btrace, linux: add perf event buffer abstraction
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2015 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 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49 @end direntry
50
51 @copying
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @c man end
66 @end copying
67
68 @ifnottex
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 @end ifset
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78 @insertcopying
79 @end ifnottex
80
81 @titlepage
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @sp 1
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @sp 1
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @end ifset
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91 @page
92 @tex
93 {\parskip=0pt
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97 }
98 @end tex
99
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106 @insertcopying
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @end ifset
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 @end ifclear
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194 @end menu
195
196 @end ifnottex
197
198 @contents
199
200 @node Summary
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210 @itemize @bullet
211 @item
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214 @item
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217 @item
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220 @item
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 @end itemize
224
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230 @ref{D,,D}.
231
232 @cindex Modula-2
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239 @cindex Pascal
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243 syntax.
244
245 @cindex Fortran
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 underscore.
249
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253 @menu
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257 @end menu
258
259 @node Free Software
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 from anyone else.
274
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 gaps today.
286
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
292
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
298
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 community.
319
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 of the manual.
329
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
335
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
342
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366 @node Contributors
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
376
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379 @quotation
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 @end quotation
384
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 releases:
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 support.
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 libraries.
440
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
443
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
451
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 symbols.
458
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 processors.
466
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 watchpoints.
475
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Hat.
515
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Weigand.
535
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544 @node Sample Session
545 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
546
547 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
548 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
549 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
550
551 @iftex
552 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
553 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
554 @end iftex
555
556 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
557 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
558
559 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
560 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
561 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
562 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
563 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
564 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
565 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
566 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
567 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
568
569 @smallexample
570 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
571 $ @b{./m4}
572 @b{define(foo,0000)}
573
574 @b{foo}
575 0000
576 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
577
578 @b{bar}
579 0000
580 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
581
582 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
583 @b{baz}
584 @b{Ctrl-d}
585 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
586 @end smallexample
587
588 @noindent
589 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
590
591 @smallexample
592 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
593 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
594 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
595 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
596 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
597 the conditions.
598 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
599 for details.
600
601 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
602 (@value{GDBP})
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
607 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
608 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
609 that examples fit in this manual.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
613 @end smallexample
614
615 @noindent
616 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
617 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
618 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
619 @code{break} command.
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
623 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
624 @end smallexample
625
626 @noindent
627 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
628 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
629 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
630
631 @smallexample
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
633 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
634 @b{define(foo,0000)}
635
636 @b{foo}
637 0000
638 @end smallexample
639
640 @noindent
641 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
642 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
643 context where it stops.
644
645 @smallexample
646 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
647
648 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
649 at builtin.c:879
650 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
655 the next line of the current function.
656
657 @smallexample
658 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
659 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
660 : nil,
661 @end smallexample
662
663 @noindent
664 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
665 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
666 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
667 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
668
669 @smallexample
670 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
671 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
672 at input.c:530
673 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
674 @end smallexample
675
676 @noindent
677 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
678 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
679 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
680 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
681 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
682 stack frame for each active subroutine.
683
684 @smallexample
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
686 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
687 at input.c:530
688 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
689 at builtin.c:882
690 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
691 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
692 at macro.c:71
693 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
694 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
695 @end smallexample
696
697 @noindent
698 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
699 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
700 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
701
702 @smallexample
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
704 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
706 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
707 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
709 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
710 : xstrdup(rq);
711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
712 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
713 @end smallexample
714
715 @noindent
716 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
717 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
718 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
719 (@code{print}) to see their values.
720
721 @smallexample
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
723 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
725 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
726 @end smallexample
727
728 @noindent
729 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
730 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
731 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
735 533 xfree(rquote);
736 534
737 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
738 : xstrdup (lq);
739 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 : xstrdup (rq);
741 537
742 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
743 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
744 540 @}
745 541
746 542 void
747 @end smallexample
748
749 @noindent
750 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
751 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
752
753 @smallexample
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
757 540 @}
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
759 $3 = 9
760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
761 $4 = 7
762 @end smallexample
763
764 @noindent
765 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
766 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
767 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
768 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
769 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
770 assignments.
771
772 @smallexample
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
774 $5 = 7
775 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
776 $6 = 9
777 @end smallexample
778
779 @noindent
780 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
781 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
782 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
783 example that caused trouble initially:
784
785 @smallexample
786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
787 Continuing.
788
789 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
790
791 baz
792 0000
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
797 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
798 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
799
800 @smallexample
801 @b{Ctrl-d}
802 Program exited normally.
803 @end smallexample
804
805 @noindent
806 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
807 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
808 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
809
810 @smallexample
811 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
812 @end smallexample
813
814 @node Invocation
815 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
816
817 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
818 The essentials are:
819 @itemize @bullet
820 @item
821 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
822 @item
823 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
824 @end itemize
825
826 @menu
827 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
828 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
829 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
830 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
831 @end menu
832
833 @node Invoking GDB
834 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
835
836 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
837 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
838
839 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
840 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
841
842 The command-line options described here are designed
843 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
844 options may effectively be unavailable.
845
846 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
847 specifying an executable program:
848
849 @smallexample
850 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
851 @end smallexample
852
853 @noindent
854 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
855 specified:
856
857 @smallexample
858 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
859 @end smallexample
860
861 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
862 to debug a running process:
863
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
866 @end smallexample
867
868 @noindent
869 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
870 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
871
872 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
873 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
874 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
875 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
876 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
877
878 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
879 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
880 option processing.
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
883 @end smallexample
884 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
885 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
886
887 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
888 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
889 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} --silent
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
897 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
898
899 @noindent
900 Type
901
902 @smallexample
903 @value{GDBP} -help
904 @end smallexample
905
906 @noindent
907 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
908 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
909
910 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
911 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
912 @samp{-x} option is used.
913
914
915 @menu
916 * File Options:: Choosing files
917 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
918 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
919 @end menu
920
921 @node File Options
922 @subsection Choosing Files
923
924 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
925 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
926 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
927 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
928 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
930 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
931 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
932 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
933 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
934 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
935 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
936 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
937
938 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
939 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
940 argument and ignore it.
941
942 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
943 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
944 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
945 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
946 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
947
948 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
949 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
950 @c it.
951
952 @table @code
953 @item -symbols @var{file}
954 @itemx -s @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--symbols}
956 @cindex @code{-s}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
958
959 @item -exec @var{file}
960 @itemx -e @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--exec}
962 @cindex @code{-e}
963 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
964 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
965
966 @item -se @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--se}
968 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
969 file.
970
971 @item -core @var{file}
972 @itemx -c @var{file}
973 @cindex @code{--core}
974 @cindex @code{-c}
975 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
976
977 @item -pid @var{number}
978 @itemx -p @var{number}
979 @cindex @code{--pid}
980 @cindex @code{-p}
981 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
982
983 @item -command @var{file}
984 @itemx -x @var{file}
985 @cindex @code{--command}
986 @cindex @code{-x}
987 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
988 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
989 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
990
991 @item -eval-command @var{command}
992 @itemx -ex @var{command}
993 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
994 @cindex @code{-ex}
995 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
996
997 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
998 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
999
1000 @smallexample
1001 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1002 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1003 @end smallexample
1004
1005 @item -init-command @var{file}
1006 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1007 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1008 @cindex @code{-ix}
1009 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1010 after loading gdbinit files).
1011 @xref{Startup}.
1012
1013 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1014 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1015 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1016 @cindex @code{-iex}
1017 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1018 after loading gdbinit files).
1019 @xref{Startup}.
1020
1021 @item -directory @var{directory}
1022 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1023 @cindex @code{--directory}
1024 @cindex @code{-d}
1025 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1026
1027 @item -r
1028 @itemx -readnow
1029 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1030 @cindex @code{-r}
1031 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1032 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1033 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1034
1035 @end table
1036
1037 @node Mode Options
1038 @subsection Choosing Modes
1039
1040 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1041 batch mode or quiet mode.
1042
1043 @table @code
1044 @anchor{-nx}
1045 @item -nx
1046 @itemx -n
1047 @cindex @code{--nx}
1048 @cindex @code{-n}
1049 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1050 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1051
1052 @table @code
1053 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1054 This is the system-wide init file.
1055 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1056 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1057 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1058 have been processed.
1059 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1060 This is the init file in your home directory.
1061 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1062 command options have been processed.
1063 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1064 This is the init file in the current directory.
1065 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1066 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1067 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1068 @end table
1069
1070 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1071 For documentation on how to write command files,
1072 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1073
1074 @anchor{-nh}
1075 @item -nh
1076 @cindex @code{--nh}
1077 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1078 in your home directory.
1079 @xref{Startup}.
1080
1081 @item -quiet
1082 @itemx -silent
1083 @itemx -q
1084 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1085 @cindex @code{--silent}
1086 @cindex @code{-q}
1087 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1088 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1089
1090 @item -batch
1091 @cindex @code{--batch}
1092 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1093 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1094 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1095 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1096 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1097 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1098 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1099
1100 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1101 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1102 make this more useful, the message
1103
1104 @smallexample
1105 Program exited normally.
1106 @end smallexample
1107
1108 @noindent
1109 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1110 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1111 mode.
1112
1113 @item -batch-silent
1114 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1115 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1116 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1117 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1118 for an interactive session.
1119
1120 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1121 messages, for example.
1122
1123 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1124 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1125
1126 @item -return-child-result
1127 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1128 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1129 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1130
1131 @itemize @bullet
1132 @item
1133 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1134 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1135 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1136 @item
1137 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1138 @item
1139 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1140 the exit code will be -1.
