example
32928
32929 @smallexample
32930 (gdb)
32931 -target-detach
32932 ^done
32933 (gdb)
32934 @end smallexample
32935
32936
32937 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32938 @findex -target-disconnect
32939
32940 @subsubheading Synopsis
32941
32942 @smallexample
32943 -target-disconnect
32944 @end smallexample
32945
32946 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32947 generally not resumed.
32948
32949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32950
32951 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32952
32953 @subsubheading Example
32954
32955 @smallexample
32956 (gdb)
32957 -target-disconnect
32958 ^done
32959 (gdb)
32960 @end smallexample
32961
32962
32963 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32964 @findex -target-download
32965
32966 @subsubheading Synopsis
32967
32968 @smallexample
32969 -target-download
32970 @end smallexample
32971
32972 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32973 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32974
32975 @table @samp
32976 @item section
32977 The name of the section.
32978 @item section-sent
32979 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32980 @item section-size
32981 The size of the section.
32982 @item total-sent
32983 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32984 @item total-size
32985 The size of the overall executable to download.
32986 @end table
32987
32988 @noindent
32989 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32990 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32991
32992 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32993 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32994
32995 @table @samp
32996 @item section
32997 The name of the section.
32998 @item section-size
32999 The size of the section.
33000 @item total-size
33001 The size of the overall executable to download.
33002 @end table
33003
33004 @noindent
33005 At the end, a summary is printed.
33006
33007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33008
33009 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33010
33011 @subsubheading Example
33012
33013 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33014 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33015
33016 @smallexample
33017 (gdb)
33018 -target-download
33019 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33020 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33021 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33022 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33023 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33024 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33025 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33026 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33027 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33028 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33029 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33030 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33031 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33032 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33033 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33034 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33035 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33036 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33037 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33038 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33039 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33040 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33041 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33042 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33043 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33044 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33045 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33046 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33047 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33048 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33049 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33050 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33051 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33052 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33053 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33054 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33055 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33056 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33057 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33058 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
33059 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
33060 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
33061 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
33062 write-rate="429"
33063 (gdb)
33064 @end smallexample
33065
33066
33067 @ignore
33068 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
33069 @findex -target-exec-status
33070
33071 @subsubheading Synopsis
33072
33073 @smallexample
33074 -target-exec-status
33075 @end smallexample
33076
33077 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
33078 not, for instance).
33079
33080 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33081
33082 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
33083
33084 @subsubheading Example
33085 N.A.
33086
33087
33088 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
33089 @findex -target-list-available-targets
33090
33091 @subsubheading Synopsis
33092
33093 @smallexample
33094 -target-list-available-targets
33095 @end smallexample
33096
33097 List the possible targets to connect to.
33098
33099 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33100
33101 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
33102
33103 @subsubheading Example
33104 N.A.
33105
33106
33107 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
33108 @findex -target-list-current-targets
33109
33110 @subsubheading Synopsis
33111
33112 @smallexample
33113 -target-list-current-targets
33114 @end smallexample
33115
33116 Describe the current target.
33117
33118 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33119
33120 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
33121 other things).
33122
33123 @subsubheading Example
33124 N.A.
33125
33126
33127 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
33128 @findex -target-list-parameters
33129
33130 @subsubheading Synopsis
33131
33132 @smallexample
33133 -target-list-parameters
33134 @end smallexample
33135
33136 @c ????
33137 @end ignore
33138
33139 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33140
33141 No equivalent.
33142
33143 @subsubheading Example
33144 N.A.
33145
33146
33147 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
33148 @findex -target-select
33149
33150 @subsubheading Synopsis
33151
33152 @smallexample
33153 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
33154 @end smallexample
33155
33156 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
33157
33158 @table @samp
33159 @item @var{type}
33160 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
33161 @item @var{parameters}
33162 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
33163 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
33164 @end table
33165
33166 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
33167 which the target program is, in the following form:
33168
33169 @smallexample
33170 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
33171 args=[@var{arg list}]
33172 @end smallexample
33173
33174 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33175
33176 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
33177
33178 @subsubheading Example
33179
33180 @smallexample
33181 (gdb)
33182 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
33183 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
33184 (gdb)
33185 @end smallexample
33186
33187 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33188 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
33189 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
33190
33191
33192 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
33193 @findex -target-file-put
33194
33195 @subsubheading Synopsis
33196
33197 @smallexample
33198 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
33199 @end smallexample
33200
33201 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
33202 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
33203
33204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33205
33206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
33207
33208 @subsubheading Example
33209
33210 @smallexample
33211 (gdb)
33212 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
33213 ^done
33214 (gdb)
33215 @end smallexample
33216
33217
33218 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
33219 @findex -target-file-get
33220
33221 @subsubheading Synopsis
33222
33223 @smallexample
33224 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
33225 @end smallexample
33226
33227 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
33228 on the host system.
33229
33230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33231
33232 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
33233
33234 @subsubheading Example
33235
33236 @smallexample
33237 (gdb)
33238 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
33239 ^done
33240 (gdb)
33241 @end smallexample
33242
33243
33244 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
33245 @findex -target-file-delete
33246
33247 @subsubheading Synopsis
33248
33249 @smallexample
33250 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
33251 @end smallexample
33252
33253 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
33254
33255 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33256
33257 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
33258
33259 @subsubheading Example
33260
33261 @smallexample
33262 (gdb)
33263 -target-file-delete remotefile
33264 ^done
33265 (gdb)
33266 @end smallexample
33267
33268
33269 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33270 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
33271 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33272
33273 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
33274
33275 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
33276 @findex -gdb-exit
33277
33278 @subsubheading Synopsis
33279
33280 @smallexample
33281 -gdb-exit
33282 @end smallexample
33283
33284 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
33285
33286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33287
33288 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
33289
33290 @subsubheading Example
33291
33292 @smallexample
33293 (gdb)
33294 -gdb-exit
33295 ^exit
33296 @end smallexample
33297
33298
33299 @ignore
33300 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33301 @findex -exec-abort
33302
33303 @subsubheading Synopsis
33304
33305 @smallexample
33306 -exec-abort
33307 @end smallexample
33308
33309 Kill the inferior running program.
33310
33311 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33312
33313 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33314
33315 @subsubheading Example
33316 N.A.
33317 @end ignore
33318
33319
33320 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33321 @findex -gdb-set
33322
33323 @subsubheading Synopsis
33324
33325 @smallexample
33326 -gdb-set
33327 @end smallexample
33328
33329 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33330 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33331
33332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33333
33334 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33335
33336 @subsubheading Example
33337
33338 @smallexample
33339 (gdb)
33340 -gdb-set $foo=3
33341 ^done
33342 (gdb)
33343 @end smallexample
33344
33345
33346 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33347 @findex -gdb-show
33348
33349 @subsubheading Synopsis
33350
33351 @smallexample
33352 -gdb-show
33353 @end smallexample
33354
33355 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33356
33357 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33358
33359 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33360
33361 @subsubheading Example
33362
33363 @smallexample
33364 (gdb)
33365 -gdb-show annotate
33366 ^done,value="0"
33367 (gdb)
33368 @end smallexample
33369
33370 @c @subheading -gdb-source
33371
33372
33373 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33374 @findex -gdb-version
33375
33376 @subsubheading Synopsis
33377
33378 @smallexample
33379 -gdb-version
33380 @end smallexample
33381
33382 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33383
33384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33385
33386 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33387 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33388
33389 @subsubheading Example
33390
33391 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33392 @c box in TeX.
33393 @smallexample
33394 (gdb)
33395 -gdb-version
33396 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
33397 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33398 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33399 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33400 ~ certain conditions.
33401 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33402 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33403 ~ details.
33404 ~This GDB was configured as
33405 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33406 ^done
33407 (gdb)
33408 @end smallexample
33409
33410 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33411 @findex -list-features
33412
33413 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33414 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33415 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33416 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33417 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33418 startup.
33419
33420 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33421 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33422 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33423 is given below.
33424
33425 Example output:
33426
33427 @smallexample
33428 (gdb) -list-features
33429 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33430 @end smallexample
33431
33432 The current list of features is:
33433
33434 @table @samp
33435 @item frozen-varobjs
33436 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33437 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33438 of @code{-varobj-create}.
33439 @item pending-breakpoints
33440 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33441 command.
33442 @item python
33443 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33444 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33445 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33446 @item thread-info
33447 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33448 @item data-read-memory-bytes
33449 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33450 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33451 @item breakpoint-notifications
33452 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33453 CLI will be announced via async records.
33454 @item ada-task-info
33455 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33456 @end table
33457
33458 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33459 @findex -list-target-features
33460
33461 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33462 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33463 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33464 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33465 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33466 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33467 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33468 Example output:
33469
33470 @smallexample
33471 (gdb) -list-features
33472 ^done,result=["async"]
33473 @end smallexample
33474
33475 The current list of features is:
33476
33477 @table @samp
33478 @item async
33479 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33480 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33481 while the target is running.
33482
33483 @item reverse
33484 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33485 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33486
33487 @end table
33488
33489 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33490 @findex -list-thread-groups
33491
33492 @subheading Synopsis
33493
33494 @smallexample
33495 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33496 @end smallexample
33497
33498 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33499 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33500 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33501 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33502 top-level thread groups.
33503
33504 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33505 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33506 available on the target.
33507
33508 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33509 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33510 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33511 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33512 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33513 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33514 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33515 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33516
33517 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33518 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33519 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33520 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33521 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33522 @samp{threads} field.
33523
33524 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33525 the following caveats:
33526
33527 @itemize @bullet
33528 @item
33529 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33530 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33531 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33532
33533 @item
33534 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33535 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33536 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33537 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33538 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33539 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33540
33541 @end itemize
33542
33543 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33544 have the following fields:
33545
33546 @table @code
33547 @item id
33548 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33549 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33550 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33551
33552 @item type
33553 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33554 valid type.
33555
33556 @item pid
33557 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33558 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33559
33560 @item num_children
33561 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33562 absent for an available thread group.
33563
33564 @item threads
33565 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33566 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33567 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33568
33569 @item cores
33570 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33571 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33572 such information is not available.
33573
33574 @item executable
33575 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33576 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33577 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33578
33579 @end table
33580
33581 @subheading Example
33582
33583 @smallexample
33584 @value{GDBP}
33585 -list-thread-groups
33586 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33587 -list-thread-groups 17
33588 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33589 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33590 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33591 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33592 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
33593 -list-thread-groups --available
33594 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33595 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33596 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33597 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33598 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33599 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33600 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33601 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33602 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33603 @end smallexample
33604
33605 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33606 @findex -info-os
33607
33608 @subsubheading Synopsis
33609
33610 @smallexample
33611 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
33612 @end smallexample
33613
33614 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33615 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33616 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33617 of data of that type.
33618
33619 The types of information available depend on the target operating
33620 system.
33621
33622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33623
33624 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33625
33626 @subsubheading Example
33627
33628 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33629 like this:
33630
33631 @smallexample
33632 @value{GDBP}
33633 -info-os
33634 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
33635 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33636 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33637 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33638 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33639 col2="Processes"@},
33640 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33641 col2="Process groups"@},
33642 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33643 col2="Threads"@},
33644 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33645 col2="File descriptors"@},
33646 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33647 col2="Sockets"@},
33648 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33649 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33650 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33651 col2="Semaphores"@},
33652 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33653 col2="Message queues"@},
33654 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33655 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
33656 @value{GDBP}
33657 -info-os processes
33658 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33659 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33660 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33661 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33662 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33663 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33664 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33665 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33666 ...
33667 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33668 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33669 (gdb)
33670 @end smallexample
33671
33672 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33673 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33674 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33675 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33676 @code{info os} omits it.)
33677
33678 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33679 @findex -add-inferior
33680
33681 @subheading Synopsis
33682
33683 @smallexample
33684 -add-inferior
33685 @end smallexample
33686
33687 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33688 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33689 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33690 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33691 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
33692 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33693
33694 @subheading Example
33695
33696 @smallexample
33697 @value{GDBP}
33698 -add-inferior
33699 ^done,thread-group="i3"
33700 @end smallexample
33701
33702 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33703 @findex -interpreter-exec
33704
33705 @subheading Synopsis
33706
33707 @smallexample
33708 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33709 @end smallexample
33710 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33711
33712 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33713
33714 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33715
33716 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33717
33718 @subheading Example
33719
33720 @smallexample
33721 (gdb)
33722 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
33723 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33724 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33725 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33726 ^done
33727 (gdb)
33728 @end smallexample
33729
33730 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33731 @findex -inferior-tty-set
33732
33733 @subheading Synopsis
33734
33735 @smallexample
33736 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33737 @end smallexample
33738
33739 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33740
33741 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33742
33743 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33744
33745 @subheading Example
33746
33747 @smallexample
33748 (gdb)
33749 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33750 ^done
33751 (gdb)
33752 @end smallexample
33753
33754 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33755 @findex -inferior-tty-show
33756
33757 @subheading Synopsis
33758
33759 @smallexample
33760 -inferior-tty-show
33761 @end smallexample
33762
33763 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33764
33765 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33766
33767 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33768
33769 @subheading Example
33770
33771 @smallexample
33772 (gdb)
33773 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33774 ^done
33775 (gdb)
33776 -inferior-tty-show
33777 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33778 (gdb)
33779 @end smallexample
33780
33781 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33782 @findex -enable-timings
33783
33784 @subheading Synopsis
33785
33786 @smallexample
33787 -enable-timings [yes | no]
33788 @end smallexample
33789
33790 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33791 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33792 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33793 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33794
33795 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33796
33797 No equivalent.
33798
33799 @subheading Example
33800
33801 @smallexample
33802 (gdb)
33803 -enable-timings
33804 ^done
33805 (gdb)
33806 -break-insert main
33807 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33808 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33809 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33810 times="0"@},
33811 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33812 (gdb)
33813 -enable-timings no
33814 ^done
33815 (gdb)
33816 -exec-run
33817 ^running
33818 (gdb)
33819 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33820 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33821 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33822 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
33823 (gdb)
33824 @end smallexample
33825
33826 @node Annotations
33827 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33828
33829 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33830 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33831 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33832 relatively high level.
33833
33834 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33835 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
33836
33837 @ignore
33838 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
33839 @end ignore
33840
33841 @menu
33842 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
33843 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
33844 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
33845 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
33846 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
33847 * Annotations for Running::
33848 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
33849 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
33850 @end menu
33851
33852 @node Annotations Overview
33853 @section What is an Annotation?
33854 @cindex annotations
33855
33856 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
33857 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
33858 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
33859 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
33860 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
33861 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
33862 cannot contain newline characters.
33863
33864 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
33865 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
33866 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
33867 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
33868 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
33869 means those three characters as output.
33870
33871 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
33872 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
33873 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
33874 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
33875 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
33876 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
33877 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
33878 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
33879 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
33880
33881 @table @code
33882 @kindex set annotate
33883 @item set annotate @var{level}
33884 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
33885 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
33886
33887 @item show annotate
33888 @kindex show annotate
33889 Show the current annotation level.
33890 @end table
33891
33892 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
33893
33894 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33895
33896 @smallexample
33897 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33898 GNU gdb 6.0
33899 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33900 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33901 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33902 under certain conditions.
33903 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33904 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33905 for details.
33906 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33907
33908 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33909 (@value{GDBP})
33910 ^Z^Zprompt
33911 @kbd{quit}
33912
33913 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33914 $
33915 @end smallexample
33916
33917 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33918 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33919 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33920 output from @value{GDBN}.
33921
33922 @node Server Prefix
33923 @section The Server Prefix
33924 @cindex server prefix
33925
33926 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33927 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33928 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33929 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33930 a transparent manner.
33931
33932 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33933 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33934 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33935 @code{print} command.
33936
33937 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33938 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33939
33940 @node Prompting
33941 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33942
33943 @cindex annotations for prompts
33944 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33945 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33946 over, etc.
33947
33948 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33949 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33950 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33951 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33952 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33953 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33954 features the following annotations:
33955
33956 @smallexample
33957 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33958 ^Z^Zprompt
33959 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33960 @end smallexample
33961
33962 The input types are
33963
33964 @table @code
33965 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33966 @findex prompt annotation
33967 @findex post-prompt annotation
33968 @item prompt
33969 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33970
33971 @findex pre-commands annotation
33972 @findex commands annotation
33973 @findex post-commands annotation
33974 @item commands
33975 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33976 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33977
33978 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33979 @findex overload-choice annotation
33980 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33981 @item overload-choice
33982 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33983
33984 @findex pre-query annotation
33985 @findex query annotation
33986 @findex post-query annotation
33987 @item query
33988 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33989
33990 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33991 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33992 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33993 @item prompt-for-continue
33994 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33995 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33996 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33997 presence of annotations.
33998 @end table
33999
34000 @node Errors
34001 @section Errors
34002 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
34003
34004 @findex quit annotation
34005 @smallexample
34006 ^Z^Zquit
34007 @end smallexample
34008
34009 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
34010
34011 @findex error annotation
34012 @smallexample
34013 ^Z^Zerror
34014 @end smallexample
34015
34016 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
34017
34018 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
34019 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
34020 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
34021 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
34022 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
34023 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
34024 to the top level.
34025
34026 @findex error-begin annotation
34027 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34028
34029 @smallexample
34030 ^Z^Zerror-begin
34031 @end smallexample
34032
34033 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34034 message.
34035
34036 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34037 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34038 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34039
34040 @node Invalidation
34041 @section Invalidation Notices
34042
34043 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34044 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34045 changed.
34046
34047 @table @code
34048 @findex frames-invalid annotation
34049 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
34050
34051 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
34052 have changed.
34053
34054 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
34055 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
34056
34057 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
34058 deleted a breakpoint.
34059 @end table
34060
34061 @node Annotations for Running
34062 @section Running the Program
34063 @cindex annotations for running programs
34064
34065 @findex starting annotation
34066 @findex stopping annotation
34067 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
34068 @code{step} or @code{continue},
34069
34070 @smallexample
34071 ^Z^Zstarting
34072 @end smallexample
34073
34074 is output. When the program stops,
34075
34076 @smallexample
34077 ^Z^Zstopped
34078 @end smallexample
34079
34080 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
34081 annotations describe how the program stopped.