1141 @end itemize
1142
1143 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1144 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1145 interface.
1146
1147 @item -nowindows
1148 @itemx -nw
1149 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1150 @cindex @code{-nw}
1151 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1152 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1153 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1154
1155 @item -windows
1156 @itemx -w
1157 @cindex @code{--windows}
1158 @cindex @code{-w}
1159 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1160 used if possible.
1161
1162 @item -cd @var{directory}
1163 @cindex @code{--cd}
1164 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1165 instead of the current directory.
1166
1167 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1168 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1169 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1170 @cindex @code{-D}
1171 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1172 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1173 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1174
1175 @item -fullname
1176 @itemx -f
1177 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1178 @cindex @code{-f}
1179 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1180 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1181 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1182 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1183 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1184 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1185 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1186 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1187 frame.
1188
1189 @item -annotate @var{level}
1190 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1191 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1192 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1193 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1194 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1195 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1196 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1197 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1198 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1199
1200 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1201 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1202
1203 @item --args
1204 @cindex @code{--args}
1205 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1206 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1207 This option stops option processing.
1208
1209 @item -baud @var{bps}
1210 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1211 @cindex @code{--baud}
1212 @cindex @code{-b}
1213 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1214 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1215
1216 @item -l @var{timeout}
1217 @cindex @code{-l}
1218 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1219 for remote debugging.
1220
1221 @item -tty @var{device}
1222 @itemx -t @var{device}
1223 @cindex @code{--tty}
1224 @cindex @code{-t}
1225 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1226 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1227
1228 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1229 @item -tui
1230 @cindex @code{--tui}
1231 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1232 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1233 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1234 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1235 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1236 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1237
1238 @c @item -xdb
1239 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1240 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1241 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1242 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1243 @c systems.
1244
1245 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1246 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1247 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1248 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1249 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1250 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1251
1252 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1253 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1254 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1255 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1256 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1257 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1258
1259 @item -write
1260 @cindex @code{--write}
1261 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1262 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1263 (@pxref{Patching}).
1264
1265 @item -statistics
1266 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1267 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1268 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1269
1270 @item -version
1271 @cindex @code{--version}
1272 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1273 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1274
1275 @item -configuration
1276 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1277 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1278 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1279 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1280
1281 @end table
1282
1283 @node Startup
1284 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1285 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1286
1287 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1288
1289 @enumerate
1290 @item
1291 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1292 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1293
1294 @item
1295 @cindex init file
1296 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1297 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1298 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1299 that file.
1300
1301 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1302 @item
1303 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1304 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1305 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1306 that file.
1307
1308 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1309 @item
1310 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1311 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1312 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1313 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1314 gets loaded.
1315
1316 @item
1317 Processes command line options and operands.
1318
1319 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1320 @item
1321 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1322 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1323 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1324 This is only done if the current directory is
1325 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1326 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1327 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1328 @value{GDBN}.
1329
1330 @item
1331 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1332 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1333 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1334 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1335
1336 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1337 you must do something like the following:
1338
1339 @smallexample
1340 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1341 @end smallexample
1342
1343 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1344 off too late.
1345
1346 @item
1347 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1348 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1349 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1350
1351 @item
1352 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1353 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1354 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1355 @end enumerate
1356
1357 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1358 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1359 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1360 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1361 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1362 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1363
1364 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1365 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1366
1367 @cindex init file name
1368 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1369 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1370 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1371 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1372 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1373 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1374 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1375 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1376
1377
1378 @node Quitting GDB
1379 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1380 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1381 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1382
1383 @table @code
1384 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1385 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1386 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1387 @itemx q
1388 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1389 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1390 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1391 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1392 error code.
1393 @end table
1394
1395 @cindex interrupt
1396 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1397 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1398 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1399 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1400 until a time when it is safe.
1401
1402 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1403 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1404 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1405
1406 @node Shell Commands
1407 @section Shell Commands
1408
1409 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1410 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1411 just use the @code{shell} command.
1412
1413 @table @code
1414 @kindex shell
1415 @kindex !
1416 @cindex shell escape
1417 @item shell @var{command-string}
1418 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1419 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1420 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1421 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1422 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1423 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1424 @end table
1425
1426 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1427 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1428 @value{GDBN}:
1429
1430 @table @code
1431 @kindex make
1432 @cindex calling make
1433 @item make @var{make-args}
1434 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1435 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1436 @end table
1437
1438 @node Logging Output
1439 @section Logging Output
1440 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1441 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1442
1443 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1444 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1445
1446 @table @code
1447 @kindex set logging
1448 @item set logging on
1449 Enable logging.
1450 @item set logging off
1451 Disable logging.
1452 @cindex logging file name
1453 @item set logging file @var{file}
1454 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1455 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1456 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1457 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1458 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1459 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1460 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1461 @kindex show logging
1462 @item show logging
1463 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1464 @end table
1465
1466 @node Commands
1467 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1468
1469 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1470 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1471 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1472 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1473 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1474
1475 @menu
1476 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1477 * Completion:: Command completion
1478 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1479 @end menu
1480
1481 @node Command Syntax
1482 @section Command Syntax
1483
1484 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1485 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1486 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1487 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1488 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1489 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1490
1491 @cindex abbreviation
1492 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1493 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1494 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1495 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1496 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1497 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1498 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1499
1500 @cindex repeating commands
1501 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1502 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1503 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1504 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1505 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1506 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1507 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1508
1509 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1510 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1511 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1512
1513 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1514 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1515 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1516 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1517 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1518
1519 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1520 @cindex comment
1521 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1522 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1523 Files,,Command Files}).
1524
1525 @cindex repeating command sequences
1526 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1527 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1528 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1529 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1530 for editing.
1531
1532 @node Completion
1533 @section Command Completion
1534
1535 @cindex completion
1536 @cindex word completion
1537 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1538 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1539 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1540 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1541
1542 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1543 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1544 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1545 enter it). For example, if you type
1546
1547 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1548 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1549 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1550 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1551 @smallexample
1552 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1553 @end smallexample
1554
1555 @noindent
1556 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1557 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1558
1559 @smallexample
1560 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1561 @end smallexample
1562
1563 @noindent
1564 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1565 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1566 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1567 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1568 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1569 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1570
1571 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1572 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1573 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1574 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1575 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1576 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1577 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1578 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1579 example:
1580
1581 @smallexample
1582 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1583 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1584 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1585 make_abs_section make_function_type
1586 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1587 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1588 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1589 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1590 @end smallexample
1591
1592 @noindent
1593 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1594 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1595 command.
1596
1597 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1598 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1599 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1600 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1601 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1602
1603 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1604 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1605 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1606
1607 @smallexample
1608 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1609 main
1610 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1611 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1612 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1613 @end smallexample
1614
1615 @noindent
1616 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1617
1618 @table @code
1619 @kindex set max-completions
1620 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1621 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1622 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1623 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1624 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1625 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1626 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1627 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1628 completion slow.
1629 @kindex show max-completions
1630 @item show max-completions
1631 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1632 during completion.
1633 @end table
1634
1635 @cindex quotes in commands
1636 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1637 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1638 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1639 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1640 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1641 @value{GDBN} commands.
1642
1643 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1644 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1645 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1646 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1647 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1648 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1649 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1650 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1651 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1652 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1653 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1654
1655 @smallexample
1656 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1657 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1658 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1659 @end smallexample
1660
1661 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1662 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1663 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1664 place:
1665
1666 @smallexample
1667 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1668 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1669 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1670 @end smallexample
1671
1672 @noindent
1673 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1674 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1675 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1676
1677 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1678 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1679 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1680 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1681
1682 @cindex completion of structure field names
1683 @cindex structure field name completion
1684 @cindex completion of union field names
1685 @cindex union field name completion
1686 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1687 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1688 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1689 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1690 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1691 left-hand-side:
1692
1693 @smallexample
1694 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1695 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1696 to_data to_isatty to_write
1697 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1698 to_flush to_read
1699 @end smallexample
1700
1701 @noindent
1702 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1703 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1704 follows:
1705
1706 @smallexample
1707 struct ui_file
1708 @{
1709 int *magic;
1710 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1711 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1712 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1713 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1714 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1715 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1716 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1717 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1718 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1719 void *to_data;
1720 @}
1721 @end smallexample
1722
1723
1724 @node Help
1725 @section Getting Help
1726 @cindex online documentation
1727 @kindex help
1728
1729 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1730 using the command @code{help}.
1731
1732 @table @code
1733 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1734 @item help
1735 @itemx h
1736 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1737 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1738
1739 @smallexample
1740 (@value{GDBP}) help
1741 List of classes of commands:
1742
1743 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1744 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1745 data -- Examining data
1746 files -- Specifying and examining files
1747 internals -- Maintenance commands
1748 obscure -- Obscure features
1749 running -- Running the program
1750 stack -- Examining the stack
1751 status -- Status inquiries
1752 support -- Support facilities
1753 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1754 stopping the program
1755 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1756
1757 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1758 commands in that class.
1759 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1760 documentation.
1761 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1762 (@value{GDBP})
1763 @end smallexample
1764 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1765
1766 @item help @var{class}
1767 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1768 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1769 help display for the class @code{status}:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1773 Status inquiries.
1774
1775 List of commands:
1776
1777 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1778 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1779 info -- Generic command for showing things
1780 about the program being debugged
1781 show -- Generic command for showing things
1782 about the debugger
1783
1784 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1785 documentation.