34082
34083 @table @code
34084 @findex exited annotation
34085 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
34086 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
34087 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
34088
34089 @findex signalled annotation
34090 @findex signal-name annotation
34091 @findex signal-name-end annotation
34092 @findex signal-string annotation
34093 @findex signal-string-end annotation
34094 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
34095 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
34096 annotation continues:
34097
34098 @smallexample
34099 @var{intro-text}
34100 ^Z^Zsignal-name
34101 @var{name}
34102 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
34103 @var{middle-text}
34104 ^Z^Zsignal-string
34105 @var{string}
34106 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
34107 @var{end-text}
34108 @end smallexample
34109
34110 @noindent
34111 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
34112 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
34113 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
34114 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
34115 user's benefit and have no particular format.
34116
34117 @findex signal annotation
34118 @item ^Z^Zsignal
34119 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
34120 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
34121 terminated with it.
34122
34123 @findex breakpoint annotation
34124 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
34125 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
34126
34127 @findex watchpoint annotation
34128 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
34129 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
34130 @end table
34131
34132 @node Source Annotations
34133 @section Displaying Source
34134 @cindex annotations for source display
34135
34136 @findex source annotation
34137 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
34138
34139 @smallexample
34140 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
34141 @end smallexample
34142
34143 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
34144 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
34145 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
34146 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
34147 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
34148 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
34149 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
34150 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
34151 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
34152 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
34153 depend on the language).
34154
34155 @node JIT Interface
34156 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
34157 @cindex just-in-time compilation
34158 @cindex JIT compilation interface
34159
34160 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
34161 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
34162 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
34163 performance while maintaining platform independence.
34164
34165 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
34166 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
34167 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
34168 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
34169 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
34170 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
34171
34172 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
34173 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
34174 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
34175 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
34176 LLVM JIT.
34177
34178 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
34179 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
34180 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
34181 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
34182 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
34183 out about additional code.
34184
34185 @menu
34186 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
34187 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
34188 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
34189 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
34190 @end menu
34191
34192 @node Declarations
34193 @section JIT Declarations
34194
34195 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
34196 implement the interface:
34197
34198 @smallexample
34199 typedef enum
34200 @{
34201 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
34202 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
34203 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
34204 @} jit_actions_t;
34205
34206 struct jit_code_entry
34207 @{
34208 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
34209 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
34210 const char *symfile_addr;
34211 uint64_t symfile_size;
34212 @};
34213
34214 struct jit_descriptor
34215 @{
34216 uint32_t version;
34217 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
34218 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
34219 uint32_t action_flag;
34220 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
34221 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
34222 @};
34223
34224 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
34225 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
34226
34227 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
34228 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
34229 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
34230 @end smallexample
34231
34232 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
34233 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
34234 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
34235
34236 @node Registering Code
34237 @section Registering Code
34238
34239 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
34240
34241 @itemize @bullet
34242 @item
34243 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
34244 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
34245
34246 @item
34247 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
34248 file.
34249
34250 @item
34251 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
34252
34253 @item
34254 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
34255
34256 @item
34257 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
34258 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34259 @end itemize
34260
34261 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
34262 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
34263 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
34264 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
34265
34266 @node Unregistering Code
34267 @section Unregistering Code
34268
34269 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
34270
34271 @itemize @bullet
34272 @item
34273 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
34274
34275 @item
34276 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
34277
34278 @item
34279 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
34280 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34281 @end itemize
34282
34283 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
34284 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
34285
34286 @node Custom Debug Info
34287 @section Custom Debug Info
34288 @cindex custom JIT debug info
34289 @cindex JIT debug info reader
34290
34291 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
34292 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
34293 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34294 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34295 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34296 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34297 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34298 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34299 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34300
34301 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34302 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34303 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34304 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34305 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34306 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34307 compiler.
34308
34309 @menu
34310 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34311 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34312 @end menu
34313
34314 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34315 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34316 @kindex jit-reader-load
34317 @kindex jit-reader-unload
34318
34319 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34320 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34321
34322 @table @code
34323 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34324 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
34325 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34326 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34327 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34328 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34329 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
34330
34331 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34332 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34333 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34334 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34335 @code{jit-reader-load}.
34336
34337 @item jit-reader-unload
34338 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34339
34340 @end table
34341
34342 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34343 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34344 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34345
34346 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34347 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34348
34349 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34350 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34351 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34352 the system include directory.
34353
34354 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34355 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34356 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34357
34358 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34359 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34360
34361 @findex gdb_init_reader
34362 @smallexample
34363 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34364 @end smallexample
34365
34366 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34367
34368 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34369 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34370 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34371 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34372 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34373 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34374
34375 @smallexample
34376 struct gdb_reader_funcs
34377 @{
34378 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34379 int reader_version;
34380
34381 /* For use by the reader. */
34382 void *priv_data;
34383
34384 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34385 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34386 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34387 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34388 @};
34389 @end smallexample
34390
34391 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34392 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34393
34394 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34395 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34396 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34397 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34398 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34399 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34400 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34401 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34402 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34403 target's address space.
34404
34405 @node In-Process Agent
34406 @chapter In-Process Agent
34407 @cindex debugging agent
34408 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34409 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34410 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34411 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34412 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34413 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34414 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34415 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34416 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34417 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34418 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34419 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34420 behavior without interrupting it.
34421
34422 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34423 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34424 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34425 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34426 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34427 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34428 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34429 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34430 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34431
34432 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34433 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34434 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34435 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34436
34437 @anchor{Control Agent}
34438 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34439 debugging with the following commands:
34440
34441 @table @code
34442 @kindex set agent on
34443 @item set agent on
34444 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34445 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34446 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34447 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34448 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34449 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34450
34451 @kindex set agent off
34452 @item set agent off
34453 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34454 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34455
34456 @kindex show agent
34457 @item show agent
34458 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34459 the in-process agent.
34460 @end table
34461
34462 @menu
34463 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
34464 @end menu
34465
34466 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
34467 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
34468 @cindex in-process agent protocol
34469
34470 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34471 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34472 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34473 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34474 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34475 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34476 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34477 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34478 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34479
34480 @menu
34481 * IPA Protocol Objects::
34482 * IPA Protocol Commands::
34483 @end menu
34484
34485 @node IPA Protocol Objects
34486 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34487 @cindex ipa protocol objects
34488
34489 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34490 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34491
34492 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34493 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34494 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34495 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34496
34497 @enumerate
34498 @item
34499 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34500 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34501 @item
34502 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34503 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34504 the other one.
34505 @end enumerate
34506
34507 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34508
34509 @enumerate
34510 @item
34511 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34512 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34513 @anchor{agent expression object}
34514 @item
34515 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34516 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34517 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34518 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
34519 @item
34520 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34521 @anchor{tracepoint object}
34522
34523 @end enumerate
34524
34525 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34526 object:
34527
34528 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34529 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34530 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34531 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34532 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34533 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34534 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34535 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34536 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34537 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34538 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34539 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34540 memory address for collecting.
34541 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34542 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34543 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34544 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34545 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34546 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34547 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34548 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34549 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34550 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34551 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34552 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34553 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34554 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34555 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34556 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34557 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34558 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34559 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34560 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34561 @ref{agent expression object}
34562 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34563 @ref{agent expression object}
34564 @item actions @tab variable
34565 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34566 @end multitable
34567
34568 @node IPA Protocol Commands
34569 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34570 @cindex ipa protocol commands
34571
34572 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34573 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34574
34575 @table @samp
34576
34577 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34578 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34579 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34580 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34581 in IPA finally.
34582
34583 Replies:
34584 @table @samp
34585 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34586 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34587 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34588 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34589 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34590 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34591 @item E @var{NN}
34592 for an error
34593
34594 @end table
34595
34596 @item close
34597 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34598 is about to kill inferiors.
34599
34600 @item qTfSTM
34601 @xref{qTfSTM}.
34602 @item qTsSTM
34603 @xref{qTsSTM}.
34604 @item qTSTMat
34605 @xref{qTSTMat}.
34606 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34607 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34608
34609 Replies:
34610 @table @samp
34611 @item E @var{NN}
34612 for an error
34613 @end table
34614 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34615 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34616 @end table
34617
34618 @node GDB Bugs
34619 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34620 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34621 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34622
34623 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34624
34625 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34626 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34627 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34628 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34629
34630 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34631 information that enables us to fix the bug.
34632
34633 @menu
34634 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34635 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34636 @end menu
34637
34638 @node Bug Criteria
34639 @section Have You Found a Bug?
34640 @cindex bug criteria
34641
34642 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34643
34644 @itemize @bullet
34645 @cindex fatal signal
34646 @cindex debugger crash
34647 @cindex crash of debugger
34648 @item
34649 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34650 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34651
34652 @cindex error on valid input
34653 @item
34654 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34655 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34656 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34657
34658 @cindex invalid input
34659 @item
34660 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34661 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34662 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34663 for traditional practice''.
34664
34665 @item
34666 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34667 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34668 @end itemize
34669
34670 @node Bug Reporting
34671 @section How to Report Bugs
34672 @cindex bug reports
34673 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34674
34675 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34676 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34677 contact that organization first.
34678
34679 You can find contact information for many support companies and
34680 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34681 distribution.
34682 @c should add a web page ref...
34683
34684 @ifset BUGURL
34685 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34686 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34687 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34688 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34689 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34690 be used.
34691
34692 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34693 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34694 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34695 @samp{bug-gdb}.
34696
34697 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34698 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34699 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34700 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34701 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34702 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34703 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34704 bug reports to the mailing list.
34705 @end ifset
34706 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34707 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34708 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34709 @end ifclear
34710 @end ifset
34711
34712 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34713 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34714 fact or leave it out, state it!
34715
34716 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34717 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34718 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34719 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34720 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34721 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34722 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34723 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34724 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34725
34726 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34727 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34728 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34729 self-contained.
34730
34731 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34732 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34733 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34734 bugs properly.
34735
34736 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34737
34738 @itemize @bullet
34739 @item
34740 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34741 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34742 version}.
34743
34744 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34745 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34746
34747 @item
34748 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34749 version number.
34750
34751 @item
34752 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
34753 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
34754 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
34755 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
34756
34757 @item
34758 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34759 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34760
34761 @item
34762 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34763 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34764 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34765 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34766 those compilers.
34767
34768 @item
34769 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34770 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34771 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34772 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34773
34774 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34775 and then we might not encounter the bug.
34776
34777 @item
34778 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34779 reproduce the bug.
34780
34781 @item
34782 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34783 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34784
34785 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34786 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34787 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34788 a chance to make a mistake.
34789
34790 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34791 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34792 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34793 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34794 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34795 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34796 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34797 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34798
34799 @pindex script
34800 @cindex recording a session script
34801 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34802 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34803 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34804 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34805
34806 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34807 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34808
34809 @item
34810 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34811 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34812 it by context, not by line number.
34813
34814 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34815 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34816
34817 @end itemize
34818
34819 Here are some things that are not necessary:
34820
34821 @itemize @bullet
34822 @item
34823 A description of the envelope of the bug.
34824
34825 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34826 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34827 changes will not affect it.
34828
34829 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34830 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34831 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34832 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34833
34834 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34835 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34836 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34837 less time, and so on.
34838
34839 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
34840 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
34841
34842 @item
34843 A patch for the bug.
34844
34845 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
34846 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
34847 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
34848 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
34849
34850 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
34851 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
34852 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
34853 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
34854
34855 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
34856 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
34857 help us to understand.
34858
34859 @item
34860 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
34861
34862 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
34863 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
34864 @end itemize
34865
34866 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
34867 @c and consists of the two following files:
34868 @c rluser.texi
34869 @c hsuser.texi
34870 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
34871 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
34872 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
34873 @include rluser.texi
34874 @include hsuser.texi
34875 @end ifclear
34876
34877 @node In Memoriam
34878 @appendix In Memoriam
34879
34880 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
34881 contributors:
34882
34883 @table @code
34884 @item Fred Fish
34885 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
34886 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
34887 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
34888
34889 @item Michael Snyder
34890 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
34891 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
34892 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
34893 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
34894 @end table
34895
34896 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
34897 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
34898
34899 @node Formatting Documentation
34900 @appendix Formatting Documentation
34901
34902 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
34903 @cindex reference card
34904 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34905 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34906 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34907 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34908 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34909 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34910
34911 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34912 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34913
34914 @smallexample
34915 make refcard.dvi
34916 @end smallexample
34917
34918 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34919 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34920 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34921 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34922 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34923
34924 @cindex documentation
34925
34926 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34927 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34928 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34929 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34930 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34931 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34932
34933 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34934 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34935 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34936 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34937 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34938 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34939 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34940 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34941
34942 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34943 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34944 @code{makeinfo}.
34945
34946 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34947 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34948 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34949
34950 @smallexample
34951 cd gdb
34952 make gdb.info
34953 @end smallexample
34954
34955 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34956 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34957 Texinfo definitions file.
34958
34959 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34960 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34961 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34962 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34963 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34964 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34965 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34966
34967 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34968 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34969 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34970 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34971 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34972 directory.
34973
34974 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34975 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34976 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34977 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34978
34979 @smallexample
34980 make gdb.dvi
34981 @end smallexample
34982
34983 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34984
34985 @node Installing GDB
34986 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34987 @cindex installation
34988
34989 @menu
34990 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34991 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34992 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34993 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34994 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34995 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34996 @end menu
34997
34998 @node Requirements
34999 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
35000 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
35001
35002 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
35003 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
35004
35005 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
35006 @table @asis
35007 @item ISO C90 compiler
35008 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
35009 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
35010
35011 @end table
35012
35013 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
35014 @table @asis
35015 @item Expat
35016 @anchor{Expat}
35017 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
35018 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
35019 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
35020 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
35021 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
35022 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
35023
35024 Expat is used for:
35025
35026 @itemize @bullet
35027 @item
35028 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35029 @item
35030 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35031 @item
35032 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35033 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35034 @item
35035 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35036 @item
35037 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35038 @item
35039 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
35040 @end itemize
35041
35042 @item zlib
35043 @cindex compressed debug sections
35044 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35045 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
35046 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
35047 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
35048 information in such binaries.
35049
35050 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
35051 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35052 @url{http://zlib.net}.
35053
35054 @item iconv
35055 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
35056 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
35057 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
35058 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
35059
35060 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
35061 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
35062 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
35063 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
35064
35065 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
35066 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
35067 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
35068
35069 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
35070 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
35071 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
35072 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
35073 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
35074 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
35075 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
35076 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
35077 @end table
35078
35079 @node Running Configure
35080 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
35081 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
35082 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
35083 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
35084 build the @code{gdb} program.
35085 @iftex
35086 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
35087 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
35088 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
35089 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
35090 @end iftex
35091
35092 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
35093 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
35094 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
35095
35096 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
35097 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
35098
35099 @table @code
35100 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
35101 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
35102
35103 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
35104 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
35105
35106 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
35107 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
35108
35109 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
35110 @sc{gnu} include files
35111
35112 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
35113 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
35114
35115 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
35116 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
35117
35118 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
35119 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
35120
35121 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
35122 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
35123
35124 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
35125 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
35126 @end table
35127
35128 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
35129 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
35130 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
35131
35132 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
35133 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
35134 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
35135 argument.
35136
35137 For example:
35138
35139 @smallexample
35140 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35141 ./configure @var{host}
35142 make
35143 @end smallexample
35144
35145 @noindent
35146 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
35147 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
35148 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
35149 correct value by examining your system.)
35150
35151 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
35152 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
35153 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
35154 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
35155
35156 @need 750
35157 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
35158 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
35159 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
35160
35161 @smallexample
35162 sh configure @var{host}
35163 @end smallexample
35164
35165 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
35166 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
35167 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
35168 @file{configure}
35169 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
35170 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
35171
35172 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
35173 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
35174 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
35175 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
35176 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
35177 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
35178 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
35179 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
35180 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35181
35182 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
35183 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
35184 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
35185 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
35186 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
35187
35188 @node Separate Objdir
35189 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
35190
35191 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
35192 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
35193 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
35194 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
35195 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
35196 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
35197 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
35198 program specified there.
35199
35200 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
35201 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
35202 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
35203 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
35204 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
35205 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
35206
35207 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
35208 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
35209
35210 @smallexample
35211 @group
35212 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35213 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
35214 cd ../gdb-sun4
35215 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
35216 make
35217 @end group
35218 @end smallexample
35219
35220 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
35221 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
35222 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
35223 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
35224 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
35225 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
35226
35227 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
35228 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
35229 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
35230 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
35231 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35232
35233 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
35234 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
35235 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
35236 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
35237 You specify a cross-debugging target by
35238 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
35239
35240 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
35241 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
35242 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
35243
35244 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
35245 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
35246 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
35247 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
35248 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
35249
35250 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
35251 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
35252 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
35253 with each other.
35254
35255 @node Config Names
35256 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
35257
35258 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
35259 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
35260 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
35261 of information in the following pattern:
35262
35263 @smallexample
35264 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
35265 @end smallexample
35266
35267 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
35268 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
35269 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
35270
35271 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
35272 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
35273 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
35274 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
35275 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
35276 abbreviations---for example:
35277
35278 @smallexample
35279 % sh config.sub i386-linux
35280 i386-pc-linux-gnu
35281 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
35282 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
35283 % sh config.sub hp9k700
35284 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
35285 % sh config.sub sun4
35286 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
35287 % sh config.sub sun3
35288 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
35289 % sh config.sub i986v
35290 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
35291 @end smallexample
35292
35293 @noindent
35294 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
35295 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
35296
35297 @node Configure Options
35298 @section @file{configure} Options
35299
35300 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
35301 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35302 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35303 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35304
35305 @smallexample
35306 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35307 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35308 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35309 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35310 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35311 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35312 @var{host}
35313 @end smallexample
35314
35315 @noindent
35316 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35317 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35318 @samp{--}.
35319
35320 @table @code
35321 @item --help
35322 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35323
35324 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
35325 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35326 @file{@var{dir}}.
35327
35328 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35329 Configure the source to install programs under directory
35330 @file{@var{dir}}.
35331
35332 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35333 @need 2000
35334 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35335 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35336 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35337 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35338 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35339 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35340 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35341 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35342 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35343 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35344 @var{dirname}.
35345
35346 @item --norecursion
35347 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35348 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35349
35350 @item --target=@var{target}
35351 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35352 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35353 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35354
35355 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35356
35357 @item @var{host} @dots{}
35358 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35359
35360 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35361 @end table
35362
35363 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35364 needed for special purposes only.
35365
35366 @node System-wide configuration
35367 @section System-wide configuration and settings
35368 @cindex system-wide init file
35369
35370 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35371 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35372 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35373
35374 Here is the corresponding configure option:
35375
35376 @table @code
35377 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35378 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35379 @var{file}.
35380 @end table
35381
35382 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35383 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35384
35385 @itemize @bullet
35386 @item
35387 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35388 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35389 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35390 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35391 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35392 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35393
35394 @item
35395 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35396 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35397 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35398 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35399 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35400 @end itemize
35401
35402 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35403 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35404 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35405 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35406 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35407 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35408 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35409 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35410 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35411 reread.
35412
35413 @node Maintenance Commands
35414 @appendix Maintenance Commands
35415 @cindex maintenance commands
35416 @cindex internal commands
35417
35418 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35419 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35420 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35421 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35422 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35423
35424 @table @code
35425 @kindex maint agent
35426 @kindex maint agent-eval
35427 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35428 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35429 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35430 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35431 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35432 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35433 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35434 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35435 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35436 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35437 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35438 addition and return the sum.
35439 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35440 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35441
35442 @kindex maint agent-printf
35443 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35444 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35445 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35446 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35447 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
35448
35449 @kindex maint info breakpoints
35450 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35451 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35452 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35453 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35454 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35455 is shown:
35456
35457 @table @code
35458 @item breakpoint
35459 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35460
35461 @item watchpoint
35462 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35463
35464 @item longjmp
35465 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35466 @code{longjmp} calls.
35467
35468 @item longjmp resume
35469 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35470
35471 @item until
35472 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35473
35474 @item finish
35475 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35476
35477 @item shlib events
35478 Shared library events.
35479
35480 @end table
35481
35482 @kindex maint info bfds
35483 @item maint info bfds
35484 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
35485 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
35486
35487 @kindex set displaced-stepping
35488 @kindex show displaced-stepping
35489 @cindex displaced stepping support
35490 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35491 @item set displaced-stepping
35492 @itemx show displaced-stepping
35493 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35494 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35495 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35496 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35497 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35498
35499 @table @code
35500 @item set displaced-stepping on
35501 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35502 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35503
35504 @item set displaced-stepping off
35505 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35506 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35507
35508 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35509 @item set displaced-stepping auto
35510 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35511 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35512 architecture supports displaced stepping.
35513 @end table
35514
35515 @kindex maint check-symtabs
35516 @item maint check-symtabs
35517 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
35518
35519 @kindex maint cplus first_component
35520 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35521 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35522
35523 @kindex maint cplus namespace
35524 @item maint cplus namespace
35525 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35526
35527 @kindex maint demangle
35528 @item maint demangle @var{name}
35529 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
35530
35531 @kindex maint deprecate
35532 @kindex maint undeprecate
35533 @cindex deprecated commands
35534 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35535 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35536 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35537 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35538 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35539 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35540 the replacement as part of the warning.
35541
35542 @kindex maint dump-me
35543 @item maint dump-me
35544 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35545 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35546 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35547 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35548
35549 @kindex maint internal-error
35550 @kindex maint internal-warning
35551 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35552 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35553 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
35554 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
35555 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
35556 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
35557 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
35558 @value{GDBN} session.
35559
35560 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35561 used as the text of the error or warning message.
35562
35563 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35564
35565 @smallexample
35566 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35567 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35568 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35569 debugging may prove unreliable.
35570 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35571 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35572 (@value{GDBP})
35573 @end smallexample
35574
35575 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35576 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35577
35578 @kindex maint set internal-error
35579 @kindex maint show internal-error
35580 @kindex maint set internal-warning
35581 @kindex maint show internal-warning
35582 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35583 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35584 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35585 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35586 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35587 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35588 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35589 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35590 described in the table below.
35591
35592 @table @samp
35593 @item quit
35594 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35595 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35596
35597 @item corefile
35598 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35599 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35600 @end table
35601
35602 @kindex maint packet
35603 @item maint packet @var{text}
35604 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35605 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35606 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35607 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35608 checksum.
35609
35610 @kindex maint print architecture
35611 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35612 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35613 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35614
35615 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
35616 @item maint print c-tdesc
35617 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35618 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
35619 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
35620
35621 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
35622 @item maint print dummy-frames
35623 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35624
35625 @smallexample
35626 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35627 @dots{}
35628 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35629 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
35630 58 return (a + b);
35631 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35632 @dots{}
35633 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
35634 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
35635 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
35636 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
35637 (@value{GDBP})
35638 @end smallexample
35639
35640 Takes an optional file parameter.
35641
35642 @kindex maint print registers
35643 @kindex maint print raw-registers
35644 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
35645 @kindex maint print register-groups
35646 @kindex maint print remote-registers
35647 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35648 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35649 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35650 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35651 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35652 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35653
35654 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35655 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35656 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35657 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35658 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35659 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35660 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35661 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
35662 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
35663
35664 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35665 write the information.
35666
35667 @kindex maint print reggroups
35668 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35669 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35670 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35671 information.
35672
35673 The register groups info looks like this:
35674
35675 @smallexample
35676 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
35677 Group Type
35678 general user
35679 float user
35680 all user
35681 vector user
35682 system user
35683 save internal
35684 restore internal
35685 @end smallexample
35686
35687 @kindex flushregs
35688 @item flushregs
35689 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
35690
35691 @kindex maint print objfiles
35692 @cindex info for known object files
35693 @item maint print objfiles
35694 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
35695 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
35696 and symtabs.
35697
35698 @kindex maint print section-scripts
35699 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
35700 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
35701 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
35702 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
35703 matching @var{regexp}.
35704 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
35705 and the full path if known.
35706 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
35707
35708 @kindex maint print statistics
35709 @cindex bcache statistics
35710 @item maint print statistics
35711 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
35712 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
35713 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
35714 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
35715 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
35716 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
35717 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
35718 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
35719 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
35720 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
35721 lengths.
35722
35723 @kindex maint print target-stack
35724 @cindex target stack description
35725 @item maint print target-stack
35726 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
35727 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
35728 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
35729 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
35730 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
35731 address.
35732
35733 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
35734 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
35735
35736 @kindex maint print type
35737 @cindex type chain of a data type
35738 @item maint print type @var{expr}
35739 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
35740 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
35741 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
35742 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
35743 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
35744
35745 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35746 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35747 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35748 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35749 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
35750 information.
35751
35752 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
35753 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
35754 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
35755 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
35756 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
35757 always see the disassembly form.
35758
35759 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
35760
35761 @smallexample
35762 (gdb) info addr argc
35763 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
35764 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
35765 @end smallexample
35766
35767 For more information on these expressions, see
35768 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
35769
35770 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35771 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35772 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35773 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35774 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
35775
35776 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
35777 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
35778 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
35779 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
35780 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
35781 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
35782 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
35783 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
35784 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
35785
35786 @kindex maint set profile
35787 @kindex maint show profile
35788 @cindex profiling GDB
35789 @item maint set profile
35790 @itemx maint show profile
35791 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
35792
35793 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
35794 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
35795 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
35796 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
35797 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
35798 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
35799 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
35800
35801 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
35802 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
35803
35804 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
35805 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
35806 @cindex hardware debug registers
35807 @item maint set show-debug-regs
35808 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
35809 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
35810 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
35811 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
35812 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
35813 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
35814
35815 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
35816 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
35817 @item maint set show-all-tib
35818 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
35819 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
35820 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
35821 command.
35822
35823 @kindex maint set per-command
35824 @kindex maint show per-command
35825 @item maint set per-command
35826 @itemx maint show per-command
35827 @cindex resources used by commands
35828
35829 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
35830 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
35831
35832 @table @code
35833 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
35834 @itemx maint show per-command space
35835 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
35836 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
35837 took, following the command's own output.
35838 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35839 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35840
35841 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
35842 @itemx maint show per-command time
35843 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
35844 for each command.
35845 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
35846 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
35847 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
35848 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
35849 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
35850 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
35851 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
35852 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
35853 spent by the program been debugged.
35854 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35855 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35856
35857 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
35858 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
35859 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
35860 for each command.
35861 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
35862
35863 @enumerate a
35864 @item
35865 number of symbol tables
35866 @item
35867 number of primary symbol tables
35868 @item
35869 number of blocks in the blockvector
35870 @end enumerate
35871 @end table
35872
35873 @kindex maint space
35874 @cindex memory used by commands
35875 @item maint space @var{value}
35876 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
35877 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35878
35879 @kindex maint time
35880 @cindex time of command execution
35881 @item maint time @var{value}
35882 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
35883 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35884
35885 @kindex maint translate-address
35886 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
35887 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
35888 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
35889 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
35890 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
35891 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
35892 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
35893
35894 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
35895 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
35896 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
35897
35898 @end table
35899
35900 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
35901 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
35902
35903 @table @code
35904 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
35905 @kindex set watchdog
35906 @cindex watchdog timer
35907 @cindex timeout for commands
35908 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
35909 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
35910 reports and error and the command is aborted.
35911
35912 @item show watchdog
35913 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
35914 @end table
35915
35916 @node Remote Protocol
35917 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
35918
35919 @menu
35920 * Overview::
35921 * Packets::
35922 * Stop Reply Packets::
35923 * General Query Packets::
35924 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
35925 * Tracepoint Packets::
35926 * Host I/O Packets::
35927 * Interrupts::
35928 * Notification Packets::
35929 * Remote Non-Stop::
35930 * Packet Acknowledgment::
35931 * Examples::
35932 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
35933 * Library List Format::
35934 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
35935 * Memory Map Format::
35936 * Thread List Format::
35937 * Traceframe Info Format::
35938 * Branch Trace Format::
35939 @end menu
35940
35941 @node Overview
35942 @section Overview
35943
35944 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
35945 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
35946 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
35947 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
35948
35949 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
35950 transmitted and received data, respectively.
35951
35952 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
35953 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
35954 @cindex remote serial protocol
35955 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35956 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35957 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35958 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35959 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35960
35961 @smallexample
35962 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35963 @end smallexample
35964 @noindent
35965
35966 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35967 @noindent
35968 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35969 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35970 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35971
35972 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35973 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35974
35975 @smallexample
35976 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35977 @end smallexample
35978
35979 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35980 @noindent
35981 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35982 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35983 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35984
35985 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35986 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35987 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35988 retransmission):
35989
35990 @smallexample
35991 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35992 <- @code{+}
35993 @end smallexample
35994 @noindent
35995
35996 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35997 once a connection is established.
35998 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35999
36000 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
36001 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
36002 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
36003 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
36004 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
36005 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
36006 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
36007
36008 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
36009 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
36010 exceptions).
36011
36012 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
36013 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
36014 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
36015 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
36016
36017 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
36018 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
36019 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
36020
36021 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
36022 @anchor{Binary Data}
36023 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
36024 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36025 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36026 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36027 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36028 binary data.
36029
36030 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36031 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36032 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36033 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36034 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36035 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36036 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36037 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36038 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36039 (described next).
36040
36041 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36042 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36043 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36044 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36045 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36046 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36047 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36048 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36049 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36050 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36051 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
36052 3}} more times.
36053
36054 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36055 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36056 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36057 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36058 @samp{0*"00}.
36059
36060 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36061 error number. That number is not well defined.
36062
36063 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36064 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36065 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36066 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
36067 on that response.
36068
36069 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
36070 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
36071 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
36072 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
36073 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
36074 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
36075
36076 @node Packets
36077 @section Packets
36078
36079 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
36080 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
36081 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
36082 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
36083
36084 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
36085 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
36086 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
36087 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
36088 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
36089 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
36090 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
36091 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
36092 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
36093 @var{baz}.
36094
36095 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
36096 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
36097 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
36098 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
36099 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
36100 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
36101 pick any thread.
36102
36103 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
36104 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
36105 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
36106 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
36107 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
36108 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36109 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36110 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36111 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36112 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36113 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36114 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36115 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36116
36117 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36118 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36119 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36120 more information.
36121
36122 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36123 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36124
36125 Here are the packet descriptions.
36126
36127 @table @samp
36128
36129 @item !
36130 @cindex @samp{!} packet
36131 @anchor{extended mode}
36132 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36133 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36134 debugged.
36135
36136 Reply:
36137 @table @samp
36138 @item OK
36139 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36140 @end table
36141
36142 @item ?
36143 @cindex @samp{?} packet
36144 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36145 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36146 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36147
36148 Reply:
36149 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36150
36151 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36152 @cindex @samp{A} packet
36153 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36154 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36155 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36156
36157 Reply:
36158 @table @samp
36159 @item OK
36160 The arguments were set.
36161 @item E @var{NN}
36162 An error occurred.
36163 @end table
36164
36165 @item b @var{baud}
36166 @cindex @samp{b} packet
36167 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36168 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36169
36170 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36171 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36172 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
36173
36174 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
36175 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
36176 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
36177 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
36178 of view, nothing actually happened.}
36179
36180 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
36181 @cindex @samp{B} packet
36182 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
36183 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
36184
36185 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
36186 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
36187
36188 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
36189 @anchor{bc}
36190 @item bc
36191 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
36192 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36193
36194 Reply:
36195 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36196
36197 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
36198 @anchor{bs}
36199 @item bs
36200 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
36201 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36202
36203 Reply:
36204 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36205
36206 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36207 @cindex @samp{c} packet
36208 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
36209 resume at current address.
36210
36211 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36212 packet}.
36213
36214 Reply:
36215 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36216
36217 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36218 @cindex @samp{C} packet
36219 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
36220 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
36221
36222 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36223 packet}.
36224
36225 Reply:
36226 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36227
36228 @item d
36229 @cindex @samp{d} packet
36230 Toggle debug flag.
36231
36232 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
36233 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
36234
36235 @item D
36236 @itemx D;@var{pid}
36237 @cindex @samp{D} packet
36238 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
36239 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
36240 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
36241
36242 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
36243 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
36244 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
36245 big-endian hex string.
36246
36247 Reply:
36248 @table @samp
36249 @item OK
36250 for success
36251 @item E @var{NN}
36252 for an error
36253 @end table
36254
36255 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
36256 @cindex @samp{F} packet
36257 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
36258 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
36259 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
36260
36261 @item g
36262 @anchor{read registers packet}
36263 @cindex @samp{g} packet
36264 Read general registers.
36265
36266 Reply:
36267 @table @samp
36268 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36269 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
36270 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
36271 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
36272 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
36273 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
36274 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
36275
36276 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
36277 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
36278 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
36279 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
36280 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
36281 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
36282 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
36283 have been collected, and both have zero value:
36284
36285 @smallexample
36286 -> @code{g}
36287 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
36288 @end smallexample
36289
36290 @item E @var{NN}
36291 for an error.
36292 @end table
36293
36294 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
36295 @cindex @samp{G} packet
36296 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
36297 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
36298
36299 Reply:
36300 @table @samp
36301 @item OK
36302 for success
36303 @item E @var{NN}
36304 for an error
36305 @end table
36306
36307 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
36308 @cindex @samp{H} packet
36309 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
36310 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
36311 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
36312 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
36313 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
36314 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
36315 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36316
36317 Reply:
36318 @table @samp
36319 @item OK
36320 for success
36321 @item E @var{NN}
36322 for an error
36323 @end table
36324
36325 @c FIXME: JTC:
36326 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
36327 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
36328 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
36329 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
36330 @c described. For example:
36331 @c
36332 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36333 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
36334 @c otherwise returns current registers.
36335 @c
36336 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36337 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
36338 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
36339
36340 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36341 @anchor{cycle step packet}
36342 @cindex @samp{i} packet
36343 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36344 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36345 step starting at that address.
36346
36347 @item I
36348 @cindex @samp{I} packet
36349 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36350 step packet}.
36351
36352 @item k
36353 @cindex @samp{k} packet
36354 Kill request.
36355
36356 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
36357 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
36358 thread?)}.
36359
36360 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36361 @cindex @samp{m} packet
36362 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36363 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
36364
36365 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36366 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36367 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36368 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36369 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36370 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36371 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
36372 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36373
36374 Reply:
36375 @table @samp
36376 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36377 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
36378 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
36379 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36380 @item E @var{NN}
36381 @var{NN} is errno
36382 @end table
36383
36384 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36385 @cindex @samp{M} packet
36386 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36387 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
36388 hexadecimal number.
36389
36390 Reply:
36391 @table @samp
36392 @item OK
36393 for success
36394 @item E @var{NN}
36395 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36396 written).
36397 @end table
36398
36399 @item p @var{n}
36400 @cindex @samp{p} packet
36401 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36402 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36403 register value is encoded.
36404
36405 Reply:
36406 @table @samp
36407 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36408 the register's value
36409 @item E @var{NN}
36410 for an error
36411 @item @w{}
36412 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36413 @end table
36414
36415 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36416 @anchor{write register packet}
36417 @cindex @samp{P} packet
36418 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36419 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36420 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36421
36422 Reply:
36423 @table @samp
36424 @item OK
36425 for success
36426 @item E @var{NN}
36427 for an error
36428 @end table
36429
36430 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36431 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36432 @cindex @samp{q} packet
36433 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
36434 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36435 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36436
36437 @item r
36438 @cindex @samp{r} packet
36439 Reset the entire system.
36440
36441 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36442
36443 @item R @var{XX}
36444 @cindex @samp{R} packet
36445 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36446 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36447
36448 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36449
36450 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36451 @cindex @samp{s} packet
36452 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
36453 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36454
36455 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36456 packet}.
36457
36458 Reply:
36459 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36460
36461 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36462 @anchor{step with signal packet}
36463 @cindex @samp{S} packet
36464 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36465 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36466
36467 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36468 packet}.
36469
36470 Reply:
36471 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36472
36473 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36474 @cindex @samp{t} packet
36475 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36476 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
36477 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
36478
36479 @item T @var{thread-id}
36480 @cindex @samp{T} packet
36481 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36482
36483 Reply:
36484 @table @samp
36485 @item OK
36486 thread is still alive
36487 @item E @var{NN}
36488 thread is dead
36489 @end table
36490
36491 @item v
36492 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36493 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36494
36495 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
36496 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36497 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36498 The process ID is a
36499 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36500 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36501 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36502
36503 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36504 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36505 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36506 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36507 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36508 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36509 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36510 @c stopping or restarting threads.
36511
36512 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36513
36514 Reply:
36515 @table @samp
36516 @item E @var{nn}
36517 for an error
36518 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36519 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36520 @item OK
36521 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36522 @end table
36523
36524 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36525 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36526 @anchor{vCont packet}
36527 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36528 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
36529 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
36530 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
36531 in their current state in non-stop mode.
36532 Specifying multiple
36533 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
36534 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36535
36536 Currently supported actions are:
36537
36538 @table @samp
36539 @item c
36540 Continue.
36541 @item C @var{sig}
36542 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36543 @item s
36544 Step.
36545 @item S @var{sig}
36546 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36547 @item t
36548 Stop.
36549 @end table
36550
36551 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36552 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36553 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
36554
36555 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
36556 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
36557 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
36558 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
36559 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
36560 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
36561 as an implementation detail.