1786 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1787 (@value{GDBP})
1788 @end smallexample
1789
1790 @item help @var{command}
1791 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1792 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1793
1794 @kindex apropos
1795 @item apropos @var{args}
1796 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1797 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1798 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1799
1800 @smallexample
1801 apropos alias
1802 @end smallexample
1803
1804 @noindent
1805 results in:
1806
1807 @smallexample
1808 @c @group
1809 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1810 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1811 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1812 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1813 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1814 @c @end group
1815 @end smallexample
1816
1817 @kindex complete
1818 @item complete @var{args}
1819 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1820 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1821 command you want completed. For example:
1822
1823 @smallexample
1824 complete i
1825 @end smallexample
1826
1827 @noindent results in:
1828
1829 @smallexample
1830 @group
1831 if
1832 ignore
1833 info
1834 inspect
1835 @end group
1836 @end smallexample
1837
1838 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1839 @end table
1840
1841 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1842 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1843 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1844 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1845 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1846 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1847 Index}.
1848
1849 @c @group
1850 @table @code
1851 @kindex info
1852 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1853 @item info
1854 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1855 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1856 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1857 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1858 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1859 @w{@code{help info}}.
1860
1861 @kindex set
1862 @item set
1863 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1864 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1865 @code{set prompt $}.
1866
1867 @kindex show
1868 @item show
1869 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1870 @value{GDBN} itself.
1871 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1872 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1873 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1874 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1875
1876 @kindex info set
1877 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1878 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1879 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1880 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1881 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1882 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1883 @end table
1884 @c @end group
1885
1886 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1887 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1888
1889 @table @code
1890 @kindex show version
1891 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1892 @item show version
1893 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1894 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1895 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1896 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1897 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1898 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1899 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1900 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1901 @value{GDBN}.
1902
1903 @kindex show copying
1904 @kindex info copying
1905 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1906 @item show copying
1907 @itemx info copying
1908 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1909
1910 @kindex show warranty
1911 @kindex info warranty
1912 @item show warranty
1913 @itemx info warranty
1914 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1915 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1916
1917 @kindex show configuration
1918 @item show configuration
1919 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1920 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1921 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1922 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1923 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1924 your report.
1925
1926 @end table
1927
1928 @node Running
1929 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1930
1931 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1932 debugging information when you compile it.
1933
1934 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1935 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1936 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1937 kill a child process.
1938
1939 @menu
1940 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1941 * Starting:: Starting your program
1942 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1943 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1944
1945 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1946 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1947 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1948 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1949
1950 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1951 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1952 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1953 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1954 @end menu
1955
1956 @node Compilation
1957 @section Compiling for Debugging
1958
1959 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1960 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1961 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1962 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1963 and addresses in the executable code.
1964
1965 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1966 the compiler.
1967
1968 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1969 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1970 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1971 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1972 executables containing debugging information.
1973
1974 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1975 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1976 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1977 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1978 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1979
1980 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1981 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1982 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1983
1984 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1985 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1986 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1987 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1988 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1989 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1990
1991 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1992 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1993 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1994
1995 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1996 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1997 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1998 format in @value{GDBN}.
1999
2000 @need 2000
2001 @node Starting
2002 @section Starting your Program
2003 @cindex starting
2004 @cindex running
2005
2006 @table @code
2007 @kindex run
2008 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2009 @item run
2010 @itemx r
2011 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2012 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2013 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2014 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2015 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2016
2017 @end table
2018
2019 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2020 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2021 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2022 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2023 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2024 message like this one:
2025
2026 @smallexample
2027 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2028 Try "help target" or "continue".
2029 @end smallexample
2030
2031 @noindent
2032 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2033 first (@pxref{load}).
2034
2035 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2036 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2037 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2038 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2039 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2040 divided into four categories:
2041
2042 @table @asis
2043 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2044 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2045 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2046 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2047 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2048 the arguments.
2049 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2050 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2051 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2052 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2053 below for details).
2054
2055 @item The @emph{environment.}
2056 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2057 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2058 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2059 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2060
2061 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2062 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2063 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2064 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2065
2066 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2067 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2068 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2069 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2070 set a different device for your program.
2071 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2072
2073 @cindex pipes
2074 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2075 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2076 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2077 wrong program.
2078 @end table
2079
2080 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2081 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2082 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2083 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2084 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2085
2086 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2087 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2088 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2089 your current breakpoints.
2090
2091 @table @code
2092 @kindex start
2093 @item start
2094 @cindex run to main procedure
2095 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2096 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2097 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2098 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2099 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2100 procedure, depending on the language used.
2101
2102 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2103 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2104 the @samp{run} command.
2105
2106 @cindex elaboration phase
2107 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2108 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2109 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2110 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2111 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2112 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2113 will remain to halt execution.
2114
2115 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2116 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2117 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2118 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2119 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2120
2121 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2122 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2123 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2124 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2125 elaboration code before running your program.
2126
2127 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2128 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2129 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2130 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2131 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2132 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2133 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2134 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2135 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2136 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2137 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2138 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2139
2140 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2141 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2142 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2143 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2144
2145 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2146 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2147 environment:
2148
2149 @smallexample
2150 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2151 (@value{GDBP}) run
2152 @end smallexample
2153
2154 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2155 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2156
2157 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2158 @item set startup-with-shell
2159 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2160 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2161 @itemx show set startup-with-shell
2162 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2163 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2164 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2165 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2166 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2167 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2168 startup failures such as:
2169
2170 @smallexample
2171 (@value{GDBP}) run
2172 Starting program: ./a.out
2173 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2174 @end smallexample
2175
2176 @noindent
2177 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2178 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2179 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2180 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2181 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2182 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2183
2184 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2185 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2186 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2187 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2188 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2189 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2190
2191 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2192 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2193 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2194 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2195 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2196 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2197
2198 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2199 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2200 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2201
2202 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2203 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2204
2205 @smallexample
2206 (@value{GDBP}) run
2207 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2208 @end smallexample
2209
2210 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2211 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2212
2213 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2214 @code{target native} command. For example,
2215
2216 @smallexample
2217 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2218 (@value{GDBP}) run
2219 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2220 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2221 (@value{GDBP}) run
2222 Starting program: ./a.out
2223 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2224 @end smallexample
2225
2226 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2227 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2228 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2229 disconnect.
2230
2231 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2232 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2233 proc}, @code{info os}.
2234
2235 @kindex set disable-randomization
2236 @item set disable-randomization
2237 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2238 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2239 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2240 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2241 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2242
2243 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2244 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2245
2246 @smallexample
2247 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2248 @end smallexample
2249
2250 @item set disable-randomization off
2251 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2252 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2253 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2254 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2255 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2256 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2257
2258 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2259 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2260 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2261 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2262 a code at its expected addresses.
2263
2264 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2265 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2266 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2267 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2268 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2269 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2270 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2271 a randomly chosen address.
2272
2273 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2274 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2275 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2276 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2277 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2278
2279 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2280 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2281
2282 @item show disable-randomization
2283 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2284 the virtual address space of the started program.
2285
2286 @end table
2287
2288 @node Arguments
2289 @section Your Program's Arguments
2290
2291 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2292 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2293 @code{run} command.
2294 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2295 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2296 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2297 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2298 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2299
2300 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2301 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2302 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2303 the program, not by the shell.
2304
2305 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2306 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2307
2308 @table @code
2309 @kindex set args
2310 @item set args
2311 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2312 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2313 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2314 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2315 it again without arguments.
2316
2317 @kindex show args
2318 @item show args
2319 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2320 @end table
2321
2322 @node Environment
2323 @section Your Program's Environment
2324
2325 @cindex environment (of your program)
2326 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2327 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2328 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2329 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2330 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2331 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2332 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex path
2336 @item path @var{directory}
2337 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2338 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2339 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2340 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2341 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2342 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2343 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2344
2345 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2346 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2347 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2348 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2349 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2350 @var{directory} to the search path.
2351 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2352 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2353
2354 @kindex show paths
2355 @item show paths
2356 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2357 environment variable).
2358
2359 @kindex show environment
2360 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2361 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2362 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2363 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2364 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2365
2366 @kindex set environment
2367 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2368 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2369 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2370 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2371 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2372 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2373 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2374 null value.
2375 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2376 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2377
2378 For example, this command:
2379
2380 @smallexample
2381 set env USER = foo
2382 @end smallexample
2383
2384 @noindent
2385 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2386 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2387 are not actually required.)
2388
2389 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2390 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2391 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2392 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2393 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2394
2395 @kindex unset environment
2396 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2397 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2398 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2399 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2400 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2401 @end table
2402
2403 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2404 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2405 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2406 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2407 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2408 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2409 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2410 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2411 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2412 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2413
2414 @node Working Directory
2415 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2416
2417 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2418 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2419 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2420 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2421 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2422 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2423
2424 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2425 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2426 Specify Files}.
2427
2428 @table @code
2429 @kindex cd
2430 @cindex change working directory
2431 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2432 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2433 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2434
2435 @kindex pwd
2436 @item pwd
2437 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2438 @end table
2439
2440 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2441 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2442 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2443 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2444 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2445 current working directory of the debuggee.
2446
2447 @node Input/Output
2448 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2449
2450 @cindex redirection
2451 @cindex i/o
2452 @cindex terminal
2453 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2454 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2455 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2456 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2457 running your program.
2458
2459 @table @code
2460 @kindex info terminal
2461 @item info terminal
2462 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2463 program is using.
2464 @end table
2465
2466 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2467 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2468
2469 @smallexample
2470 run > outfile
2471 @end smallexample
2472
2473 @noindent
2474 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2475
2476 @kindex tty
2477 @cindex controlling terminal
2478 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2479 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2480 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2481 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2482 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2483
2484 @smallexample
2485 tty /dev/ttyb
2486 @end smallexample
2487
2488 @noindent
2489 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2490 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2491 that as their controlling terminal.
2492
2493 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2494 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2495 terminal.
2496
2497 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2498 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2499 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2500 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2501
2502 @cindex inferior tty
2503 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2504 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2505 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2506 program.
2507
2508 @table @code
2509 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2510 @kindex set inferior-tty
2511 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2512
2513 @item show inferior-tty
2514 @kindex show inferior-tty
2515 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2516 @end table
2517
2518 @node Attach
2519 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2520 @kindex attach
2521 @cindex attach
2522
2523 @table @code
2524 @item attach @var{process-id}
2525 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2526 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2527 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2528 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2529 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2530
2531 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2532 executing the command.
2533 @end table
2534
2535 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2536 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2537 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2538 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2539
2540 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2541 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2542 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2543 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2544 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2545 Specify Files}.
2546
2547 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2548 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2549 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2550 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2551 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2552 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2553 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2554
2555 @table @code
2556 @kindex detach
2557 @item detach
2558 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2559 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2560 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2561 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2562 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2563 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2564 executing the command.
2565 @end table
2566
2567 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2568 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2569 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2570 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2571 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2572 Messages}).
2573
2574 @node Kill Process
2575 @section Killing the Child Process
2576
2577 @table @code
2578 @kindex kill
2579 @item kill
2580 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2581 @end table
2582
2583 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2584 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2585 is running.
2586
2587 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2588 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2589 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2590 outside the debugger.
2591
2592 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2593 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2594 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2595 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2596 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2597 breakpoint settings).
2598
2599 @node Inferiors and Programs
2600 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2601
2602 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2603 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2604 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2605 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2606 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2607 from multiple executables.
2608
2609 @cindex inferior
2610 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2611 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2612 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2613 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2614 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2615 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2616 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2617 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2618 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2619 threads running in it.
2620
2621 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2622 inferiors}}:
2623
2624 @table @code
2625 @kindex info inferiors
2626 @item info inferiors
2627 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2628
2629 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2630
2631 @enumerate
2632 @item
2633 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2634
2635 @item
2636 the target system's inferior identifier
2637
2638 @item
2639 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2640
2641 @end enumerate
2642
2643 @noindent
2644 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2645 indicates the current inferior.
2646
2647 For example,
2648 @end table
2649 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2650
2651 @smallexample
2652 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2653 Num Description Executable
2654 2 process 2307 hello
2655 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2656 @end smallexample
2657
2658 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2659
2660 @table @code
2661 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2662 @item inferior @var{infno}
2663 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2664 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2665 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2666 @end table
2667
2668
2669 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2670 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2671 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2672 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2673 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2674 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2675
2676 @table @code
2677 @kindex add-inferior
2678 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2679 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2680 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2681 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2682 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2683 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2684
2685 @kindex clone-inferior
2686 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2687 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2688 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2689 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2690 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2691
2692 @smallexample
2693 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2694 Num Description Executable
2695 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2696 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2697 Added inferior 2.
2698 1 inferiors added.
2699 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2700 Num Description Executable
2701 2 <null> helloworld
2702 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2703 @end smallexample
2704
2705 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2706
2707 @kindex remove-inferiors
2708 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2709 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2710 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2711 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2712
2713 @end table
2714
2715 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2716 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2717 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2718 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2719
2720 @table @code
2721 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2722 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2723 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2724 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2725 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2726 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2727
2728 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2729 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2730 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2731 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2732 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2733 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2734 @end table
2735
2736 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2737 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2738 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2739 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2740
2741
2742 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2743 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2744
2745 @table @code
2746 @kindex set print inferior-events
2747 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2748 @item set print inferior-events
2749 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2750 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2751 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2752 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2753 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2754 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2755
2756 @kindex show print inferior-events
2757 @item show print inferior-events
2758 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2759 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2760 @end table
2761
2762 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2763 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2764 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2765
2766
2767 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2768 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2769 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2770 info program-spaces}} command.
2771
2772 @table @code
2773 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2774 @item maint info program-spaces
2775 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2776 @value{GDBN}.
2777
2778 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2779
2780 @enumerate
2781 @item
2782 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2783
2784 @item
2785 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2786 the @code{file} command.
2787
2788 @end enumerate
2789
2790 @noindent
2791 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2792 indicates the current program space.
2793
2794 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2795 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2796 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2797
2798 @smallexample
2799 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2800 Id Executable
2801 2 goodbye
2802 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2803 * 1 hello
2804 @end smallexample
2805
2806 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2807 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2808 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2809 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2810 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2811
2812 @smallexample
2813 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2814 Id Executable
2815 * 1 vfork-test
2816 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2817 @end smallexample
2818
2819 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2820 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2821 @end table
2822
2823 @node Threads
2824 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2825
2826 @cindex threads of execution
2827 @cindex multiple threads
2828 @cindex switching threads
2829 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2830 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2831 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2832 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2833 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2834 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2835 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2836
2837 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2838 programs:
2839
2840 @itemize @bullet
2841 @item automatic notification of new threads
2842 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2843 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2844 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2845 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2846 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2847 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2848 messages on thread start and exit.
2849 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2850 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2851 isn't compatible with the program.
2852 @end itemize
2853
2854 @quotation
2855 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2856 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2857 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2858 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2859 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2860 like this:
2861
2862 @smallexample
2863 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2864 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2865 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2866 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2867 @end smallexample
2868 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2869 @c doesn't support threads"?
2870 @end quotation
2871
2872 @cindex focus of debugging
2873 @cindex current thread
2874 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2875 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2876 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2877 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2878 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2879
2880 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2881 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2882 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2883 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2884 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2885 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2886 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2887 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2888 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2889 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2890
2891 @smallexample
2892 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2893 @end smallexample
2894
2895 @noindent
2896 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2897 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2898 further qualifier.
2899
2900 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2901 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2902 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2903 @c program?
2904 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2905 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2906 @c threads ab initio?
2907
2908 @cindex thread number
2909 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2910 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2911 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2912
2913 @table @code
2914 @kindex info threads
2915 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2916 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2917 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2918 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2919 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2920
2921 @enumerate
2922 @item
2923 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2924
2925 @item
2926 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2927
2928 @item
2929 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2930 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2931 program itself.
2932
2933 @item
2934 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2935 @end enumerate
2936
2937 @noindent
2938 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2939 indicates the current thread.
2940
2941 For example,
2942 @end table
2943 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2944
2945 @smallexample
2946 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2947 Id Target Id Frame
2948 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2949 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2950 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2951 at threadtest.c:68
2952 @end smallexample
2953
2954 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2955 Solaris-specific command:
2956
2957 @table @code
2958 @item maint info sol-threads
2959 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2960 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2961 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2962 @end table
2963
2964 @table @code
2965 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2966 @item thread @var{threadno}
2967 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2968 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2969 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2970 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2971 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2972
2973 @smallexample
2974 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2975 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2976 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2977 8 printf ("hello\n");
2978 @end smallexample
2979
2980 @noindent
2981 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2982 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2983 threads.
2984
2985 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2986 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2987 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2988 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2989 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2990 information on convenience variables.
2991
2992 @kindex thread apply
2993 @cindex apply command to several threads
2994 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all [-ascending]] @var{command}
2995 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2996 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2997 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2998 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2999 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
3000 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply
3001 a command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
3002 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
3003 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
3004
3005
3006 @kindex thread name
3007 @cindex name a thread
3008 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3009 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3010 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3011 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3012
3013 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3014 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3015 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3016 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3017 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3018
3019 @kindex thread find
3020 @cindex search for a thread
3021 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3022 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3023 matches the supplied regular expression.
3024
3025 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3026 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3027 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3028 is the LWP id.
3029
3030 @smallexample
3031 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3032 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3033 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3034 Id Target Id Frame
3035 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3036 @end smallexample
3037
3038 @kindex set print thread-events
3039 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3040 @item set print thread-events
3041 @itemx set print thread-events on
3042 @itemx set print thread-events off
3043 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3044 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3045 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3046 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3047 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3048
3049 @kindex show print thread-events
3050 @item show print thread-events
3051 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3052 have started and exited.
3053 @end table
3054
3055 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3056 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3057 programs with multiple threads.
3058
3059 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3060 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3061
3062 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3063 @table @code
3064 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3065 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3066 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3067 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3068 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3069 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3070 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3071 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3072 macro.
3073
3074 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3075 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3076 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3077 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3078 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3079 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3080
3081 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3082 refers to the default system directories that are
3083 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3084 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3085 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3086
3087 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3088 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3089 was loaded in the inferior process.
3090
3091 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3092 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3093 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3094 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3095 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3096 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3097 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3098
3099 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3100 only on some platforms.
3101
3102 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3103 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3104 Display current libthread_db search path.
3105
3106 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3107 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3108 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3109 @item set debug libthread-db
3110 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3111 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3112 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3113 @end table
3114
3115 @node Forks
3116 @section Debugging Forks
3117
3118 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3119 @cindex multiple processes
3120 @cindex processes, multiple
3121 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3122 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3123 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3124 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3125 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3126 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3127 will cause it to terminate.