36562
36563 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
36564 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
36565 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
36566 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
36567 @var{thread-id}.
36568
36569 Reply:
36570 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36571
36572 @item vCont?
36573 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
36574 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
36575
36576 Reply:
36577 @table @samp
36578 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
36579 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
36580 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
36581 @item @w{}
36582 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
36583 @end table
36584
36585 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
36586 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
36587 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
36588 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
36589
36590 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
36591 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
36592 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
36593 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
36594 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
36595 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
36596 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
36597 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
36598 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36599 packet is received.
36600
36601 Reply:
36602 @table @samp
36603 @item OK
36604 for success
36605 @item E @var{NN}
36606 for an error
36607 @end table
36608
36609 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36610 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
36611 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
36612 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
36613 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
36614 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
36615 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
36616 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
36617 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
36618 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
36619 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
36620 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
36621
36622
36623 Reply:
36624 @table @samp
36625 @item OK
36626 for success
36627 @item E.memtype
36628 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
36629 @item E @var{NN}
36630 for an error
36631 @end table
36632
36633 @item vFlashDone
36634 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
36635 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
36636 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
36637 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
36638 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
36639 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36640 request is completed.
36641
36642 @item vKill;@var{pid}
36643 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
36644 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
36645 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
36646 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
36647 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36648
36649 Reply:
36650 @table @samp
36651 @item E @var{nn}
36652 for an error
36653 @item OK
36654 for success
36655 @end table
36656
36657 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
36658 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
36659 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
36660 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
36661 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
36662 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
36663 state.
36664
36665 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
36666
36667 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36668
36669 Reply:
36670 @table @samp
36671 @item E @var{nn}
36672 for an error
36673 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36674 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36675 @end table
36676
36677 @item vStopped
36678 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
36679 @xref{Notification Packets}.
36680
36681 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36682 @anchor{X packet}
36683 @cindex @samp{X} packet
36684 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
36685 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
36686 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36687
36688 Reply:
36689 @table @samp
36690 @item OK
36691 for success
36692 @item E @var{NN}
36693 for an error
36694 @end table
36695
36696 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36697 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36698 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
36699 @cindex @samp{z} packet
36700 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
36701 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
36702 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
36703
36704 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
36705 separately.
36706
36707 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
36708 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
36709 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
36710 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
36711 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
36712 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
36713
36714 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36715 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36716 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
36717 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
36718 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
36719 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
36720
36721 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
36722 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
36723 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
36724 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
36725 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
36726 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
36727 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
36728 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
36729 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
36730 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
36731
36732 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
36733 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
36734
36735 @table @samp
36736
36737 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36738 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36739 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36740
36741 @end table
36742
36743 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
36744 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36745 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
36746 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
36747 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
36748 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
36749 separators. Each expression has the following form:
36750
36751 @table @samp
36752
36753 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36754 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36755 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36756
36757 @end table
36758
36759 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
36760
36761 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
36762 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
36763 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
36764 target, is not defined.}
36765
36766 Reply:
36767 @table @samp
36768 @item OK
36769 success
36770 @item @w{}
36771 not supported
36772 @item E @var{NN}
36773 for an error
36774 @end table
36775
36776 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36777 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36778 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
36779 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
36780 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
36781 address @var{addr}.
36782
36783 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
36784 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
36785 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
36786
36787 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
36788 movement.}
36789
36790 Reply:
36791 @table @samp
36792 @item OK
36793 success
36794 @item @w{}
36795 not supported
36796 @item E @var{NN}
36797 for an error
36798 @end table
36799
36800 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36801 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36802 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
36803 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
36804 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36805 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36806
36807 Reply:
36808 @table @samp
36809 @item OK
36810 success
36811 @item @w{}
36812 not supported
36813 @item E @var{NN}
36814 for an error
36815 @end table
36816
36817 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36818 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36819 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
36820 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
36821 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36822 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36823
36824 Reply:
36825 @table @samp
36826 @item OK
36827 success
36828 @item @w{}
36829 not supported
36830 @item E @var{NN}
36831 for an error
36832 @end table
36833
36834 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36835 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36836 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
36837 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
36838 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36839 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36840
36841 Reply:
36842 @table @samp
36843 @item OK
36844 success
36845 @item @w{}
36846 not supported
36847 @item E @var{NN}
36848 for an error
36849 @end table
36850
36851 @end table
36852
36853 @node Stop Reply Packets
36854 @section Stop Reply Packets
36855 @cindex stop reply packets
36856
36857 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
36858 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
36859 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
36860 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
36861 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
36862 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
36863 @value{GDBN} source code.
36864
36865 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
36866 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
36867 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
36868 components.
36869
36870 @table @samp
36871
36872 @item S @var{AA}
36873 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36874 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
36875 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
36876
36877 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
36878 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
36879 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36880 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
36881 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
36882 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
36883 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
36884 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
36885
36886 @itemize @bullet
36887 @item
36888 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
36889 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
36890 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
36891 two-digit hex number.
36892
36893 @item
36894 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
36895 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36896
36897 @item
36898 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
36899 the core on which the stop event was detected.
36900
36901 @item
36902 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
36903 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
36904 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
36905 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
36906
36907 @item
36908 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
36909 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
36910 future.
36911 @end itemize
36912
36913 The currently defined stop reasons are:
36914
36915 @table @samp
36916 @item watch
36917 @itemx rwatch
36918 @itemx awatch
36919 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
36920 hex.
36921
36922 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
36923 @item library
36924 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
36925 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
36926 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
36927
36928 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
36929 @item replaylog
36930 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
36931 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
36932 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
36933 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
36934 for more information.
36935 @end table
36936
36937 @item W @var{AA}
36938 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36939 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
36940 applicable to certain targets.
36941
36942 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
36943 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
36944 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36945 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36946
36947 @item X @var{AA}
36948 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36949 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
36950
36951 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
36952 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36953 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36954 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36955
36956 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36957 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36958 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36959 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36960 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36961
36962 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36963 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36964 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36965 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36966 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36967 system calls.
36968
36969 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36970 this very system call.
36971
36972 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36973 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36974 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36975 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36976 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36977 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36978
36979 @end table
36980
36981 @node General Query Packets
36982 @section General Query Packets
36983 @cindex remote query requests
36984
36985 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36986 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36987 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36988 sending information to and from the stub.
36989
36990 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36991 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36992 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36993 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36994 conventions:
36995
36996 @itemize @bullet
36997 @item
36998 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36999 @item
37000 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
37001 letter.
37002 @item
37003 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
37004 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
37005 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
37006 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
37007 @end itemize
37008
37009 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
37010 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
37011 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
37012 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
37013 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
37014 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
37015 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
37016 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
37017 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
37018 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
37019 packet.}.
37020
37021 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
37022 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
37023 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
37024 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37025 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37026
37027 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37028
37029 @table @samp
37030
37031 @item QAgent:1
37032 @itemx QAgent:0
37033 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37034 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37035
37036 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37037 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37038 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37039 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37040 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37041 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37042 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37043 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37044 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37045 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37046 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37047
37048 @item qC
37049 @cindex current thread, remote request
37050 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
37051 Return the current thread ID.
37052
37053 Reply:
37054 @table @samp
37055 @item QC @var{thread-id}
37056 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37057 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37058 @item @r{(anything else)}
37059 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37060 @end table
37061
37062 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37063 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37064 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37065 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37066 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
37067 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
37068 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
37069
37070 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
37071 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
37072 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
37073 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
37074 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
37075 detect trailing zeros.
37076
37077 Reply:
37078 @table @samp
37079 @item E @var{NN}
37080 An error (such as memory fault)
37081 @item C @var{crc32}
37082 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
37083 @end table
37084
37085 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
37086 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
37087 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
37088 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
37089 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
37090 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
37091 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
37092 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
37093 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
37094 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
37095 randomization.
37096
37097 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37098
37099 Reply:
37100 @table @samp
37101 @item OK
37102 The request succeeded.
37103
37104 @item E @var{nn}
37105 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37106
37107 @item @w{}
37108 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37109 by the stub.
37110 @end table
37111
37112 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37113 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37114 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37115 address space randomization.
37116
37117 @item qfThreadInfo
37118 @itemx qsThreadInfo
37119 @cindex list active threads, remote request
37120 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37121 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37122 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37123 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37124 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37125 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37126 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37127 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37128
37129 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37130
37131 Reply:
37132 @table @samp
37133 @item m @var{thread-id}
37134 A single thread ID
37135 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37136 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37137 @item l
37138 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37139 @end table
37140
37141 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37142 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37143 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37144 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37145 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37146 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37147 fields.
37148
37149 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37150 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37151 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37152 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37153 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37154
37155 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37156 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37157
37158 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37159 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37160 information associated with the variable.)
37161
37162 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37163 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37164 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37165 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37166 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37167 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37168
37169 Reply:
37170 @table @samp
37171 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37172 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
37173 local storage requested.
37174
37175 @item E @var{nn}
37176 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37177
37178 @item @w{}
37179 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37180 @end table
37181
37182 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
37183 @cindex get thread information block address
37184 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
37185 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
37186
37187 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
37188
37189 Reply:
37190 @table @samp
37191 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37192 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
37193 thread information block.
37194
37195 @item E @var{nn}
37196 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
37197 address could not be retrieved.
37198
37199 @item @w{}
37200 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37201 @end table
37202
37203 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
37204 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
37205 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
37206 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
37207 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
37208 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
37209 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
37210
37211 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
37212
37213 Reply:
37214 @table @samp
37215 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
37216 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
37217 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
37218 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
37219 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
37220 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
37221 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
37222 @end table
37223
37224 @item qOffsets
37225 @cindex section offsets, remote request
37226 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
37227 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
37228 image.
37229
37230 Reply:
37231 @table @samp
37232 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
37233 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
37234 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
37235 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
37236 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
37237 segments by the supplied offsets.
37238
37239 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
37240 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
37241 to the @code{Bss} section.}
37242
37243 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
37244 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
37245 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
37246 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
37247 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
37248 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
37249 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
37250 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
37251 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
37252 @end table
37253
37254 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
37255 @cindex thread information, remote request
37256 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
37257 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
37258 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
37259 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
37260
37261 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
37262 (see below).
37263
37264 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
37265
37266 @item QNonStop:1
37267 @itemx QNonStop:0
37268 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
37269 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
37270 @anchor{QNonStop}
37271 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
37272 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
37273
37274 Reply:
37275 @table @samp
37276 @item OK
37277 The request succeeded.
37278
37279 @item E @var{nn}
37280 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37281
37282 @item @w{}
37283 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
37284 the stub.
37285 @end table
37286
37287 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37288 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37289 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
37290 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
37291
37292 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37293 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
37294 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37295 @anchor{QPassSignals}
37296 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
37297 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37298 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37299 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
37300 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
37301 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
37302 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
37303 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
37304 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
37305
37306 Reply:
37307 @table @samp
37308 @item OK
37309 The request succeeded.
37310
37311 @item E @var{nn}
37312 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37313
37314 @item @w{}
37315 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
37316 the stub.
37317 @end table
37318
37319 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
37320 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
37321 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37322 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37323
37324 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37325 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
37326 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
37327 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
37328 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
37329 Others should be silently discarded.
37330
37331 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
37332 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
37333 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
37334 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
37335 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
37336 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
37337 signals.
37338
37339 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
37340 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
37341
37342 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37343 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37344 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
37345 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
37346 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37347
37348 Reply:
37349 @table @samp
37350 @item OK
37351 The request succeeded.
37352
37353 @item E @var{nn}
37354 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37355
37356 @item @w{}
37357 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
37358 by the stub.
37359 @end table
37360
37361 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
37362 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
37363 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37364 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37365
37366 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
37367 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
37368 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
37369 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
37370 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
37371 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
37372 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
37373 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
37374 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
37375
37376 Reply:
37377 @table @samp
37378 @item OK
37379 A command response with no output.
37380 @item @var{OUTPUT}
37381 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
37382 @item E @var{NN}
37383 Indicate a badly formed request.
37384 @item @w{}
37385 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
37386 @end table
37387
37388 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
37389 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37390 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37391 packets.)
37392
37393 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
37394 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
37395 @ifnotinfo
37396 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
37397 @end ifnotinfo
37398 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
37399 @anchor{qSearch memory}
37400 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
37401 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
37402 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
37403
37404 Reply:
37405 @table @samp
37406 @item 0
37407 The pattern was not found.
37408 @item 1,address
37409 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
37410 @item E @var{NN}
37411 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
37412 @item @w{}
37413 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
37414 @end table
37415
37416 @item QStartNoAckMode
37417 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
37418 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
37419 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
37420 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
37421
37422 Reply:
37423 @table @samp
37424 @item OK
37425 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
37426 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
37427 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
37428 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
37429 @item @w{}
37430 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
37431 @end table
37432
37433 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
37434 @cindex supported packets, remote query
37435 @cindex features of the remote protocol
37436 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
37437 @anchor{qSupported}
37438 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
37439 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
37440 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
37441 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
37442 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
37443 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
37444 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
37445 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
37446 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
37447 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
37448 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
37449 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
37450 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
37451 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
37452
37453 Reply:
37454 @table @samp
37455 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
37456 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
37457 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
37458 possible forms).
37459 @item @w{}
37460 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
37461 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
37462 @end table
37463
37464 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
37465 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
37466 are:
37467
37468 @table @samp
37469 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
37470 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
37471 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
37472 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
37473 @item @var{name}+
37474 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
37475 need an associated value.
37476 @item @var{name}-
37477 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
37478 @item @var{name}?
37479 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
37480 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
37481 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
37482 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
37483 @end table
37484
37485 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
37486 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
37487 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
37488 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
37489 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
37490
37491 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
37492 are defined:
37493
37494 @table @samp
37495 @item multiprocess
37496 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
37497 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37498 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37499 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37500 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
37501
37502 @item xmlRegisters
37503 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
37504 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
37505 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
37506 description.
37507
37508 @item qRelocInsn
37509 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
37510 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37511 instruction reply packet}).
37512 @end table
37513
37514 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
37515 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
37516 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
37517 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
37518 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
37519 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
37520 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
37521 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
37522 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
37523 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
37524 all the features it supports.
37525
37526 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
37527 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
37528
37529 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
37530 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
37531 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
37532 form response.
37533
37534 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
37535 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
37536 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
37537 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
37538
37539 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
37540 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
37541 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
37542 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
37543 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
37544
37545 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
37546
37547 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
37548 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
37549 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
37550 @item Feature Name
37551 @tab Value Required
37552 @tab Default
37553 @tab Probe Allowed
37554
37555 @item @samp{PacketSize}
37556 @tab Yes
37557 @tab @samp{-}
37558 @tab No
37559
37560 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
37561 @tab No
37562 @tab @samp{-}
37563 @tab Yes
37564
37565 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37566 @tab No
37567 @tab @samp{-}
37568 @tab Yes
37569
37570 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
37571 @tab No
37572 @tab @samp{-}
37573 @tab Yes
37574
37575 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
37576 @tab No
37577 @tab @samp{-}
37578 @tab Yes
37579
37580 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
37581 @tab No
37582 @tab @samp{-}
37583 @tab Yes
37584
37585 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
37586 @tab No
37587 @tab @samp{-}
37588 @tab Yes
37589
37590 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
37591 @tab No
37592 @tab @samp{-}
37593 @tab Yes
37594
37595 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
37596 @tab No
37597 @tab @samp{-}
37598 @tab Yes
37599
37600 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
37601 @tab No
37602 @tab @samp{-}
37603 @tab Yes
37604
37605 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
37606 @tab No
37607 @tab @samp{-}
37608 @tab Yes
37609
37610 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
37611 @tab No
37612 @tab @samp{-}
37613 @tab Yes
37614
37615 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37616 @tab No
37617 @tab @samp{-}
37618 @tab Yes
37619
37620 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37621 @tab No
37622 @tab @samp{-}
37623 @tab Yes
37624
37625 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37626 @tab No
37627 @tab @samp{-}
37628 @tab Yes
37629
37630 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
37631 @tab Yes
37632 @tab @samp{-}
37633 @tab Yes
37634
37635 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
37636 @tab Yes
37637 @tab @samp{-}
37638 @tab Yes
37639
37640 @item @samp{QNonStop}
37641 @tab No
37642 @tab @samp{-}
37643 @tab Yes
37644
37645 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
37646 @tab No
37647 @tab @samp{-}
37648 @tab Yes
37649
37650 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
37651 @tab No
37652 @tab @samp{-}
37653 @tab Yes
37654
37655 @item @samp{multiprocess}
37656 @tab No
37657 @tab @samp{-}
37658 @tab No
37659
37660 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
37661 @tab No
37662 @tab @samp{-}
37663 @tab No
37664
37665 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
37666 @tab No
37667 @tab @samp{-}
37668 @tab No
37669
37670 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
37671 @tab No
37672 @tab @samp{-}
37673 @tab No
37674
37675 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
37676 @tab No
37677 @tab @samp{-}
37678 @tab No
37679
37680 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
37681 @tab No
37682 @tab @samp{-}
37683 @tab No
37684
37685 @item @samp{QAgent}
37686 @tab No
37687 @tab @samp{-}
37688 @tab No
37689
37690 @item @samp{QAllow}
37691 @tab No
37692 @tab @samp{-}
37693 @tab No
37694
37695 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
37696 @tab No
37697 @tab @samp{-}
37698 @tab No
37699
37700 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
37701 @tab No
37702 @tab @samp{-}
37703 @tab No
37704
37705 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
37706 @tab No
37707 @tab @samp{-}
37708 @tab No
37709
37710 @item @samp{tracenz}
37711 @tab No
37712 @tab @samp{-}
37713 @tab No
37714
37715 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
37716 @tab No
37717 @tab @samp{-}
37718 @tab No
37719
37720 @end multitable
37721
37722 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
37723
37724 @table @samp
37725 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
37726 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
37727 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
37728 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
37729 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
37730 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
37731 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
37732 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
37733 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
37734 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
37735
37736 @item qXfer:auxv:read
37737 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
37738 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
37739
37740 @item qXfer:btrace:read
37741 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37742 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
37743
37744 @item qXfer:features:read
37745 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
37746 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
37747
37748 @item qXfer:libraries:read
37749 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
37750 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
37751
37752 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
37753 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
37754 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
37755
37756 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
37757 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
37758 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
37759
37760 @item qXfer:sdata:read
37761 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
37762 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
37763
37764 @item qXfer:spu:read
37765 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
37766 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
37767
37768 @item qXfer:spu:write
37769 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
37770 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
37771
37772 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
37773 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
37774 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
37775
37776 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
37777 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
37778 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
37779
37780 @item qXfer:threads:read
37781 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
37782 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
37783
37784 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
37785 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37786 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
37787
37788 @item qXfer:uib:read
37789 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37790 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
37791
37792 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
37793 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37794 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
37795
37796 @item QNonStop
37797 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
37798 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
37799
37800 @item QPassSignals
37801 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37802 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
37803
37804 @item QStartNoAckMode
37805 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
37806 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
37807
37808 @item multiprocess
37809 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
37810 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
37811 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
37812 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
37813 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
37814 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
37815 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
37816 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
37817 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
37818 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
37819 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
37820
37821 @item qXfer:osdata:read
37822 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
37823 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
37824
37825 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
37826 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
37827 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
37828 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
37829
37830 @item ConditionalTracepoints
37831 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
37832 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
37833
37834 @item ReverseContinue
37835 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
37836 (@pxref{bc}).