3128
3129 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3130 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3131 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3132 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3133 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3134 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3135 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3136 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3137 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3138 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3139
3140 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3141 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3142 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3143 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3144
3145 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3146 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3147
3148 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3149 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3150
3151 @table @code
3152 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3153 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3154 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3155 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3156 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3157
3158 @table @code
3159 @item parent
3160 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3161 unimpeded. This is the default.
3162
3163 @item child
3164 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3165 unimpeded.
3166
3167 @end table
3168
3169 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3170 @item show follow-fork-mode
3171 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3172 @end table
3173
3174 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3175 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3176 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3177
3178 @table @code
3179 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3180 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3181 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3182 retain debugger control over them both.
3183
3184 @table @code
3185 @item on
3186 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3187 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3188 independently. This is the default.
3189
3190 @item off
3191 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3192 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3193 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3194 is held suspended.
3195
3196 @end table
3197
3198 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3199 @item show detach-on-fork
3200 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3201 @end table
3202
3203 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3204 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3205 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3206 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3207 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3208 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3209
3210 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3211 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3212 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3213 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3214 and Programs}.
3215
3216 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3217 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3218 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3219 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3220 the child process's @code{main}.
3221
3222 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3223 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3224
3225 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3226 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3227 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3228 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3229 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3230 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3231 command.
3232
3233 @table @code
3234 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3235 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3236
3237 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3238 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3239
3240 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3241
3242 @table @code
3243 @item new
3244 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3245 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3246 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3247 original inferior.
3248
3249 For example:
3250
3251 @smallexample
3252 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3253 (gdb) info inferior
3254 Id Description Executable
3255 * 1 <null> prog1
3256 (@value{GDBP}) run
3257 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3258 Program exited normally.
3259 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3260 Id Description Executable
3261 * 2 <null> prog2
3262 1 <null> prog1
3263 @end smallexample
3264
3265 @item same
3266 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3267 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3268 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3269 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3270 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3271
3272 For example:
3273
3274 @smallexample
3275 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3276 Id Description Executable
3277 * 1 <null> prog1
3278 (@value{GDBP}) run
3279 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3280 Program exited normally.
3281 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3282 Id Description Executable
3283 * 1 <null> prog2
3284 @end smallexample
3285
3286 @end table
3287 @end table
3288
3289 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3290 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3291 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3292
3293 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3294 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3295
3296 @cindex checkpoint
3297 @cindex restart
3298 @cindex bookmark
3299 @cindex snapshot of a process
3300 @cindex rewind program state
3301
3302 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3303 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3304 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3305 later.
3306
3307 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3308 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3309 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3310 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3311 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3312
3313 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3314 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3315 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3316 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3317 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3318 start again from there.
3319
3320 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3321 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3322
3323 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3324
3325 @table @code
3326 @kindex checkpoint
3327 @item checkpoint
3328 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3329 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3330 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3331
3332 @kindex info checkpoints
3333 @item info checkpoints
3334 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3335 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3336 listed:
3337
3338 @table @code
3339 @item Checkpoint ID
3340 @item Process ID
3341 @item Code Address
3342 @item Source line, or label
3343 @end table
3344
3345 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3346 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3347 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3348 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3349 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3350 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3351 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3352
3353 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3354 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3355 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3356 the debugger.
3357
3358 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3359 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3360 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3361
3362 @end table
3363
3364 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3365 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3366 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3367 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3368 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3369 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3370 previously read data can be read again.
3371
3372 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3373 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3374 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3375 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3376 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3377 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3378
3379 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3380 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3381 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3382 different execution path this time.
3383
3384 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3385 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3386 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3387 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3388 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3389 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3390 potentially pose a problem.
3391
3392 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3393
3394 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3395 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3396 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3397 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3398 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3399 next.
3400
3401 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3402 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3403 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3404 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3405 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3406
3407 @node Stopping
3408 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3409
3410 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3411 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3412 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3413
3414 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3415 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3416 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3417 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3418 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3419 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3420 explicitly request this information at any time.
3421
3422 @table @code
3423 @kindex info program
3424 @item info program
3425 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3426 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3427 @end table
3428
3429 @menu
3430 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3431 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3432 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3433 Skipping over functions and files
3434 * Signals:: Signals
3435 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3436 @end menu
3437
3438 @node Breakpoints
3439 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3440
3441 @cindex breakpoints
3442 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3443 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3444 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3445 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3446 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3447 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3448 program.
3449
3450 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3451 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3452 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3453 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3454 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3455 call).
3456
3457 @cindex watchpoints
3458 @cindex data breakpoints
3459 @cindex memory tracing
3460 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3461 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3462 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3463 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3464 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3465 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3466 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3467 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3468 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3469 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3470 same commands.
3471
3472 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3473 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3474 Automatic Display}.
3475
3476 @cindex catchpoints
3477 @cindex breakpoint on events
3478 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3479 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3480 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3481 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3482 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3483 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3484 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3485
3486 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3487 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3488 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3489 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3490 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3491 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3492 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3493 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3494 enable it again.
3495
3496 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3497 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3498 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3499 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3500 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3501 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3502 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3503
3504 @menu
3505 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3506 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3507 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3508 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3509 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3510 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3511 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3512 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3513 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3514 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3515 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3516 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3517 @end menu
3518
3519 @node Set Breaks
3520 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3521
3522 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3523 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3524 @c
3525 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3526
3527 @kindex break
3528 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3529 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3530 @cindex latest breakpoint
3531 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3532 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3533 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3534 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3535 convenience variables.
3536
3537 @table @code
3538 @item break @var{location}
3539 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3540 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3541 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3542 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3543 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3544
3545 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3546 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3547 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3548 that situation.
3549
3550 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3551 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3552 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3553
3554 @item break
3555 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3556 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3557 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3558 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3559 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3560 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3561 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3562 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3563 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3564 inside loops.
3565
3566 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3567 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3568 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3569 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3570 existed when your program stopped.
3571
3572 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3573 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3574 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3575 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3576 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3577 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3578 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3579
3580 @kindex tbreak
3581 @item tbreak @var{args}
3582 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3583 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3584 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3585 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3586
3587 @kindex hbreak
3588 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3589 @item hbreak @var{args}
3590 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3591 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3592 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3593 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3594 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3595 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3596 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3597 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3598 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3599 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3600 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3601 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3602 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3603 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3604 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3605 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3606 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3607 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3608
3609 @kindex thbreak
3610 @item thbreak @var{args}
3611 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3612 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3613 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3614 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3615 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3616 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3617 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3618 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3619
3620 @kindex rbreak
3621 @cindex regular expression
3622 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3623 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3624 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3625 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3626 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3627 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3628 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3629 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3630 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3631
3632 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3633 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3634 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3635 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3636 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3637 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3638
3639 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3640 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3641 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3642 classes.
3643
3644 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3645 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3646 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3647
3648 @smallexample
3649 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3653 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3654 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3655 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3656 every function in a given file:
3657
3658 @smallexample
3659 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3660 @end smallexample
3661
3662 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3663 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3664
3665 @kindex info breakpoints
3666 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3667 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3668 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3669 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3670 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3671 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3672 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3673
3674 @table @emph
3675 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3676 @item Type
3677 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3678 @item Disposition
3679 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3680 @item Enabled or Disabled
3681 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3682 that are not enabled.
3683 @item Address
3684 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3685 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3686 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3687 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3688 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3689 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3690 @item What
3691 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3692 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3693 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3694 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3695 @end table
3696
3697 @noindent
3698 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3699 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3700 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3701 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3702 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3703 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3704
3705 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3706 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3707 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3708 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3709
3710 @noindent
3711 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3712 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3713 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3714 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3715 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3716
3717 @noindent
3718 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3719 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3720 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3721 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3722 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3723 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3724
3725 @noindent
3726 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3727 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3728
3729 @end table
3730
3731 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3732 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3733 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3734 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3735
3736 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3737 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3738 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3739 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3740
3741 @itemize @bullet
3742 @item
3743 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3744
3745 @item
3746 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3747 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3748
3749 @item
3750 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3751 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3752
3753 @item
3754 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3755 several places where that function is inlined.
3756 @end itemize
3757
3758 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3759 the relevant locations.
3760
3761 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3762 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3763 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3764 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3765 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3766 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3767 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3768
3769 For example:
3770
3771 @smallexample
3772 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3773 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3774 stop only if i==1
3775 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3776 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3777 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3778 @end smallexample
3779
3780 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3781 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3782 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3783 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3784 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3785 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3786 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3787 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3788 that belong to that breakpoint.
3789
3790 @cindex pending breakpoints
3791 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3792 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3793 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3794 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3795 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3796 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3797 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3798 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3799 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3800 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3801 is not yet resolved.
3802
3803 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3804 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3805 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3806 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3807 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3808 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3809
3810 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3811 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3812 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3813 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3814
3815 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3816 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3817 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3818
3819 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3820 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3821 address specification to an address:
3822
3823 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3824 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3825 @table @code
3826 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3827 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3828 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3829
3830 @item set breakpoint pending on
3831 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3832 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3833
3834 @item set breakpoint pending off
3835 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3836 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3837 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3838
3839 @item show breakpoint pending
3840 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3841 @end table
3842
3843 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3844 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3845 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3846
3847 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3848 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3849 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3850 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3851 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3852 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3853 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3854 breakpoints.
3855
3856 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3857
3858 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3859 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3860 @table @code
3861 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3862 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3863 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3864 breakpoint must be used.
3865
3866 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3867 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3868 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3869 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3870 @end table
3871
3872 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3873 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3874 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3875 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3876 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3877 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3878 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3879 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3880 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3881
3882 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3883 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3884 @table @code
3885 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3886 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3887 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3888 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
3889
3890 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3891 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3892 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3893 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3894 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
3895 @end table
3896
3897 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3898 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3899 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3900
3901 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3902 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3903
3904 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3905
3906 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3907 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3908 @table @code
3909 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3910 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3911 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3912 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3913 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3914
3915 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3916 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3917 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3918 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3919 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3920 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3921 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3922 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3923 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3924 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3925 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3926 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3927 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3928
3929 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3930 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3931 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3932 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3933 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3934 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3935 @end table
3936
3937
3938 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3939 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3940 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3941 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3942 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3943 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3944 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3945 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3946
3947
3948 @node Set Watchpoints
3949 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3950
3951 @cindex setting watchpoints
3952 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3953 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3954 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3955 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3956 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3957
3958 @itemize @bullet
3959 @item
3960 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3961
3962 @item
3963 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3964 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3965 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3966
3967 @item
3968 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3969 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3970 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3971 @end itemize
3972
3973 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3974 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3975 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3976 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3977 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3978 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3979 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3980 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3981 the expression changes.
3982
3983 @cindex software watchpoints
3984 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3985 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3986 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3987 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3988 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3989 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3990 culprit.)
3991
3992 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3993 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3994 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3995
3996 @table @code
3997 @kindex watch
3998 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3999 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
4000 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
4001 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
4002 to watch the value of a single variable:
4003
4004 @smallexample
4005 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4006 @end smallexample
4007
4008 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
4009 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4010 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4011 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4012 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4013 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4014
4015 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4016 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4017 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4018 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4019 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4020 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4021 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4022 error.
4023
4024 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4025 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4026 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4027 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4028 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4029 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4030 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4031 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4032 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4033 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4034 Examples:
4035
4036 @smallexample
4037 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4038 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4039 @end smallexample
4040
4041 @kindex rwatch
4042 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4043 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4044 by the program.
4045
4046 @kindex awatch
4047 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4048 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4049 or written into by the program.
4050
4051 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4052 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4053 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4054 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4055 @end table
4056
4057 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4058 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4059 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4060 a never-changing value:
4061
4062 @smallexample
4063 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4064 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4065 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4066 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4067 @end smallexample
4068
4069 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4070 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4071 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4072 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4073 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4074 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4075
4076 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4077 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4078 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4079 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4080 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4081 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4082 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4083 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4084
4085 @table @code
4086 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4087 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4088 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4089
4090 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4091 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4092 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4093 @end table
4094
4095 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4096 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4097 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4098
4099 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4100
4101 @smallexample
4102 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4103 @end smallexample
4104
4105 @noindent
4106 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4107
4108 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4109 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4110 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4111 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4112 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4113 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4114 will print a message like this:
4115
4116 @smallexample
4117 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4118 @end smallexample
4119
4120 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4121 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4122 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4123 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4124 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4125 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4126 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4127 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4128
4129 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4130 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4131 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4132 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4133 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4134 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4135
4136 @smallexample
4137 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4138 @end smallexample
4139
4140 @noindent
4141 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4142
4143 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4144 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4145 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4146 expression with separately allocated resources.
4147
4148 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4149 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4150 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4151
4152 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4153 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4154 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4155 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4156 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4157 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4158 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4159 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4160 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4161
4162 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4163 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4164 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4165 watched expression from every thread.
4166
4167 @quotation
4168 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4169 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4170 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4171 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4172 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4173 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4174 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4175 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4176 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4177 @end quotation
4178
4179 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4180
4181 @node Set Catchpoints
4182 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4183 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4184 @cindex exception handlers
4185 @cindex event handling
4186
4187 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4188 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4189 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4190
4191 @table @code
4192 @kindex catch
4193 @item catch @var{event}
4194 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4195
4196 @table @code
4197 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4198 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4199 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4200 @kindex catch throw
4201 @kindex catch rethrow
4202 @kindex catch catch
4203 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4204 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4205
4206 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4207 regular expression will be caught.
4208
4209 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4210 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4211 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4212 exception being thrown.
4213
4214 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4215 @value{GDBN}:
4216
4217 @itemize @bullet
4218 @item
4219 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4220 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4221 supported.
4222
4223 @item
4224 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4225 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4226 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4227 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4228 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4229 built.
4230
4231 @item
4232 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4233 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4234
4235 @item
4236 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4237 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4238 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4239 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4240
4241 @item
4242 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4243 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4244 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4245 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4246 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4247 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4248 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4249 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4250 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4251
4252 @item
4253 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4254
4255 @item
4256 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4257 @end itemize
4258
4259 @item exception
4260 @kindex catch exception
4261 @cindex Ada exception catching
4262 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4263 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4264 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4265 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4266 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4267
4268 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4269 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4270 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4271 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4272 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4273 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4274 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4275 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4276
4277 @item exception unhandled
4278 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4279 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4280
4281 @item assert
4282 @kindex catch assert
4283 A failed Ada assertion.
4284
4285 @item exec
4286 @kindex catch exec
4287 @cindex break on fork/exec
4288 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4289 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4290
4291 @item syscall
4292 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4293 @kindex catch syscall
4294 @cindex break on a system call.
4295 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4296 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4297 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4298 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4299 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4300 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4301 will be caught.
4302
4303 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4304 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4305 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4306 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4307
4308 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4309 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4310 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4311 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4312
4313 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4314 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4315 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4316 available choices.
4317
4318 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4319 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4320 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4321 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4322 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4323 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4324 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4325 behind the OS upgrades).
4326
4327 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4328 arguments to it:
4329
4330 @smallexample
4331 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4332 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4333 (@value{GDBP}) r
4334 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4335
4336 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4337 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4338 (@value{GDBP}) c
4339 Continuing.
4340
4341 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4342 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4343 (@value{GDBP})
4344 @end smallexample
4345
4346 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4347
4348 @smallexample
4349 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4350 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4351 (@value{GDBP}) r
4352 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4353
4354 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4355 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4356 (@value{GDBP}) c
4357 Continuing.
4358
4359 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4360 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4361 (@value{GDBP})
4362 @end smallexample
4363
4364 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4365 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4366 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4367
4368 @smallexample
4369 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4370 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4371 (@value{GDBP}) r
4372 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4373
4374 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4375 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4376 (@value{GDBP}) c
4377 Continuing.
4378
4379 Program exited normally.
4380 (@value{GDBP})
4381 @end smallexample
4382
4383 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4384 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4385 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4386 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4387
4388 @smallexample
4389 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4390 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4391 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4392 (@value{GDBP})
4393 @end smallexample
4394
4395 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4396 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4397 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4398 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4399 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4400 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4401
4402 @smallexample
4403 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4404 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4405 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4406 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4407 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4408 (@value{GDBP})
4409 @end smallexample
4410
4411 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4412
4413 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4414 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4415
4416 @smallexample
4417 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4418 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4419 @end smallexample
4420
4421 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4422
4423 @item fork
4424 @kindex catch fork
4425 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4426 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4427
4428 @item vfork
4429 @kindex catch vfork
4430 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4431 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4432
4433 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4434 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4435 @kindex catch load
4436 @kindex catch unload
4437 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4438 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4439 matches one of the affected libraries.
4440
4441 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4442 @kindex catch signal
4443 The delivery of a signal.
4444
4445 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4446 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4447 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4448
4449 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4450 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4451 signal names.
4452
4453 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4454 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4455 will be caught.
4456
4457 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4458 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4459 catchpoint.
4460
4461 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4462 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4463 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4464 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4465 commands.
4466
4467 @end table
4468
4469 @item tcatch @var{event}
4470 @kindex tcatch
4471 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4472 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4473
4474 @end table
4475
4476 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4477
4478
4479 @node Delete Breaks
4480 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4481
4482 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4483 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4484 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4485 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4486 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4487 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4488
4489 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4490 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4491 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4492 their breakpoint numbers.
4493
4494 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4495 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4496 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4497
4498 @table @code
4499 @kindex clear
4500 @item clear
4501 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4502 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4503 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4504 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4505
4506 @item clear @var{location}
4507 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4508 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4509 most useful ones are listed below:
4510
4511 @table @code
4512 @item clear @var{function}
4513 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4514 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4515
4516 @item clear @var{linenum}
4517 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4518 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4519 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4520 @end table
4521
4522 @cindex delete breakpoints
4523 @kindex delete
4524 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4525 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4526 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4527 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4528 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4529 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4530 @end table
4531
4532 @node Disabling
4533 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4534
4535 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4536 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4537 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4538 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4539 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4540
4541 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4542 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4543 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4544 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4545 do not know which numbers to use.
4546
4547 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4548 affects all of its locations.
4549
4550 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4551 different states of enablement:
4552
4553 @itemize @bullet
4554 @item
4555 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4556 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4557 @item
4558 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4559 @item
4560 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4561 disabled.
4562 @item
4563 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4564 N times, then becomes disabled.
4565 @item
4566 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4567 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4568 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4569 @end itemize
4570
4571 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4572 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4573
4574 @table @code
4575 @kindex disable
4576 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4577 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4578 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4579 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4580 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4581 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4582 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4583
4584 @kindex enable
4585 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4586 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4587 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4588
4589 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4590 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4591 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4592
4593 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4594 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4595 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4596 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4597 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4598 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4599 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4600
4601 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4602 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4603 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4604 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4605 @end table
4606
4607 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4608 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4609 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4610 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4611 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4612 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4613 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4614 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4615 Stepping}.)