37837
37838 @item ReverseStep
37839 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
37840 (@pxref{bs}).
37841
37842 @item TracepointSource
37843 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
37844 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
37845
37846 @item QAgent
37847 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
37848
37849 @item QAllow
37850 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
37851
37852 @item QDisableRandomization
37853 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
37854
37855 @item StaticTracepoint
37856 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
37857 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
37858
37859 @item InstallInTrace
37860 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
37861 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
37862
37863 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
37864 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
37865 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
37866 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
37867
37868 @item QTBuffer:size
37869 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
37870 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
37871
37872 @item tracenz
37873 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
37874 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
37875 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
37876
37877 @item BreakpointCommands
37878 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
37879 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
37880 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
37881
37882 @item Qbtrace:off
37883 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
37884
37885 @item Qbtrace:bts
37886 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
37887
37888 @end table
37889
37890 @item qSymbol::
37891 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
37892 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
37893 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
37894 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
37895
37896 Reply:
37897 @table @samp
37898 @item OK
37899 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37900 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37901 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
37902 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
37903 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
37904 below.
37905 @end table
37906
37907 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
37908 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
37909
37910 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
37911 target has previously requested.
37912
37913 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
37914 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
37915 will be empty.
37916
37917 Reply:
37918 @table @samp
37919 @item OK
37920 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37921 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37922 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
37923 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
37924 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
37925 @end table
37926
37927 @item qTBuffer
37928 @itemx QTBuffer
37929 @itemx QTDisconnected
37930 @itemx QTDP
37931 @itemx QTDPsrc
37932 @itemx QTDV
37933 @itemx qTfP
37934 @itemx qTfV
37935 @itemx QTFrame
37936 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
37937
37938 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37939
37940 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
37941 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
37942 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
37943 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
37944 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
37945 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
37946 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
37947 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
37948 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
37949 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
37950 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
37951
37952 Reply:
37953 @table @samp
37954 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37955 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
37956 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
37957 the thread's attributes.
37958 @end table
37959
37960 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
37961 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37962 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37963 packets.)
37964
37965 @item QTNotes
37966 @itemx qTP
37967 @itemx QTSave
37968 @itemx qTsP
37969 @itemx qTsV
37970 @itemx QTStart
37971 @itemx QTStop
37972 @itemx QTEnable
37973 @itemx QTDisable
37974 @itemx QTinit
37975 @itemx QTro
37976 @itemx qTStatus
37977 @itemx qTV
37978 @itemx qTfSTM
37979 @itemx qTsSTM
37980 @itemx qTSTMat
37981 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37982
37983 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37984 @cindex read special object, remote request
37985 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37986 @anchor{qXfer read}
37987 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37988 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37989 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37990 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37991 additional details about what data to access.
37992
37993 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37994 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37995 formats, listed below.
37996
37997 @table @samp
37998 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37999 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
38000 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
38001 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
38002
38003 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38004 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38005
38006 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38007 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
38008
38009 Return a description of the current branch trace.
38010 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
38011 packet may have one of the following values:
38012
38013 @table @code
38014 @item all
38015 Returns all available branch trace.
38016
38017 @item new
38018 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
38019 the last read request.
38020 @end table
38021
38022 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
38023 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38024
38025 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38026 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
38027 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
38028 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
38029 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
38030
38031 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38032 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38033
38034 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38035 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
38036 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
38037 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38038 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38039
38040 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
38041 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
38042 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
38043
38044 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38045 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38046
38047 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38048 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
38049 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
38050 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
38051 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38052
38053 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
38054 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
38055
38056 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38057 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38058
38059 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38060 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
38061 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
38062 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38063 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38064
38065 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38066 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38067
38068 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38069 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
38070
38071 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
38072 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
38073 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
38074 Action Lists}.
38075
38076 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38077 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38078 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38079
38080 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38081 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
38082 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
38083 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38084 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38085
38086 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38087 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38088 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38089
38090 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38091 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
38092 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38093 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
38094 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38095 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38096 in that context to be accessed.
38097
38098 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38099 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38100 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38101
38102 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38103 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
38104 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
38105 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38106 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38107
38108 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38109 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38110
38111 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38112 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
38113
38114 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
38115 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
38116 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38117
38118 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38119 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38120
38121 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38122 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
38123
38124 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
38125 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
38126
38127 This packet is not probed by default.
38128
38129 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38130 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
38131 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
38132 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
38133 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
38134
38135 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38136 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38137
38138 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38139 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
38140 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
38141 @xref{Operating System Information}.
38142
38143 @end table
38144
38145 Reply:
38146 @table @samp
38147 @item m @var{data}
38148 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
38149 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
38150 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
38151 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
38152 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
38153 request.
38154
38155 @item l @var{data}
38156 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
38157 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
38158 than the @var{length} in the request.
38159
38160 @item l
38161 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
38162 There is no more data to be read.
38163
38164 @item E00
38165 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38166
38167 @item E @var{nn}
38168 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
38169 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38170
38171 @item @w{}
38172 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
38173 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
38174 @end table
38175
38176 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38177 @cindex write data into object, remote request
38178 @anchor{qXfer write}
38179 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
38180 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
38181 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
38182 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
38183 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
38184 to access.
38185
38186 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
38187 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38188 formats, listed below.
38189
38190 @table @samp
38191 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38192 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
38193 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
38194 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38195 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
38196
38197 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38198 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38199 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38200
38201 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38202 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
38203 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38204 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
38205 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38206 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38207 in that context to be accessed.
38208
38209 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38210 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38211 @end table
38212
38213 Reply:
38214 @table @samp
38215 @item @var{nn}
38216 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
38217 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
38218
38219 @item E00
38220 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38221
38222 @item E @var{nn}
38223 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
38224 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38225
38226 @item @w{}
38227 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
38228 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
38229 @end table
38230
38231 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
38232 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
38233 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
38234 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
38235 must respond with an empty packet.
38236
38237 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
38238 @cindex query attached, remote request
38239 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
38240 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
38241 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
38242 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
38243 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
38244 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
38245 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
38246
38247 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
38248 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
38249 the @code{quit} command.
38250
38251 Reply:
38252 @table @samp
38253 @item 1
38254 The remote server attached to an existing process.
38255 @item 0
38256 The remote server created a new process.
38257 @item E @var{NN}
38258 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38259 @end table
38260
38261 @item Qbtrace:bts
38262 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
38263
38264 Reply:
38265 @table @samp
38266 @item OK
38267 Branch tracing has been enabled.
38268 @item E.errtext
38269 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38270 @end table
38271
38272 @item Qbtrace:off
38273 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
38274
38275 Reply:
38276 @table @samp
38277 @item OK
38278 Branch tracing has been disabled.
38279 @item E.errtext
38280 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38281 @end table
38282
38283 @end table
38284
38285 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38286 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38287
38288 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
38289 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
38290 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
38291
38292 @menu
38293 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
38294 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
38295 @end menu
38296
38297 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
38298 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
38299
38300 @menu
38301 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
38302 @end menu
38303
38304 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
38305 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
38306 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
38307
38308 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38309
38310 @table @r
38311
38312 @item 2
38313 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
38314
38315 @item 3
38316 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
38317
38318 @item 4
38319 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
38320
38321 @end table
38322
38323 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
38324 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
38325
38326 @menu
38327 * MIPS Register packet Format::
38328 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
38329 @end menu
38330
38331 @node MIPS Register packet Format
38332 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
38333 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
38334
38335 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
38336 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
38337 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
38338 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
38339 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
38340 most-significant -- least-significant.
38341
38342 @table @r
38343
38344 @item MIPS32
38345 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
38346 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
38347 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
38348
38349 @item MIPS64
38350 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
38351 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
38352 as @code{MIPS32}.
38353
38354 @end table
38355
38356 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
38357 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
38358 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
38359
38360 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38361
38362 @table @r
38363
38364 @item 2
38365 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
38366
38367 @item 3
38368 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38369
38370 @item 4
38371 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
38372
38373 @item 5
38374 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38375
38376 @end table
38377
38378 @node Tracepoint Packets
38379 @section Tracepoint Packets
38380 @cindex tracepoint packets
38381 @cindex packets, tracepoint
38382
38383 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
38384 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
38385
38386 @table @samp
38387
38388 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
38389 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
38390 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
38391 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
38392 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
38393 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
38394 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
38395 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
38396 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
38397 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
38398 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
38399 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
38400 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
38401 actions.
38402
38403 Replies:
38404 @table @samp
38405 @item OK
38406 The packet was understood and carried out.
38407 @item qRelocInsn
38408 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38409 @item @w{}
38410 The packet was not recognized.
38411 @end table
38412
38413 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
38414 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
38415 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
38416 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
38417 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
38418 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
38419 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
38420
38421 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
38422 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
38423 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
38424 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
38425 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
38426 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
38427 tracepoint actions.
38428
38429 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
38430 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
38431 following forms:
38432
38433 @table @samp
38434
38435 @item R @var{mask}
38436 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
38437 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
38438 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
38439 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
38440 not fit in a 32-bit word.
38441
38442 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
38443 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
38444 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
38445 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
38446 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
38447 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
38448 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
38449
38450 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38451 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
38452 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
38453 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
38454 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
38455 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
38456 packet).
38457
38458 @end table
38459
38460 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
38461 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
38462 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
38463 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
38464 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
38465 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
38466 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
38467 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
38468
38469 Replies:
38470 @table @samp
38471 @item OK
38472 The packet was understood and carried out.
38473 @item qRelocInsn
38474 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38475 @item @w{}
38476 The packet was not recognized.
38477 @end table
38478
38479 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
38480 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
38481 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
38482 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
38483 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
38484 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
38485 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
38486 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
38487
38488 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
38489 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
38490 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
38491 fit in a single packet.
38492 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
38493 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
38494
38495 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
38496 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
38497 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
38498 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
38499
38500 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
38501 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
38502 query packets.
38503
38504 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
38505 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
38506 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
38507 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
38508 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
38509 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
38510 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
38511 be found.
38512
38513 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
38514 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
38515 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
38516 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
38517 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
38518 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
38519 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
38520 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
38521 mentioned in expressions.
38522
38523 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
38524 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
38525 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
38526 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
38527 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
38528
38529 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
38530 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
38531 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
38532 one of the following forms:
38533
38534 @table @samp
38535 @item F @var{f}
38536 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
38537 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
38538 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
38539
38540 @item T @var{t}
38541 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
38542 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
38543
38544 @end table
38545
38546 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
38547 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38548 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
38549 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
38550
38551 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
38552 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38553 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
38554 is a hexadecimal number.
38555
38556 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
38557 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38558 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
38559 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
38560 numbers.
38561
38562 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
38563 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
38564 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
38565
38566 @item qTMinFTPILen
38567 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
38568 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
38569 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
38570 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
38571 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
38572 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
38573 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
38574 arrange for that.
38575
38576 Replies:
38577
38578 @table @samp
38579 @item 0
38580 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
38581 @item @var{length}
38582 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
38583 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
38584 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
38585 @item E
38586 An error has occurred.
38587 @item @w{}
38588 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
38589 @end table
38590
38591 @item QTStart
38592 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
38593 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
38594 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
38595 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38596 instruction reply packet}).
38597
38598 @item QTStop
38599 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
38600 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
38601
38602 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38603 @anchor{QTEnable}
38604 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
38605 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38606 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
38607 of data from it will resume.
38608
38609 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38610 @anchor{QTDisable}
38611 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
38612 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38613 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
38614 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
38615
38616 @item QTinit
38617 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
38618 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
38619
38620 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
38621 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
38622 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
38623 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
38624 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
38625
38626 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
38627 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
38628 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
38629 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
38630
38631 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
38632 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
38633 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
38634 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
38635 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
38636 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
38637
38638 @item qTStatus
38639 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
38640 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
38641
38642 The reply has the form:
38643
38644 @table @samp
38645
38646 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
38647 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
38648 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
38649 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
38650
38651 @end table
38652
38653 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
38654 explanations as one of the optional fields:
38655
38656 @table @samp
38657
38658 @item tnotrun:0
38659 No trace has been run yet.
38660
38661 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
38662 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
38663 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
38664 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
38665 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
38666
38667 @item tfull:0
38668 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
38669
38670 @item tdisconnected:0
38671 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
38672
38673 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
38674 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
38675
38676 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
38677 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
38678 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
38679 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
38680 @var{text} is hex encoded.
38681
38682 @item tunknown:0
38683 The trace stopped for some other reason.
38684
38685 @end table
38686
38687 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
38688 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
38689 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
38690 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
38691 trace.
38692
38693 @table @samp
38694
38695 @item tframes:@var{n}
38696 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
38697
38698 @item tcreated:@var{n}
38699 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
38700 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
38701
38702 @item tsize:@var{n}
38703 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
38704
38705 @item tfree:@var{n}
38706 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
38707
38708 @item circular:@var{n}
38709 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
38710 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
38711 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
38712 and may fill up.
38713
38714 @item disconn:@var{n}
38715 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
38716 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
38717 that the trace run will stop.
38718
38719 @end table
38720
38721 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
38722 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
38723 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
38724 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
38725 address @var{addr}.
38726
38727 Replies:
38728 @table @samp
38729 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
38730 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
38731 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
38732 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
38733 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
38734
38735 @end table
38736
38737 @item qTV:@var{var}
38738 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
38739 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
38740 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
38741
38742 Replies:
38743 @table @samp
38744 @item V@var{value}
38745 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
38746 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
38747 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
38748 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
38749 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
38750 program is running.
38751
38752 @item U
38753 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
38754 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
38755 was not collected.
38756 @end table
38757
38758 @item qTfP
38759 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
38760 @itemx qTsP
38761 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
38762 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
38763 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
38764 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
38765 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
38766 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
38767
38768 @item qTfV
38769 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
38770 @itemx qTsV
38771 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
38772 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
38773 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
38774 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
38775 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
38776 trace state variables.
38777
38778 @item qTfSTM
38779 @itemx qTsSTM
38780 @anchor{qTfSTM}
38781 @anchor{qTsSTM}
38782 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
38783 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
38784 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
38785 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
38786 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
38787 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
38788
38789 Reply:
38790 @table @samp
38791 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
38792 A single marker
38793 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
38794 a comma-separated list of markers
38795 @item l
38796 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38797 @item E @var{nn}
38798 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38799 @item @w{}
38800 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
38801 stub.
38802 @end table
38803
38804 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
38805 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
38806
38807 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38808 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
38809 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
38810 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
38811 @dfn{last}).
38812
38813 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
38814 @anchor{qTSTMat}
38815 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
38816 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
38817 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
38818 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
38819 tracepoint markers.
38820
38821 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
38822 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
38823 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
38824 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
38825 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
38826 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
38827
38828 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
38829 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
38830 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
38831 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
38832 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
38833 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
38834 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
38835 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
38836 available.
38837
38838 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
38839 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
38840 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
38841
38842 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
38843 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
38844 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
38845 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
38846 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
38847 use whatever size it prefers.
38848
38849 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
38850 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
38851 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
38852 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
38853 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
38854
38855 @end table
38856
38857 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
38858 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
38859 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
38860 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
38861 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
38862 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
38863 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
38864 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
38865 it had executed in the original location.
38866
38867 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
38868 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
38869 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
38870 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
38871 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
38872 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
38873 format of the request is:
38874
38875 @table @samp
38876 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
38877
38878 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
38879 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
38880 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
38881 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
38882 memory starting at @var{to}.
38883 @end table
38884
38885 Replies:
38886 @table @samp
38887 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
38888 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
38889 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
38890 @item E @var{NN}
38891 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
38892 relocating the instruction.
38893 @end table
38894
38895 @node Host I/O Packets
38896 @section Host I/O Packets
38897 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
38898 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
38899
38900 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
38901 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
38902 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
38903 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
38904 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
38905 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
38906 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
38907 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
38908 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
38909 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
38910
38911 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
38912 its arguments. They have this format:
38913
38914 @table @samp
38915
38916 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
38917 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
38918 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
38919 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
38920 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
38921 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
38922 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
38923 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
38924 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38925
38926 @end table
38927
38928 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
38929
38930 @table @samp
38931
38932 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
38933 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
38934 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
38935 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
38936 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
38937 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
38938 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
38939 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
38940 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
38941 @var{attachment}.
38942
38943 @item @w{}
38944 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
38945
38946 @end table
38947
38948 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
38949
38950 @table @samp
38951 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
38952 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
38953 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
38954 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
38955 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
38956 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
38957 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
38958
38959 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
38960 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
38961 -1 if an error occurs.
38962
38963 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
38964 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
38965 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
38966 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
38967 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
38968 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
38969 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
38970 @var{count} was zero.
38971
38972 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38973 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38974 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38975 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38976 some characters were escaped.
38977
38978 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
38979 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
38980 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
38981 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
38982 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
38983 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
38984 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
38985 error occurred.
38986
38987 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
38988 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
38989 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
38990
38991 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
38992 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
38993 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
38994
38995 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38996 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38997 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38998 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38999 some characters were escaped.
39000
39001 @end table
39002
39003 @node Interrupts
39004 @section Interrupts
39005 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
39006
39007 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
39008 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
39009 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
39010 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
39011
39012 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
39013 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
39014 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
39015 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
39016 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
39017
39018 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
39019 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
39020 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
39021 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
39022 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
39023 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
39024 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
39025 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
39026
39027 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
39028 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
39029 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
39030
39031 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
39032 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
39033 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
39034 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
39035 currently-executing threads and processes.