4616
4617 @node Conditions
4618 @subsection Break Conditions
4619 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4620 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4621
4622 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4623 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4624 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4625 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4626 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4627 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4628 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4629 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4630
4631 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4632 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4633 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4634 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4635 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4636
4637 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4638 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4639 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4640 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4641 one.
4642
4643 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4644 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4645 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4646 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4647 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4648 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4649 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4650 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4651 conditions for the
4652 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4653 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4654
4655 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4656 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4657 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4658 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4659 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4660 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4661
4662 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4663 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4664 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4665 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4666 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4667
4668 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4669 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4670 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4671 with the @code{condition} command.
4672
4673 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4674 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4675 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4676 catchpoint.
4677
4678 @table @code
4679 @kindex condition
4680 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4681 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4682 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4683 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4684 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4685 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4686 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4687 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4688 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4689 prints an error message:
4690
4691 @smallexample
4692 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4693 @end smallexample
4694
4695 @noindent
4696 @value{GDBN} does
4697 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4698 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4699 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4700
4701 @item condition @var{bnum}
4702 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4703 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4704 @end table
4705
4706 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4707 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4708 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4709 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4710 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4711 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4712 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4713 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4714 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4715 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4716 your program reaches it.
4717
4718 @table @code
4719 @kindex ignore
4720 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4721 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4722 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4723 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4724 takes no action.
4725
4726 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4727 a count of zero.
4728
4729 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4730 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4731 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4732 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4733
4734 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4735 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4736 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4737
4738 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4739 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4740 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4741 Variables}.
4742 @end table
4743
4744 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4745
4746
4747 @node Break Commands
4748 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4749
4750 @cindex breakpoint commands
4751 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4752 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4753 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4754 enable other breakpoints.
4755
4756 @table @code
4757 @kindex commands
4758 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4759 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4760 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4761 @itemx end
4762 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4763 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4764 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4765
4766 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4767 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4768
4769 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4770 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4771 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4772 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4773 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4774 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4775 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4776 Expressions}).
4777 @end table
4778
4779 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4780 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4781
4782 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4783 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4784 that resumes execution.
4785
4786 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4787 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4788 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4789 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4790 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4791
4792 @kindex silent
4793 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4794 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4795 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4796 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4797 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4798 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4799
4800 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4801 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4802 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4803
4804 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4805 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4806
4807 @smallexample
4808 break foo if x>0
4809 commands
4810 silent
4811 printf "x is %d\n",x
4812 cont
4813 end
4814 @end smallexample
4815
4816 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4817 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4818 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4819 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4820 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4821 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4822 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4823
4824 @smallexample
4825 break 403
4826 commands
4827 silent
4828 set x = y + 4
4829 cont
4830 end
4831 @end smallexample
4832
4833 @node Dynamic Printf
4834 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4835
4836 @cindex dynamic printf
4837 @cindex dprintf
4838 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4839 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4840 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4841 having to recompile it.
4842
4843 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4844 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4845 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4846 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4847 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4848 redirects to files and so forth.
4849
4850 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4851 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4852 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4853 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4854 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4855 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4856 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4857
4858 @table @code
4859 @kindex dprintf
4860 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4861 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4862 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4863 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4864
4865 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4866 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4867 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4868 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4869 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4870 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4871
4872 @item gdb
4873 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4874 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4875
4876 @item call
4877 @kindex dprintf-style call
4878 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4879 @code{printf}).
4880
4881 @item agent
4882 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4883 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4884 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4885 support running commands on the target.
4886
4887 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4888 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4889 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4890 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4891 command.
4892
4893 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4894 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4895 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4896 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4897 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4898 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4899
4900 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4901 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4902 you could do the following:
4903
4904 @example
4905 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4906 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4907 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4908 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4909 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4910 (gdb) info break
4911 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4912 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4913 continue
4914 (gdb)
4915 @end example
4916
4917 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4918 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4919 the variable settings.
4920
4921 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4922 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4923 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4924 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4925 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4926 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4927
4928 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4929 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4930 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4931
4932 @end table
4933
4934 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4935 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4936 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4937 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4938 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4939 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4940
4941 @node Save Breakpoints
4942 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4943
4944 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4945 breakpoints}} command.
4946
4947 @table @code
4948 @kindex save breakpoints
4949 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4950 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4951 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4952 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4953 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4954 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4955 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4956 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4957 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4958 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4959 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4960 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4961 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4962 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4963 that can no longer be recreated.
4964 @end table
4965
4966 @node Static Probe Points
4967 @subsection Static Probe Points
4968
4969 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4970 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4971 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4972 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4973 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4974 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4975 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4976
4977 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4978 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4979 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4980 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4981 in your applications.
4982
4983 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4984 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4985 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4986 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4987 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4988 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4989 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4990 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4991
4992 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4993 probes}, with optional arguments:
4994
4995 @table @code
4996 @kindex info probes
4997 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4998 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4999 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5000 probes from all providers are listed.
5001
5002 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5003 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5004 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5005
5006 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5007 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5008 given, all object files are considered.
5009
5010 @item info probes all
5011 List the available static probes, from all types.
5012 @end table
5013
5014 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5015 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5016 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5017 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5018 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5019 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
5020 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
5021 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5022 at the current probe point.
5023
5024 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5025 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5026 an error message.
5027
5028
5029 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5030 @node Error in Breakpoints
5031 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5032
5033 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5034 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5035
5036 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5037 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5038 @smallexample
5039 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5040 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5041 @end smallexample
5042
5043 @noindent
5044 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5045 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5046 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5047
5048 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5049 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5050
5051 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5052 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5053 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5054
5055 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5056 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5057 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5058 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5059
5060 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5061 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5062 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5063 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5064 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5065 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5066 first in the bundle.
5067
5068 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5069 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5070 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5071 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5072 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5073 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5074 is hit.
5075
5076 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5077 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5078
5079 @smallexample
5080 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5081 @end smallexample
5082
5083 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5084 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5085 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5086 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5087 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5088 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5089 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5090 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5091
5092 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5093 adjusted breakpoints:
5094
5095 @smallexample
5096 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5097 to 0x00010410.
5098 @end smallexample
5099
5100 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5101 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5102 frequently than expected.
5103
5104 @node Continuing and Stepping
5105 @section Continuing and Stepping
5106
5107 @cindex stepping
5108 @cindex continuing
5109 @cindex resuming execution
5110 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5111 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5112 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5113 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5114 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5115 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5116 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5117 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5118 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5119 handlers}).)
5120
5121 @table @code
5122 @kindex continue
5123 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5124 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5125 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5126 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5127 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5128 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5129 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5130 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5131 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5132 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5133
5134 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5135 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5136 @code{continue} is ignored.
5137
5138 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5139 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5140 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5141 @code{continue}.
5142 @end table
5143
5144 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5145 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5146 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5147 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5148
5149 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5150 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5151 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5152 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5153 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5154 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5155
5156 @table @code
5157 @kindex step
5158 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5159 @item step
5160 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5161 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5162 abbreviated @code{s}.
5163
5164 @quotation
5165 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5166 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5167 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5168 @c distinction here.
5169 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5170 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5171 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5172 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5173 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5174 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5175 below.
5176 @end quotation
5177
5178 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5179 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5180 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5181 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5182 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5183 called within the line.
5184
5185 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5186 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5187 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5188 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5189 was any debugging information about the routine.
5190
5191 @item step @var{count}
5192 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5193 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5194 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5195
5196 @kindex next
5197 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5198 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5199 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5200 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5201 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5202 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5203 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5204 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5205
5206 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5207
5208
5209 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5210 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5211 @c
5212 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5213 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5214 @c function are executed without stopping.
5215
5216 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5217 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5218 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5219
5220 @kindex set step-mode
5221 @item set step-mode
5222 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5223 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5224 @itemx set step-mode on
5225 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5226 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5227 information rather than stepping over it.
5228
5229 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5230 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5231 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5232
5233 @item set step-mode off
5234 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5235 debug information. This is the default.
5236
5237 @item show step-mode
5238 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5239 source line debug information.
5240
5241 @kindex finish
5242 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5243 @item finish
5244 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5245 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5246 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5247
5248 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5249 ,Returning from a Function}).
5250
5251 @kindex until
5252 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5253 @cindex run until specified location
5254 @item until
5255 @itemx u
5256 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5257 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5258 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5259 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5260 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5261 than the address of the jump.
5262
5263 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5264 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5265 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5266 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5267 through the next iteration.
5268
5269 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5270 stack frame.
5271
5272 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5273 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5274 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5275 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5276 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5277
5278 @smallexample
5279 (@value{GDBP}) f
5280 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5281 206 expand_input();
5282 (@value{GDBP}) until
5283 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5284 @end smallexample
5285
5286 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5287 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5288 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5289 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5290 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5291 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5292 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5293
5294 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5295 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5296 argument.
5297
5298 @item until @var{location}
5299 @itemx u @var{location}
5300 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5301 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5302 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5303 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5304 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5305 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5306 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5307 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5308 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5309 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5310 invocations have returned.
5311
5312 @smallexample
5313 94 int factorial (int value)
5314 95 @{
5315 96 if (value > 1) @{
5316 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5317 98 @}
5318 99 return (value);
5319 100 @}
5320 @end smallexample
5321
5322
5323 @kindex advance @var{location}
5324 @item advance @var{location}
5325 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5326 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5327 @ref{Specify Location}.