39036 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
39037 running program, it should send one of the stop
39038 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
39039 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
39040 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
39041 Interrupts received while the
39042 program is stopped are discarded.
39043
39044 @node Notification Packets
39045 @section Notification Packets
39046 @cindex notification packets
39047 @cindex packets, notification
39048
39049 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
39050 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
39051 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
39052 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
39053 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
39054 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
39055 is not a problem.
39056
39057 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
39058 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
39059 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
39060 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
39061 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
39062 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
39063 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
39064
39065 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
39066 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
39067
39068 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
39069 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
39070 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
39071 not they understand it.
39072
39073 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
39074 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
39075 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
39076 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
39077 recipients.
39078
39079 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
39080 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
39081 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
39082 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
39083 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
39084
39085 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
39086 @table @samp
39087 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
39088 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
39089 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
39090 carrying the specific information about the notification.
39091 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
39092 @item @var{ack}
39093 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
39094 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
39095 @end table
39096
39097 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
39098 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
39099
39100 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
39101 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
39102 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
39103 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
39104 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
39105 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
39106 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
39107 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
39108 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
39109 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
39110
39111 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
39112 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
39113 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
39114 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
39115 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
39116 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
39117
39118 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
39119 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
39120 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
39121 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
39122 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
39123
39124 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
39125 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
39126 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
39127 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
39128 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
39129 normally.
39130
39131 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
39132 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
39133 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
39134 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
39135 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
39136 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
39137 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
39138 the process shall be repeated.
39139
39140 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
39141 following example:
39142 @smallexample
39143 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
39144 @code{...}
39145 -> @code{vStopped}
39146 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
39147 -> @code{vStopped}
39148 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
39149 -> @code{vStopped}
39150 <- @code{OK}
39151 @end smallexample
39152
39153 The following notifications are defined:
39154 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
39155
39156 @item Notification
39157 @tab Ack
39158 @tab Event
39159 @tab Description
39160
39161 @item Stop
39162 @tab vStopped
39163 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
39164 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
39165 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
39166 @value{GDBN}.
39167 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
39168
39169 @end multitable
39170
39171 @node Remote Non-Stop
39172 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
39173
39174 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
39175 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
39176 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
39177 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39178
39179 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
39180 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
39181 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
39182 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
39183 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
39184 probe the target state after a mode change.
39185
39186 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
39187 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
39188 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
39189 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
39190 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
39191 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
39192 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
39193 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
39194 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
39195 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
39196 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
39197
39198 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
39199 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
39200 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
39201 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
39202 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
39203 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
39204 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
39205 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
39206 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
39207 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
39208 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
39209 @samp{OK}.
39210
39211 @node Packet Acknowledgment
39212 @section Packet Acknowledgment
39213
39214 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39215 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39216 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
39217 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
39218 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
39219 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
39220 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
39221
39222 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
39223 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
39224 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
39225 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
39226 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
39227
39228 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
39229 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
39230 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
39231 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
39232
39233 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
39234 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
39235 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
39236 @pxref{qSupported}.
39237 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
39238 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
39239 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
39240 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
39241 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
39242 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
39243 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
39244
39245 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
39246 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
39247 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
39248 connection.
39249 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
39250 new connection is established,
39251 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
39252 for the current connection, once disabled.
39253
39254 @node Examples
39255 @section Examples
39256
39257 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
39258 does not get any direct output:
39259
39260 @smallexample
39261 -> @code{R00}
39262 <- @code{+}
39263 @emph{target restarts}
39264 -> @code{?}
39265 <- @code{+}
39266 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39267 -> @code{+}
39268 @end smallexample
39269
39270 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
39271
39272 @smallexample
39273 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
39274 <- @code{+}
39275 -> @code{s}
39276 <- @code{+}
39277 @emph{time passes}
39278 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39279 -> @code{+}
39280 -> @code{g}
39281 <- @code{+}
39282 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
39283 -> @code{+}
39284 @end smallexample
39285
39286 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39287 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39288 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
39289
39290 @menu
39291 * File-I/O Overview::
39292 * Protocol Basics::
39293 * The F Request Packet::
39294 * The F Reply Packet::
39295 * The Ctrl-C Message::
39296 * Console I/O::
39297 * List of Supported Calls::
39298 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
39299 * Constants::
39300 * File-I/O Examples::
39301 @end menu
39302
39303 @node File-I/O Overview
39304 @subsection File-I/O Overview
39305 @cindex file-i/o overview
39306
39307 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
39308 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
39309 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
39310 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
39311 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
39312 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
39313
39314 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
39315 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
39316 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
39317 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
39318 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
39319
39320 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
39321 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
39322 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
39323 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
39324 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
39325 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
39326 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
39327
39328 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
39329 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
39330 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
39331 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
39332 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
39333
39334 @smallexample
39335 (@value{GDBP}) continue
39336 <- target requests 'system call X'
39337 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
39338 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
39339 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
39340 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
39341 @end smallexample
39342
39343 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
39344 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
39345 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
39346 system are not supported by this protocol.
39347
39348 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
39349
39350 @node Protocol Basics
39351 @subsection Protocol Basics
39352 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
39353
39354 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
39355 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
39356 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
39357 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
39358 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
39359 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
39360 to call the appropriate host system call:
39361
39362 @itemize @bullet
39363 @item
39364 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
39365
39366 @item
39367 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
39368 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
39369 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
39370 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
39371
39372 @end itemize
39373
39374 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
39375
39376 @itemize @bullet
39377 @item
39378 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
39379 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
39380 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
39381 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
39382 packet.
39383
39384 @item
39385 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
39386 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
39387
39388 @item
39389 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
39390
39391 @item
39392 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
39393
39394 @item
39395 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
39396 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
39397 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
39398 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
39399 packet.
39400
39401 @end itemize
39402
39403 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
39404 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
39405
39406 @itemize @bullet
39407 @item
39408 Return value.
39409
39410 @item
39411 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
39412
39413 @item
39414 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
39415
39416 @end itemize
39417
39418 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
39419 the latest continue or step action.
39420
39421 @node The F Request Packet
39422 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
39423 @cindex file-i/o request packet
39424 @cindex @code{F} request packet
39425
39426 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
39427
39428 @table @samp
39429 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
39430
39431 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
39432 This is just the name of the function.
39433
39434 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
39435 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
39436 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
39437 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
39438 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
39439 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
39440 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
39441
39442 @end table
39443
39444
39445
39446 @node The F Reply Packet
39447 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
39448 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
39449 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
39450
39451 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
39452
39453 @table @samp
39454
39455 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
39456
39457 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
39458
39459 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
39460 representation.
39461 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
39462
39463 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
39464 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
39465 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
39466
39467 @smallexample
39468 F0,0,C
39469 @end smallexample
39470
39471 @noindent
39472 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
39473
39474 @smallexample
39475 F-1,4,C
39476 @end smallexample
39477
39478 @noindent
39479 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
39480
39481 @end table
39482
39483
39484 @node The Ctrl-C Message
39485 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
39486 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
39487
39488 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
39489 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
39490 the target should behave as if it had
39491 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
39492 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
39493 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
39494 packet.
39495
39496 It's important for the target to know in which
39497 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
39498
39499 @itemize @bullet
39500 @item
39501 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
39502
39503 @item
39504 The system call on the host has been finished.
39505
39506 @end itemize
39507
39508 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
39509 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
39510 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
39511 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
39512 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
39513 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
39514
39515 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
39516 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
39517 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
39518 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
39519 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
39520 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
39521 or the full action has been completed.
39522
39523 @node Console I/O
39524 @subsection Console I/O
39525 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
39526
39527 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
39528 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
39529 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
39530 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
39531 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
39532 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
39533 conditions is met:
39534
39535 @itemize @bullet
39536 @item
39537 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
39538 @code{read}
39539 system call is treated as finished.
39540
39541 @item
39542 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
39543 newline.
39544
39545 @item
39546 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
39547 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
39548
39549 @end itemize
39550
39551 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
39552 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
39553 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
39554 is stopped at the user's request.
39555
39556
39557 @node List of Supported Calls
39558 @subsection List of Supported Calls
39559 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
39560
39561 @menu
39562 * open::
39563 * close::
39564 * read::
39565 * write::
39566 * lseek::
39567 * rename::
39568 * unlink::
39569 * stat/fstat::
39570 * gettimeofday::
39571 * isatty::
39572 * system::
39573 @end menu
39574
39575 @node open
39576 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
39577 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
39578
39579 @table @asis
39580 @item Synopsis:
39581 @smallexample
39582 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
39583 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
39584 @end smallexample
39585
39586 @item Request:
39587 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
39588
39589 @noindent
39590 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39591
39592 @table @code
39593 @item O_CREAT
39594 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
39595 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
39596 are concerned.
39597
39598 @item O_EXCL
39599 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
39600 an error and open() fails.
39601
39602 @item O_TRUNC
39603 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
39604 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
39605 truncated to zero length.
39606
39607 @item O_APPEND
39608 The file is opened in append mode.
39609
39610 @item O_RDONLY
39611 The file is opened for reading only.
39612
39613 @item O_WRONLY
39614 The file is opened for writing only.
39615
39616 @item O_RDWR
39617 The file is opened for reading and writing.
39618 @end table
39619
39620 @noindent
39621 Other bits are silently ignored.
39622
39623
39624 @noindent
39625 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39626
39627 @table @code
39628 @item S_IRUSR
39629 User has read permission.
39630
39631 @item S_IWUSR
39632 User has write permission.
39633
39634 @item S_IRGRP
39635 Group has read permission.
39636
39637 @item S_IWGRP
39638 Group has write permission.
39639
39640 @item S_IROTH
39641 Others have read permission.
39642
39643 @item S_IWOTH
39644 Others have write permission.
39645 @end table
39646
39647 @noindent
39648 Other bits are silently ignored.
39649
39650
39651 @item Return value:
39652 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
39653 occurred.
39654
39655 @item Errors:
39656
39657 @table @code
39658 @item EEXIST
39659 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
39660
39661 @item EISDIR
39662 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
39663
39664 @item EACCES
39665 The requested access is not allowed.
39666
39667 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39668 @var{pathname} was too long.
39669
39670 @item ENOENT
39671 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39672
39673 @item ENODEV
39674 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
39675
39676 @item EROFS
39677 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
39678 write access was requested.
39679
39680 @item EFAULT
39681 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
39682
39683 @item ENOSPC
39684 No space on device to create the file.
39685
39686 @item EMFILE
39687 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
39688
39689 @item ENFILE
39690 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
39691 has been reached.
39692
39693 @item EINTR
39694 The call was interrupted by the user.
39695 @end table
39696
39697 @end table
39698
39699 @node close
39700 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
39701 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
39702
39703 @table @asis
39704 @item Synopsis:
39705 @smallexample
39706 int close(int fd);
39707 @end smallexample
39708
39709 @item Request:
39710 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
39711
39712 @item Return value:
39713 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
39714
39715 @item Errors:
39716
39717 @table @code
39718 @item EBADF
39719 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
39720
39721 @item EINTR
39722 The call was interrupted by the user.
39723 @end table
39724
39725 @end table
39726
39727 @node read
39728 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
39729 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
39730
39731 @table @asis
39732 @item Synopsis:
39733 @smallexample
39734 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
39735 @end smallexample
39736
39737 @item Request:
39738 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39739
39740 @item Return value:
39741 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
39742 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
39743 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
39744
39745 @item Errors:
39746
39747 @table @code
39748 @item EBADF
39749 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39750 reading.
39751
39752 @item EFAULT
39753 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39754
39755 @item EINTR
39756 The call was interrupted by the user.
39757 @end table
39758
39759 @end table
39760
39761 @node write
39762 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
39763 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
39764
39765 @table @asis
39766 @item Synopsis:
39767 @smallexample
39768 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
39769 @end smallexample
39770
39771 @item Request:
39772 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39773
39774 @item Return value:
39775 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
39776 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
39777 is returned.
39778
39779 @item Errors:
39780
39781 @table @code
39782 @item EBADF
39783 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39784 writing.
39785
39786 @item EFAULT
39787 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39788
39789 @item EFBIG
39790 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
39791 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
39792
39793 @item ENOSPC
39794 No space on device to write the data.
39795
39796 @item EINTR
39797 The call was interrupted by the user.
39798 @end table
39799
39800 @end table
39801
39802 @node lseek
39803 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
39804 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
39805
39806 @table @asis
39807 @item Synopsis:
39808 @smallexample
39809 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
39810 @end smallexample
39811
39812 @item Request:
39813 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
39814
39815 @var{flag} is one of:
39816
39817 @table @code
39818 @item SEEK_SET
39819 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
39820
39821 @item SEEK_CUR
39822 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
39823 bytes.
39824
39825 @item SEEK_END
39826 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
39827 bytes.
39828 @end table
39829
39830 @item Return value:
39831 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
39832 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
39833 value of -1 is returned.
39834
39835 @item Errors:
39836
39837 @table @code
39838 @item EBADF
39839 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
39840
39841 @item ESPIPE
39842 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
39843
39844 @item EINVAL
39845 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
39846
39847 @item EINTR
39848 The call was interrupted by the user.
39849 @end table
39850
39851 @end table
39852
39853 @node rename
39854 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
39855 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
39856
39857 @table @asis
39858 @item Synopsis:
39859 @smallexample
39860 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
39861 @end smallexample
39862
39863 @item Request:
39864 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
39865
39866 @item Return value:
39867 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39868
39869 @item Errors:
39870
39871 @table @code
39872 @item EISDIR
39873 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
39874 directory.
39875
39876 @item EEXIST
39877 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
39878
39879 @item EBUSY
39880 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
39881 process.
39882
39883 @item EINVAL
39884 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
39885 of itself.
39886
39887 @item ENOTDIR
39888 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
39889 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
39890 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
39891
39892 @item EFAULT
39893 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
39894
39895 @item EACCES
39896 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39897
39898 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39899
39900 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
39901
39902 @item ENOENT
39903 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
39904
39905 @item EROFS
39906 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39907
39908 @item ENOSPC
39909 The device containing the file has no room for the new
39910 directory entry.
39911
39912 @item EINTR
39913 The call was interrupted by the user.
39914 @end table
39915
39916 @end table
39917
39918 @node unlink
39919 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
39920 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
39921
39922 @table @asis
39923 @item Synopsis:
39924 @smallexample
39925 int unlink(const char *pathname);
39926 @end smallexample
39927
39928 @item Request:
39929 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
39930
39931 @item Return value:
39932 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39933
39934 @item Errors:
39935
39936 @table @code
39937 @item EACCES
39938 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39939
39940 @item EPERM
39941 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
39942
39943 @item EBUSY
39944 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
39945 being used by another process.
39946
39947 @item EFAULT
39948 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39949
39950 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39951 @var{pathname} was too long.
39952
39953 @item ENOENT
39954 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39955
39956 @item ENOTDIR
39957 A component of the path is not a directory.
39958
39959 @item EROFS
39960 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39961
39962 @item EINTR
39963 The call was interrupted by the user.
39964 @end table
39965
39966 @end table
39967
39968 @node stat/fstat
39969 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
39970 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
39971 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
39972
39973 @table @asis
39974 @item Synopsis:
39975 @smallexample
39976 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
39977 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
39978 @end smallexample
39979
39980 @item Request:
39981 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
39982 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
39983
39984 @item Return value:
39985 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39986
39987 @item Errors:
39988
39989 @table @code
39990 @item EBADF
39991 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
39992
39993 @item ENOENT
39994 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
39995 path is an empty string.
39996
39997 @item ENOTDIR
39998 A component of the path is not a directory.
39999
40000 @item EFAULT
40001 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40002
40003 @item EACCES
40004 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40005
40006 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40007 @var{pathname} was too long.
40008
40009 @item EINTR
40010 The call was interrupted by the user.
40011 @end table
40012
40013 @end table
40014
40015 @node gettimeofday
40016 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
40017 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
40018
40019 @table @asis
40020 @item Synopsis:
40021 @smallexample
40022 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
40023 @end smallexample
40024
40025 @item Request:
40026 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
40027
40028 @item Return value:
40029 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
40030
40031 @item Errors:
40032
40033 @table @code
40034 @item EINVAL
40035 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
40036
40037 @item EFAULT
40038 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40039 @end table
40040
40041 @end table
40042
40043 @node isatty
40044 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
40045 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
40046
40047 @table @asis
40048 @item Synopsis:
40049 @smallexample
40050 int isatty(int fd);
40051 @end smallexample
40052
40053 @item Request:
40054 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
40055
40056 @item Return value:
40057 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
40058
40059 @item Errors:
40060
40061 @table @code
40062 @item EINTR
40063 The call was interrupted by the user.
40064 @end table
40065
40066 @end table
40067
40068 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
40069 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
40070 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
40071 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
40072 needed.
40073
40074
40075 @node system
40076 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
40077 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
40078
40079 @table @asis
40080 @item Synopsis:
40081 @smallexample
40082 int system(const char *command);
40083 @end smallexample
40084
40085 @item Request:
40086 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
40087
40088 @item Return value:
40089 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
40090 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
40091 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
40092 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
40093 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
40094 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
40095 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
40096
40097 @item Errors:
40098
40099 @table @code
40100 @item EINTR
40101 The call was interrupted by the user.
40102 @end table
40103
40104 @end table
40105
40106 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
40107 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
40108 the host is simplified before it's returned
40109 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
40110 is discarded, and the return value consists
40111 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
40112
40113 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
40114 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
40115 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
40116
40117 @table @code
40118 @item set remote system-call-allowed
40119 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
40120 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
40121 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
40122
40123 @item show remote system-call-allowed
40124 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
40125 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
40126 protocol.
40127 @end table
40128
40129 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40130 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40131 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40132
40133 @menu
40134 * Integral Datatypes::
40135 * Pointer Values::
40136 * Memory Transfer::
40137 * struct stat::
40138 * struct timeval::
40139 @end menu
40140
40141 @node Integral Datatypes
40142 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
40143 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40144
40145 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
40146 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
40147 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
40148
40149 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
40150 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
40151
40152 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
40153
40154 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
40155 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
40156
40157 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
40158
40159 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
40160 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
40161 byte order.
40162
40163 @node Pointer Values
40164 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
40165 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
40166
40167 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
40168 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
40169 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
40170 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
40171
40172 @smallexample
40173 @code{1aaf/12}
40174 @end smallexample
40175
40176 @noindent
40177 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
40178 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
40179 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
40180 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
40181
40182 @smallexample
40183 @code{123456/d}
40184 @end smallexample
40185
40186 @node Memory Transfer
40187 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
40188 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
40189
40190 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
40191 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
40192 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
40193 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
40194 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
40195 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
40196 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
40197
40198
40199 @node struct stat
40200 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
40201 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
40202
40203 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
40204 is defined as follows:
40205
40206 @smallexample
40207 struct stat @{
40208 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
40209 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
40210 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
40211 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
40212 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
40213 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
40214 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
40215 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
40216 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
40217 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
40218 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
40219 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
40220 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
40221 @};
40222 @end smallexample
40223
40224 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40225 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40226 structure is of size 64 bytes.
40227
40228 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
40229 range of values.
40230
40231 @table @code
40232
40233 @item st_dev
40234 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
40235
40236 @item st_ino
40237 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40238
40239 @item st_mode
40240 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
40241 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
40242
40243 @item st_uid
40244 @itemx st_gid
40245 @itemx st_rdev
40246 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40247
40248 @item st_atime
40249 @itemx st_mtime
40250 @itemx st_ctime
40251 These values have a host and file system dependent
40252 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
40253 support exact timing values.
40254 @end table
40255
40256 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
40257 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
40258 continuing.
40259
40260 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
40261 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
40262 get truncated on the target.
40263
40264 @node struct timeval
40265 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
40266 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
40267
40268 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
40269 is defined as follows:
40270
40271 @smallexample
40272 struct timeval @{
40273 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
40274 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
40275 @};
40276 @end smallexample
40277
40278 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40279 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40280 structure is of size 8 bytes.
40281
40282 @node Constants
40283 @subsection Constants
40284 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
40285
40286 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
40287 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
40288 values before and after the call as needed.
40289
40290 @menu
40291 * Open Flags::
40292 * mode_t Values::
40293 * Errno Values::
40294 * Lseek Flags::
40295 * Limits::
40296 @end menu
40297
40298 @node Open Flags
40299 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
40300 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
40301
40302 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
40303
40304 @smallexample
40305 O_RDONLY 0x0
40306 O_WRONLY 0x1
40307 O_RDWR 0x2
40308 O_APPEND 0x8
40309 O_CREAT 0x200
40310 O_TRUNC 0x400
40311 O_EXCL 0x800
40312 @end smallexample
40313
40314 @node mode_t Values
40315 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
40316 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
40317
40318 All values are given in octal representation.
40319
40320 @smallexample
40321 S_IFREG 0100000
40322 S_IFDIR 040000
40323 S_IRUSR 0400
40324 S_IWUSR 0200
40325 S_IXUSR 0100
40326 S_IRGRP 040
40327 S_IWGRP 020
40328 S_IXGRP 010
40329 S_IROTH 04
40330 S_IWOTH 02
40331 S_IXOTH 01
40332 @end smallexample
40333
40334 @node Errno Values
40335 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
40336 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
40337
40338 All values are given in decimal representation.
40339
40340 @smallexample
40341 EPERM 1
40342 ENOENT 2
40343 EINTR 4
40344 EBADF 9
40345 EACCES 13
40346 EFAULT 14
40347 EBUSY 16
40348 EEXIST 17
40349 ENODEV 19
40350 ENOTDIR 20
40351 EISDIR 21
40352 EINVAL 22
40353 ENFILE 23
40354 EMFILE 24
40355 EFBIG 27
40356 ENOSPC 28
40357 ESPIPE 29
40358 EROFS 30
40359 ENAMETOOLONG 91
40360 EUNKNOWN 9999
40361 @end smallexample
40362
40363 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
40364 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
40365
40366 @node Lseek Flags
40367 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
40368 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
40369
40370 @smallexample
40371 SEEK_SET 0
40372 SEEK_CUR 1
40373 SEEK_END 2
40374 @end smallexample
40375
40376 @node Limits
40377 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
40378 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
40379
40380 All values are given in decimal representation.
40381
40382 @smallexample
40383 INT_MIN -2147483648
40384 INT_MAX 2147483647
40385 UINT_MAX 4294967295
40386 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
40387 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
40388 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
40389 @end smallexample
40390
40391 @node File-I/O Examples
40392 @subsection File-I/O Examples
40393 @cindex file-i/o examples
40394
40395 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40396 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
40397
40398 @smallexample
40399 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
40400 @emph{request memory read from target}
40401 -> @code{m1234,6}
40402 <- XXXXXX
40403 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
40404 -> @code{F6}
40405 @end smallexample
40406
40407 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40408 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
40409
40410 @smallexample
40411 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40412 @emph{request memory write to target}
40413 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40414 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
40415 -> @code{F6}
40416 @end smallexample
40417
40418 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
40419 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
40420
40421 @smallexample
40422 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40423 -> @code{F-1,9}
40424 @end smallexample
40425
40426 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
40427 host is called:
40428
40429 @smallexample
40430 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40431 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
40432 <- @code{T02}
40433 @end smallexample
40434
40435 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
40436 host is called:
40437
40438 @smallexample
40439 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40440 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40441 <- @code{T02}
40442 @end smallexample
40443
40444 @node Library List Format
40445 @section Library List Format
40446 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40447
40448 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
40449 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
40450 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
40451 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
40452 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
40453 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
40454 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
40455 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
40456 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
40457 are loaded.
40458
40459 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
40460 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
40461 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
40462 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
40463
40464 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
40465 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
40466 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
40467 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
40468 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
40469 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
40470
40471 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40472 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40473
40474 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
40475 offset, looks like this:
40476
40477 @smallexample
40478 <library-list>
40479 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
40480 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
40481 </library>
40482 </library-list>
40483 @end smallexample
40484
40485 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
40486 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
40487
40488 @smallexample
40489 <library-list>
40490 <library name="sharedlib.o">
40491 <section address="0x10000000"/>
40492 <section address="0x20000000"/>
40493 <section address="0x30000000"/>
40494 </library>
40495 </library-list>
40496 @end smallexample
40497
40498 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
40499
40500 @smallexample
40501 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
40502 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
40503 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40504 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
40505 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40506 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
40507 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40508 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
40509 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40510 @end smallexample
40511
40512 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
40513 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
40514 section for each library.
40515
40516 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40517 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40518 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40519
40520 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
40521 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
40522 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
40523 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
40524
40525 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
40526 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
40527 target, the following parameters are reported:
40528
40529 @itemize @minus
40530 @item
40531 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
40532 @code{struct link_map}.
40533 @item
40534 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
40535 (Thread Local Storage) access.
40536 @item
40537 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
40538 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
40539 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
40540 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
40541 @item
40542 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
40543 @end itemize
40544
40545 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
40546 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
40547 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
40548
40549 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40550 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40551
40552 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
40553 looks like this:
40554
40555 @smallexample
40556 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
40557 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
40558 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
40559 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
40560 l_ld="0x152350"/>
40561 </library-list-svr>
40562 @end smallexample
40563
40564 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
40565
40566 @smallexample
40567 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
40568 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
40569 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40570 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
40571 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
40572 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40573 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
40574 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
40575 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
40576 @end smallexample
40577
40578 @node Memory Map Format
40579 @section Memory Map Format
40580 @cindex memory map format
40581
40582 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
40583 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
40584 memory map.
40585
40586 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
40587 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
40588 lists memory regions.
40589
40590 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40591 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
40592
40593 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40594
40595 @smallexample
40596 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40597 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
40598 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40599 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
40600 <memory-map>
40601 region...
40602 </memory-map>
40603 @end smallexample
40604
40605 Each region can be either:
40606
40607 @itemize
40608
40609 @item
40610 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
40611 bytes from there:
40612
40613 @smallexample
40614 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40615 @end smallexample
40616
40617
40618 @item
40619 A region of read-only memory:
40620
40621 @smallexample
40622 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40623 @end smallexample
40624
40625
40626 @item
40627 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
40628 bytes in length:
40629
40630 @smallexample
40631 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
40632 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
40633 </memory>
40634 @end smallexample
40635
40636 @end itemize
40637
40638 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
40639 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
40640 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
40641
40642 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
40643
40644 @smallexample
40645 <!-- ................................................... -->
40646 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
40647 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
40648 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
40649 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
40650 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
40651 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
40652 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
40653 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
40654 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
40655 and its type, or device. -->
40656 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
40657 start CDATA #REQUIRED
40658 length CDATA #REQUIRED
40659 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
40660 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
40661 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
40662 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40663 @end smallexample
40664
40665 @node Thread List Format
40666 @section Thread List Format
40667 @cindex thread list format
40668
40669 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
40670 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
40671 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
40672 the following structure:
40673
40674 @smallexample
40675 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40676 <threads>
40677 <thread id="id" core="0">
40678 ... description ...
40679 </thread>
40680 </threads>
40681 @end smallexample
40682
40683 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
40684 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
40685 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
40686 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
40687 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
40688
40689 @node Traceframe Info Format
40690 @section Traceframe Info Format
40691 @cindex traceframe info format
40692
40693 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
40694 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
40695 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
40696 collected in a traceframe.
40697
40698 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40699 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
40700
40701 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40702 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40703
40704 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40705
40706 @smallexample
40707 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40708 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
40709 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40710 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
40711 <traceframe-info>
40712 block...
40713 </traceframe-info>
40714 @end smallexample
40715
40716 Each traceframe block can be either:
40717
40718 @itemize
40719
40720 @item
40721 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
40722 @var{length} bytes from there:
40723
40724 @smallexample
40725 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40726 @end smallexample
40727
40728 @end itemize
40729
40730 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
40731
40732 @smallexample
40733 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
40734 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40735
40736 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
40737 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
40738 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
40739 @end smallexample
40740
40741 @node Branch Trace Format
40742 @section Branch Trace Format
40743 @cindex branch trace format
40744
40745 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
40746 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
40747 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
40748 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
40749
40750 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
40751 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
40752
40753 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40754 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40755
40756 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40757
40758 @smallexample
40759 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40760 <!DOCTYPE btrace
40761 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
40762 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
40763 <btrace>
40764 block...
40765 </btrace>
40766 @end smallexample
40767
40768 @itemize
40769
40770 @item
40771 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
40772 and ending at @var{end}:
40773
40774 @smallexample
40775 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
40776 @end smallexample
40777
40778 @end itemize
40779
40780 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
40781
40782 @smallexample
40783 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
40784 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40785
40786 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
40787 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
40788 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
40789 @end smallexample
40790
40791 @include agentexpr.texi
40792
40793 @node Target Descriptions
40794 @appendix Target Descriptions
40795 @cindex target descriptions
40796
40797 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
40798 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
40799 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
40800 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
40801 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
40802 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
40803 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
40804
40805 @itemize @bullet
40806 @item
40807 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
40808 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
40809 @item
40810 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
40811 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
40812 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
40813 @item
40814 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
40815 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
40816 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
40817 @end itemize
40818
40819 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
40820 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
40821 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
40822 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
40823 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
40824
40825 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40826 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
40827
40828 @menu
40829 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
40830 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
40831 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
40832 descriptions.
40833 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
40834 @end menu
40835
40836 @node Retrieving Descriptions
40837 @section Retrieving Descriptions
40838
40839 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
40840 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
40841 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
40842 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
40843 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
40844 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
40845 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
40846 Format}.
40847
40848 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
40849 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
40850 specify a file are:
40851
40852 @table @code
40853 @cindex set tdesc filename
40854 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
40855 Read the target description from @var{path}.
40856
40857 @cindex unset tdesc filename
40858 @item unset tdesc filename
40859 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
40860 will use the description supplied by the current target.
40861
40862 @cindex show tdesc filename
40863 @item show tdesc filename
40864 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
40865 @end table
40866
40867
40868 @node Target Description Format
40869 @section Target Description Format
40870 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
40871
40872 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
40873 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
40874 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
40875 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
40876 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
40877 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
40878 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
40879
40880 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
40881 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
40882 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
40883 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
40884 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
40885
40886 Here is a simple target description:
40887
40888 @smallexample
40889 <target version="1.0">
40890 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
40891 </target>
40892 @end smallexample
40893
40894 @noindent
40895 This minimal description only says that the target uses
40896 the x86-64 architecture.
40897
40898 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
40899 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
40900 are explained further below.
40901
40902 @smallexample
40903 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40904 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
40905 <target version="1.0">
40906 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
40907 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
40908 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
40909 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
40910 </target>
40911 @end smallexample
40912
40913 @noindent
40914 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
40915 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
40916 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
40917 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
40918 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
40919 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
40920 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
40921 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
40922 the version mismatch.
40923
40924 @subsection Inclusion
40925 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
40926 @cindex XInclude
40927 @ifnotinfo
40928 @cindex <xi:include>
40929 @end ifnotinfo
40930
40931 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
40932 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
40933 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
40934 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
40935 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
40936
40937 @smallexample
40938 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
40939 @end smallexample
40940
40941 @noindent
40942 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
40943 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
40944 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
40945 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
40946 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
40947 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
40948 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
40949 original description.
40950
40951 @subsection Architecture
40952 @cindex <architecture>
40953
40954 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
40955
40956 @smallexample
40957 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
40958 @end smallexample
40959
40960 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40961 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40962
40963 @subsection OS ABI
40964 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
40965
40966 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40967 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40968
40969 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
40970
40971 @smallexample
40972 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
40973 @end smallexample
40974
40975 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
40976 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40977
40978 @subsection Compatible Architecture
40979 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
40980
40981 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40982 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40983
40984 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40985
40986 @smallexample
40987 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40988 @end smallexample
40989
40990 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40991 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40992
40993 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40994 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40995 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40996 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40997 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40998 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40999 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
41000
41001 @smallexample
41002 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
41003 <compatible>spu</compatible>
41004 @end smallexample
41005
41006 @subsection Features
41007 @cindex <feature>
41008
41009 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
41010 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
41011 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
41012 has this form:
41013
41014 @smallexample
41015 <feature name="@var{name}">
41016 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
41017 @var{reg}@dots{}
41018 </feature>
41019 @end smallexample
41020
41021 @noindent
41022 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
41023 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
41024 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
41025 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
41026
41027 @subsection Types
41028
41029 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
41030 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
41031 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
41032 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
41033 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
41034
41035 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
41036 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
41037 Types must be defined before they are used.
41038
41039 @cindex <vector>
41040 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
41041 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
41042 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
41043 @var{count}:
41044
41045 @smallexample
41046 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
41047 @end smallexample
41048
41049 @cindex <union>
41050 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
41051 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
41052 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
41053 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
41054
41055 @smallexample
41056 <union id="@var{id}">
41057 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41058 @dots{}
41059 </union>
41060 @end smallexample
41061
41062 @cindex <struct>
41063 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
41064 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
41065 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
41066 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
41067 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
41068 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
41069 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
41070 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
41071
41072 @smallexample
41073 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41074 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41075 @dots{}
41076 </struct>
41077 @end smallexample
41078
41079 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
41080 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
41081
41082 @smallexample
41083 <struct id="@var{id}">
41084 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41085 @dots{}
41086 </struct>
41087 @end smallexample
41088
41089 @cindex <flags>
41090 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
41091 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
41092 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
41093 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
41094 are supported.
41095
41096 @smallexample
41097 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41098 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41099 @dots{}
41100 </flags>
41101 @end smallexample
41102
41103 @subsection Registers
41104 @cindex <reg>
41105
41106 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
41107
41108 @smallexample
41109 <reg name="@var{name}"
41110 bitsize="@var{size}"
41111 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
41112 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
41113 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
41114 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
41115 @end smallexample
41116
41117 @noindent
41118 The components are as follows:
41119
41120 @table @var
41121
41122 @item name
41123 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
41124
41125 @item bitsize
41126 The register's size, in bits.
41127
41128 @item regnum
41129 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
41130 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
41131 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
41132 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
41133 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
41134 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
41135 in order of increasing register number.
41136
41137 @item save-restore
41138 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
41139 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
41140 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
41141 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
41142 ABI.
41143
41144 @item type
41145 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
41146 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
41147 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
41148 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
41149 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
41150 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
41151
41152 @item group
41153 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
41154 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
41155 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
41156 in @code{info registers}.
41157
41158 @end table
41159
41160 @node Predefined Target Types
41161 @section Predefined Target Types
41162 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
41163
41164 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
41165 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
41166 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
41167 types. The currently supported types are:
41168
41169 @table @code
41170
41171 @item int8
41172 @itemx int16
41173 @itemx int32
41174 @itemx int64
41175 @itemx int128
41176 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41177
41178 @item uint8
41179 @itemx uint16
41180 @itemx uint32
41181 @itemx uint64
41182 @itemx uint128
41183 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41184
41185 @item code_ptr
41186 @itemx data_ptr
41187 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
41188 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
41189 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
41190 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
41191 may be marked as data pointers.
41192
41193 @item ieee_single
41194 Single precision IEEE floating point.
41195
41196 @item ieee_double
41197 Double precision IEEE floating point.
41198
41199 @item arm_fpa_ext
41200 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
41201
41202 @item i387_ext
41203 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
41204
41205 @item i386_eflags
41206 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
41207
41208 @item i386_mxcsr
41209 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
41210
41211 @end table
41212
41213 @node Standard Target Features
41214 @section Standard Target Features
41215 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
41216
41217 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
41218 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
41219 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
41220 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
41221 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
41222 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
41223 can recognize them.
41224
41225 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
41226 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
41227 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
41228 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
41229 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
41230 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
41231 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
41232 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
41233
41234 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
41235 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
41236 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
41237
41238 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
41239 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
41240 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
41241 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
41242
41243 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
41244 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
41245 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
41246
41247 @menu
41248 * AArch64 Features::
41249 * ARM Features::
41250 * i386 Features::
41251 * MIPS Features::
41252 * M68K Features::
41253 * Nios II Features::
41254 * PowerPC Features::
41255 * TIC6x Features::
41256 @end menu
41257
41258
41259 @node AArch64 Features
41260 @subsection AArch64 Features
41261 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
41262
41263 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
41264 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
41265 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41266
41267 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
41268 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
41269 and @samp{fpcr}.
41270
41271 @node ARM Features
41272 @subsection ARM Features
41273 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
41274
41275 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
41276 ARM targets.
41277 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
41278 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41279
41280 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
41281 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
41282 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
41283 and @samp{xpsr}.
41284
41285 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
41286 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
41287
41288 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
41289 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
41290 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
41291 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
41292
41293 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
41294 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
41295 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
41296 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
41297 halves of the double-precision registers.
41298
41299 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
41300 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
41301 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
41302 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
41303 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
41304 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
41305
41306 @node i386 Features
41307 @subsection i386 Features
41308 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
41309
41310 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
41311 targets. It should describe the following registers:
41312
41313 @itemize @minus
41314 @item
41315 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
41316 @item
41317 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
41318 @item
41319 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
41320 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
41321 @item
41322 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
41323 @item
41324 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
41325 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
41326 @end itemize
41327
41328 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
41329
41330 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
41331 describe registers:
41332
41333 @itemize @minus
41334 @item
41335 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
41336 @item
41337 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
41338 @item
41339 @samp{mxcsr}
41340 @end itemize
41341
41342 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
41343 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
41344 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
41345
41346 @itemize @minus
41347 @item
41348 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
41349 @item
41350 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
41351 @end itemize
41352
41353 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
41354 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
41355
41356 @node MIPS Features
41357 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
41358 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
41359
41360 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
41361 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
41362 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
41363 on the target.
41364
41365 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
41366 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
41367 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41368
41369 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
41370 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
41371 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
41372 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41373
41374 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
41375 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
41376 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
41377 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41378
41379 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
41380 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
41381 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
41382
41383 @node M68K Features
41384 @subsection M68K Features
41385 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
41386
41387 @table @code
41388 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
41389 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
41390 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
41391 One of those features must be always present.
41392 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
41393 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
41394 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
41395 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
41396
41397 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
41398 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
41399 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
41400 @samp{fpiaddr}.
41401 @end table
41402
41403 @node Nios II Features
41404 @subsection Nios II Features
41405 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
41406
41407 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
41408 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
41409 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
41410 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
41411 @samp{mpuacc}).
41412
41413 @node PowerPC Features
41414 @subsection PowerPC Features
41415 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
41416
41417 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
41418 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
41419 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
41420 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41421
41422 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
41423 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
41424
41425 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
41426 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
41427 and @samp{vrsave}.
41428
41429 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
41430 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
41431 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
41432 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
41433 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
41434 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
41435
41436 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
41437 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
41438 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
41439 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
41440 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
41441 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
41442 user.
41443
41444 @node TIC6x Features
41445 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
41446 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
41447 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
41448 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
41449 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
41450 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
41451
41452 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
41453 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
41454 through @samp{B31}.
41455
41456 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
41457 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
41458
41459 @node Operating System Information
41460 @appendix Operating System Information
41461 @cindex operating system information
41462
41463 @menu
41464 * Process list::
41465 @end menu
41466
41467 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
41468 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
41469 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
41470 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
41471 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
41472 on a different aspect of target.
41473
41474 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
41475 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
41476 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
41477 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
41478
41479 @node Process list
41480 @appendixsection Process list
41481 @cindex operating system information, process list
41482
41483 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
41484 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
41485 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
41486 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
41487
41488 An example document is:
41489
41490 @smallexample
41491 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41492 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
41493 <osdata type="processes">
41494 <item>
41495 <column name="pid">1</column>
41496 <column name="user">root</column>
41497 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
41498 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
41499 </item>
41500 </osdata>
41501 @end smallexample
41502
41503 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
41504 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
41505 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
41506 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
41507 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
41508 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
41509 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
41510
41511 @node Trace File Format
41512 @appendix Trace File Format
41513 @cindex trace file format
41514
41515 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
41516 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
41517
41518 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
41519 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
41520 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
41521 in the future.
41522
41523 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
41524 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
41525 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
41526 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
41527 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
41528 of this section.
41529
41530 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
41531
41532 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
41533 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
41534 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
41535 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
41536 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
41537 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
41538 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
41539 endianness.
41540
41541 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
41542
41543 @table @code
41544 @item R @var{bytes}
41545 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
41546 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
41547 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
41548 hexadecimal encoding.
41549
41550 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
41551 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
41552 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
41553 @var{length} bytes.
41554
41555 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
41556 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
41557 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
41558
41559 @end table
41560
41561 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
41562 of blocks.
41563
41564 @node Index Section Format
41565 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
41566 @cindex .gdb_index section format
41567 @cindex index section format
41568
41569 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
41570 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
41571 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
41572 description.
41573
41574 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
41575 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
41576 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
41577 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
41578 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
41579 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
41580
41581 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
41582
41583 @enumerate
41584 @item
41585 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
41586 unless otherwise noted:
41587
41588 @enumerate
41589 @item
41590 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
41591 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
41592 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
41593 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
41594 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
41595 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
41596 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
41597
41598 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
41599 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
41600 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
41601 currently not flagged as deprecated.
41602
41603 @item
41604 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
41605
41606 @item
41607 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
41608 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
41609 to the next offset.
41610
41611 @item
41612 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
41613
41614 @item
41615 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
41616
41617 @item
41618 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
41619 @end enumerate
41620
41621 @item
41622 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
41623 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
41624 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
41625 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
41626 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
41627 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
41628 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
41629 CU indices.
41630
41631 @item
41632 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
41633 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
41634 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
41635 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
41636
41637 @item
41638 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
41639 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
41640
41641 @enumerate
41642 @item
41643 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
41644
41645 @item
41646 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
41647 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
41648
41649 @item
41650 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
41651 @end enumerate
41652
41653 @item
41654 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
41655 the hash table is always a power of 2.
41656
41657 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
41658 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
41659 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
41660 constant pool.
41661
41662 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
41663 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
41664 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
41665
41666 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
41667 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
41668 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
41669 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
41670 index version:
41671
41672 @table @asis
41673 @item Version 4
41674 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
41675
41676 @item Versions 5 to 7
41677 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
41678 @end table
41679
41680 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
41681
41682 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
41683 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
41684 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
41685 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
41686 collision.
41687
41688 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
41689 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
41690 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
41691 the code.
41692
41693 @item
41694 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
41695 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
41696 strings.
41697
41698 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
41699 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
41700 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
41701 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
41702 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
41703 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
41704
41705 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
41706 @end enumerate
41707
41708 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
41709 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
41710 CU index+attributes value for each use.
41711
41712 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
41713 (bit 0 = LSB):
41714
41715 @table @asis
41716
41717 @item Bits 0-23
41718 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
41719 @item Bits 24-27
41720 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
41721 @item Bits 28-30
41722 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
41723
41724 @table @asis
41725 @item 0
41726 This value is reserved and should not be used.
41727 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
41728 with previous versions of the index.
41729 @item 1
41730 The symbol is a type.
41731 @item 2
41732 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
41733 @item 3
41734 The symbol is a function.
41735 @item 4
41736 Any other kind of symbol.
41737 @item 5,6,7
41738 These values are reserved.
41739 @end table
41740
41741 @item Bit 31
41742 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
41743
41744 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
41745 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
41746 @value{GDBN} sources.
41747
41748 @end table
41749
41750 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
41751 global/static attributes in the index.
41752
41753 @smallexample
41754 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
41755 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
41756 switch (die->tag)
41757 @{
41758 case DW_TAG_typedef:
41759 case DW_TAG_base_type:
41760 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
41761 kind = TYPE;
41762 is_static = 1;
41763 break;
41764 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
41765 kind = VARIABLE;
41766 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41767 break;
41768 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
41769 kind = FUNCTION;
41770 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
41771 break;
41772 case DW_TAG_constant:
41773 kind = VARIABLE;
41774 is_static = ! is_external;
41775 break;
41776 case DW_TAG_variable:
41777 kind = VARIABLE;
41778 is_static = ! is_external;
41779 break;
41780 case DW_TAG_namespace:
41781 kind = TYPE;
41782 is_static = 0;
41783 break;
41784 case DW_TAG_class_type:
41785 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
41786 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
41787 case DW_TAG_union_type:
41788 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
41789 kind = TYPE;
41790 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41791 break;
41792 default:
41793 assert (0);
41794 @}
41795 @end smallexample
41796
41797 @node Man Pages
41798 @appendix Manual pages
41799 @cindex Man pages
41800
41801 @menu
41802 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
41803 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
41804 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
41805 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
41806 @end menu
41807
41808 @node gdb man
41809 @heading gdb man
41810
41811 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
41812
41813 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
41814 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
41815 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
41816 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
41817 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
41818 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
41819 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
41820 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
41821 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
41822 @c man end
41823
41824 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
41825 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
41826 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
41827 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
41828
41829 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
41830 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
41831
41832 @itemize @bullet
41833 @item
41834 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
41835
41836 @item
41837 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
41838
41839 @item
41840 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
41841
41842 @item
41843 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
41844 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
41845 @end itemize
41846
41847 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
41848 Modula-2.
41849
41850 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
41851 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
41852 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
41853 by using the command @code{help}.
41854
41855 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
41856 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
41857 executable program as the argument:
41858
41859 @smallexample
41860 gdb program
41861 @end smallexample
41862
41863 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
41864
41865 @smallexample
41866 gdb program core
41867 @end smallexample
41868
41869 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
41870 to debug a running process:
41871
41872 @smallexample
41873 gdb program 1234
41874 gdb -p 1234
41875 @end smallexample
41876
41877 @noindent
41878 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
41879 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
41880 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
41881
41882 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
41883
41884 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
41885 @table @env
41886 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
41887 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
41888
41889 @item run [@var{arglist}]
41890 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
41891
41892 @item bt
41893 Backtrace: display the program stack.
41894
41895 @item print @var{expr}
41896 Display the value of an expression.
41897
41898 @item c
41899 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
41900
41901 @item next
41902 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
41903 function calls in the line.
41904
41905 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41906 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
41907
41908 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41909 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
41910
41911 @item step
41912 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
41913 function calls in the line.
41914
41915 @item help [@var{name}]
41916 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
41917 about using @value{GDBN}.
41918
41919 @item quit
41920 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
41921 @end table
41922
41923 @ifset man
41924 For full details on @value{GDBN},
41925 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41926 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
41927 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
41928 @end ifset
41929 @c man end
41930
41931 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
41932 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
41933 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
41934 encountered with no
41935 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
41936 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
41937 Many options have
41938 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
41939 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
41940 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
41941 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
41942 more usual convention.)
41943
41944 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
41945 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
41946 option is used.
41947
41948 @table @env
41949 @item -help
41950 @itemx -h
41951 List all options, with brief explanations.
41952
41953 @item -symbols=@var{file}
41954 @itemx -s @var{file}
41955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
41956
41957 @item -write
41958 Enable writing into executable and core files.
41959
41960 @item -exec=@var{file}
41961 @itemx -e @var{file}
41962 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
41963 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
41964 dump.
41965
41966 @item -se=@var{file}
41967 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
41968 file.
41969
41970 @item -core=@var{file}
41971 @itemx -c @var{file}
41972 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
41973
41974 @item -command=@var{file}
41975 @itemx -x @var{file}
41976 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
41977
41978 @item -ex @var{command}
41979 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
41980
41981 @item -directory=@var{directory}
41982 @itemx -d @var{directory}
41983 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
41984
41985 @item -nh
41986 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
41987
41988 @item -nx
41989 @itemx -n
41990 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
41991
41992 @item -quiet
41993 @itemx -q
41994 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
41995 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
41996
41997 @item -batch
41998 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
41999 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
42000 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
42001 commands in the command files.
42002
42003 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
42004 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
42005 more useful, the message
42006
42007 @smallexample
42008 Program exited normally.
42009 @end smallexample
42010
42011 @noindent
42012 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
42013 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
42014
42015 @item -cd=@var{directory}
42016 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
42017 instead of the current directory.
42018
42019 @item -fullname
42020 @itemx -f
42021 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
42022 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
42023 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
42024 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
42025 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
42026 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
42027 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
42028 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
42029
42030 @item -b @var{bps}
42031 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
42032 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
42033
42034 @item -tty=@var{device}
42035 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
42036 @end table
42037 @c man end
42038
42039 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
42040 @ifset man
42041 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42042 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42043 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42044
42045 @smallexample
42046 info gdb
42047 @end smallexample
42048
42049 @noindent
42050 should give you access to the complete manual.
42051
42052 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42053 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42054 @end ifset
42055 @c man end
42056
42057 @node gdbserver man
42058 @heading gdbserver man
42059
42060 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
42061 @format
42062 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
42063 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42064
42065 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42066
42067 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42068 @c man end
42069 @end format
42070
42071 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
42072 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
42073 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
42074
42075 @ifclear man
42076 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
42077 @end ifclear
42078 @ifset man
42079 Usage (server (target) side):
42080 @end ifset
42081
42082 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
42083 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
42084 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
42085 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
42086
42087 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
42088 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
42089 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
42090
42091 @smallexample
42092 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
42093 @end smallexample
42094
42095 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
42096
42097 @smallexample
42098 @ifset man
42099 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
42100 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
42101 @end ifset
42102 @ifclear man
42103 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
42104 @end ifclear
42105 @end smallexample
42106
42107 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
42108 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
42109 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
42110
42111 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
42112
42113 @smallexample
42114 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
42115 @end smallexample
42116
42117 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
42118 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
42119 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
42120 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
42121 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
42122 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
42123 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
42124 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
42125 print an error message and exit.
42126
42127 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
42128 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
42129
42130 @smallexample
42131 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42132 @end smallexample
42133
42134 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42135 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42136
42137 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42138 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
42139 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
42140 the program you want to debug.
42141
42142 @smallexample
42143 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42144 @end smallexample
42145
42146 @ifclear man
42147 @subheading Usage (host side)
42148 @end ifclear
42149 @ifset man
42150 Usage (host side):
42151 @end ifset
42152
42153 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
42154 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
42155 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
42156 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
42157 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
42158 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
42159 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
42160 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
42161 descriptor. For example:
42162
42163 @smallexample
42164 @ifset man
42165 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
42166 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
42167 @end ifset
42168 @ifclear man
42169 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
42170 @end ifclear
42171 @end smallexample
42172
42173 @noindent
42174 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
42175
42176 @smallexample
42177 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
42178 @end smallexample
42179
42180 @noindent
42181 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
42182 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
42183 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
42184 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
42185 `Connection refused'.
42186
42187 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
42188 described in
42189 @ifset man
42190 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
42191 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
42192 @end ifset
42193 @ifclear man
42194 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
42195 @end ifclear
42196 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
42197
42198 @smallexample
42199 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
42200 @end smallexample
42201
42202 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
42203 case.
42204 @c man end
42205
42206 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
42207 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
42208
42209 @itemize @bullet
42210
42211 @item
42212 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
42213
42214 @smallexample
42215 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42216 @end smallexample
42217
42218 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
42219 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
42220 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
42221 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
42222 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
42223 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
42224 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42225
42226 @item
42227 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
42228 program:
42229
42230 @smallexample
42231 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42232 @end smallexample
42233
42234 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
42235 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
42236 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
42237 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42238
42239 @item
42240 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
42241
42242 @smallexample
42243 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42244 @end smallexample
42245
42246 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
42247 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
42248 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
42249 debug several processes in the same session.
42250 @end itemize
42251
42252 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
42253
42254 @table @env
42255
42256 @item --help
42257 List all options, with brief explanations.
42258
42259 @item --version
42260 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
42261
42262 @item --attach
42263 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
42264
42265 @smallexample
42266 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42267 @end smallexample
42268
42269 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42270 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42271
42272 @item --multi
42273 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42274 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
42275 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
42276 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
42277
42278 @smallexample
42279 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42280 @end smallexample
42281
42282 @item --debug
42283 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
42284 process.
42285 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42286 the developers.
42287
42288 @item --remote-debug
42289 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
42290 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42291 the developers.
42292
42293 @item --wrapper
42294 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
42295 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
42296 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
42297 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
42298
42299 @item --once
42300 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
42301 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
42302 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
42303 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
42304
42305 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
42306
42307 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
42308 @c QDisableRandomization.
42309
42310 @end table
42311 @c man end
42312
42313 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
42314 @ifset man
42315 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42316 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42317 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42318
42319 @smallexample
42320 info gdb
42321 @end smallexample
42322
42323 should give you access to the complete manual.
42324
42325 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42326 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42327 @end ifset
42328 @c man end
42329
42330 @node gcore man
42331 @heading gcore
42332
42333 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
42334
42335 @format
42336 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
42337 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
42338 @c man end
42339 @end format
42340
42341 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
42342 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
42343 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
42344 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
42345 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
42346 running without any change.
42347 @c man end
42348
42349 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
42350 @table @env
42351 @item -o @var{filename}
42352 The optional argument
42353 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
42354 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
42355 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
42356 @end table
42357 @c man end
42358
42359 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
42360 @ifset man
42361 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42362 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42363 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42364
42365 @smallexample
42366 info gdb
42367 @end smallexample
42368
42369 @noindent
42370 should give you access to the complete manual.
42371
42372 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42373 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42374 @end ifset
42375 @c man end
42376
42377 @node gdbinit man
42378 @heading gdbinit
42379
42380 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
42381
42382 @format
42383 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
42384 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42385 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42386 @end ifset
42387
42388 ~/.gdbinit
42389
42390 ./.gdbinit
42391 @c man end
42392 @end format
42393
42394 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
42395 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
42396 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
42397 described in
42398 @ifset man
42399 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
42400 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
42401 @end ifset
42402 @ifclear man
42403 @ref{Sequences}.
42404 @end ifclear
42405
42406 Please read more in
42407 @ifset man
42408 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
42409 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
42410 @end ifset
42411 @ifclear man
42412 @ref{Startup}.
42413 @end ifclear
42414
42415 @table @env
42416 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42417 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42418 @end ifset
42419 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42420 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
42421 @end ifclear
42422 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42423 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
42424 See more in
42425 @ifset man
42426 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
42427 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
42428 @end ifset
42429 @ifclear man
42430 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
42431 @end ifclear
42432
42433 @item ~/.gdbinit
42434 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42435 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
42436
42437 @item ./.gdbinit
42438 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
42439 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
42440 See more in
42441 @ifset man
42442 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
42443 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
42444 @end ifset
42445 @ifclear man
42446 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
42447 @end ifclear
42448 @end table
42449 @c man end
42450
42451 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
42452 @ifset man
42453 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
42454
42455 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42456 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42457 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42458
42459 @smallexample
42460 info gdb
42461 @end smallexample
42462
42463 should give you access to the complete manual.
42464
42465 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42466 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42467 @end ifset
42468 @c man end
42469
42470 @include gpl.texi
42471
42472 @node GNU Free Documentation License
42473 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
42474 @include fdl.texi
42475
42476 @node Concept Index
42477 @unnumbered Concept Index
42478
42479 @printindex cp
42480
42481 @node Command and Variable Index
42482 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
42483
42484 @printindex fn
42485
42486 @tex
42487 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
42488 % meantime:
42489 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
42490 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
42491 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
42492 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
42493 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
42494 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
42495 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
42496 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
42497 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
42498 \page\colophon
42499 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
42500 @end tex
42501
42502 @bye
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