5328 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5329 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5330 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5331 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5332
5333
5334 @kindex stepi
5335 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5336 @item stepi
5337 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5338 @itemx si
5339 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5340
5341 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5342 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5343 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5344 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5345
5346 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5347
5348 @need 750
5349 @kindex nexti
5350 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5351 @item nexti
5352 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5353 @itemx ni
5354 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5355 proceed until the function returns.
5356
5357 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5358
5359 @end table
5360
5361 @anchor{range stepping}
5362 @cindex range stepping
5363 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5364 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5365 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5366 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5367 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5368 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5369 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5370 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5371 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5372 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5373 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5374 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5375 if necessary:
5376
5377 @table @code
5378 @kindex set range-stepping
5379 @kindex show range-stepping
5380 @item set range-stepping
5381 @itemx show range-stepping
5382 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5383
5384 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5385 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5386 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5387 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5388 default is @code{on}.
5389
5390 @end table
5391
5392 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5393 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5394 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5395
5396 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5397 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5398 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5399
5400 For example, consider the following C function:
5401
5402 @smallexample
5403 101 int func()
5404 102 @{
5405 103 foo(boring());
5406 104 bar(boring());
5407 105 @}
5408 @end smallexample
5409
5410 @noindent
5411 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5412 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5413 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5414 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5415
5416 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5417 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5418 is called from many places.
5419
5420 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5421 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5422 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5423 @code{foo}.
5424
5425 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5426 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5427
5428 @table @code
5429 @kindex skip function
5430 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5431 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5432 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5433 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5434 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5435
5436 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5437 will be skipped.
5438
5439 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5440 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5441
5442 @kindex skip file
5443 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5444 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5445 will be skipped over when stepping.
5446
5447 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5448 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5449 @end table
5450
5451 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5452 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5453
5454 @table @code
5455 @kindex info skip
5456 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5457 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5458 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5459 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5460
5461 @table @emph
5462 @item Identifier
5463 A number identifying this skip.
5464 @item Type
5465 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5466 @item Enabled or Disabled
5467 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5468 @item Address
5469 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5470 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5471 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5472 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5473 address here.
5474 @item What
5475 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5476 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5477 where it is defined.
5478 @end table
5479
5480 @kindex skip delete
5481 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5482 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5483 skips.
5484
5485 @kindex skip enable
5486 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5487 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5488 skips.
5489
5490 @kindex skip disable
5491 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5492 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5493 skips.
5494
5495 @end table
5496
5497 @node Signals
5498 @section Signals
5499 @cindex signals
5500
5501 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5502 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5503 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5504 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5505 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5506 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5507 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5508 requested an alarm).
5509
5510 @cindex fatal signals
5511 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5512 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5513 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5514 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5515 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5516 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5517
5518 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5519 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5520 signal.
5521
5522 @cindex handling signals
5523 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5524 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5525 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5526 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5527 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5528
5529 @table @code
5530 @kindex info signals
5531 @kindex info handle
5532 @item info signals
5533 @itemx info handle
5534 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5535 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5536 the defined types of signals.
5537
5538 @item info signals @var{sig}
5539 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5540
5541 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5542
5543 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5544 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5545 for details about this command.
5546
5547 @kindex handle
5548 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5549 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5550 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5551 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5552 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5553 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5554 say what change to make.
5555 @end table
5556
5557 @c @group
5558 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5559 Their full names are:
5560
5561 @table @code
5562 @item nostop
5563 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5564 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5565
5566 @item stop
5567 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5568 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5569
5570 @item print
5571 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5572
5573 @item noprint
5574 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5575 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5576
5577 @item pass
5578 @itemx noignore
5579 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5580 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5581 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5582
5583 @item nopass
5584 @itemx ignore
5585 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5586 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5587 @end table
5588 @c @end group
5589
5590 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5591 program until you
5592 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5593 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5594 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5595 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5596 program sees that signal when you continue.
5597
5598 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5599 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5600 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5601 erroneous signals.
5602
5603 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5604 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5605 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5606 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5607 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5608 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5609 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5610 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5611 Program a Signal}.
5612
5613 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
5614 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
5615
5616 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
5617 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
5618 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
5619 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
5620 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
5621 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
5622 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
5623 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
5624 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
5625 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
5626 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
5627 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
5628 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
5629
5630 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
5631
5632 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
5633 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
5634 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
5635 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
5636
5637 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
5638 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
5639 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
5640 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
5641
5642 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
5643 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
5644
5645 @smallexample
5646 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
5647 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
5648 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
5649 (@value{GDBP}) c
5650 Continuing.
5651
5652 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
5653 main () sigusr1.c:28
5654 28 p = 0;
5655 (@value{GDBP}) si
5656 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5657 9 @{
5658 @end smallexample
5659
5660 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
5661 program to receive the signal first:
5662
5663 @smallexample
5664 (@value{GDBP}) n
5665 28 p = 0;
5666 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
5667 (@value{GDBP}) si
5668 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5669 9 @{
5670 (@value{GDBP})
5671 @end smallexample
5672
5673 @cindex extra signal information
5674 @anchor{extra signal information}
5675
5676 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5677 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5678 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5679 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5680 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5681 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5682 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5683 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5684 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5685 system header.
5686
5687 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5688 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5689
5690 @smallexample
5691 @group
5692 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5693 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5694 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5695 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5696 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5697 type = struct @{
5698 int si_signo;
5699 int si_errno;
5700 int si_code;
5701 union @{
5702 int _pad[28];
5703 struct @{...@} _kill;
5704 struct @{...@} _timer;
5705 struct @{...@} _rt;
5706 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5707 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5708 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5709 @} _sifields;
5710 @}
5711 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5712 type = struct @{
5713 void *si_addr;
5714 @}
5715 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5716 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5717 @end group
5718 @end smallexample
5719
5720 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5721
5722 @node Thread Stops
5723 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5724
5725 @cindex stopped threads
5726 @cindex threads, stopped
5727
5728 @cindex continuing threads
5729 @cindex threads, continuing
5730
5731 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5732 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5733 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5734 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5735 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5736 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5737 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5738 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5739 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5740
5741 @menu
5742 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5743 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5744 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5745 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5746 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5747 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5748 @end menu
5749
5750 @node All-Stop Mode
5751 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5752
5753 @cindex all-stop mode
5754
5755 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5756 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5757 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5758 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5759 underfoot.
5760
5761 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5762 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5763 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5764
5765 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5766 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5767 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5768 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5769 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5770 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5771 stops.
5772
5773 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5774 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5775 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5776 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5777
5778 @cindex automatic thread selection
5779 @cindex switching threads automatically
5780 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5781 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5782 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5783 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5784 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5785 thread.
5786
5787 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5788 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5789
5790 @table @code
5791 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5792 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5793 @cindex lock scheduler
5794 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5795 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5796 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5797 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5798 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5799 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5800 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5801 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5802 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5803 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5804 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5805 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5806
5807 @item show scheduler-locking
5808 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5809 @end table
5810
5811 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5812 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5813 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5814 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5815 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5816 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5817 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5818 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5819 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5820 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5821 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5822 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5823 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5824 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5825
5826 @table @code
5827 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5828 @item set schedule-multiple
5829 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5830 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5831 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5832 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5833 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5834 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5835
5836 @item show schedule-multiple
5837 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5838 multiple processes.
5839 @end table
5840
5841 @node Non-Stop Mode
5842 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5843
5844 @cindex non-stop mode
5845
5846 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5847 @c with more details.
5848
5849 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5850 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5851 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5852 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5853 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5854 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5855
5856 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5857 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5858 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5859 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5860 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5861 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5862 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5863 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5864 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5865 independently and simultaneously.
5866
5867 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5868 or attach to your program:
5869
5870 @smallexample
5871 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5872 set pagination off
5873
5874 # Finally, turn it on!
5875 set non-stop on
5876 @end smallexample
5877
5878 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5879
5880 @table @code
5881 @kindex set non-stop
5882 @item set non-stop on
5883 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5884 @item set non-stop off
5885 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5886 @kindex show non-stop
5887 @item show non-stop
5888 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5889 @end table
5890
5891 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5892 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5893 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5894 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5895 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5896 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5897 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5898 default.
5899
5900 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5901 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5902 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5903
5904 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5905 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5906 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5907 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5908 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5909
5910 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5911 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5912 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5913 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5914 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5915
5916 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5917
5918 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5919 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5920 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5921 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5922 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5923 previously current thread.
5924
5925 @node Background Execution
5926 @subsection Background Execution
5927
5928 @cindex foreground execution
5929 @cindex background execution
5930 @cindex asynchronous execution
5931 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5932
5933 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5934 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5935 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5936 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5937 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5938 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5939
5940 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5941 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5942
5943 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5944 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5945 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5946 are:
5947
5948 @table @code
5949 @kindex run&
5950 @item run
5951 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5952
5953 @item attach
5954 @kindex attach&
5955 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5956
5957 @item step
5958 @kindex step&
5959 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5960
5961 @item stepi
5962 @kindex stepi&
5963 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5964
5965 @item next
5966 @kindex next&
5967 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5968
5969 @item nexti
5970 @kindex nexti&
5971 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5972
5973 @item continue
5974 @kindex continue&
5975 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5976
5977 @item finish
5978 @kindex finish&
5979 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5980
5981 @item until
5982 @kindex until&
5983 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5984
5985 @end table
5986
5987 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5988 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5989 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5990 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5991 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5992 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5993
5994 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5995 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5996
5997 @table @code
5998 @kindex interrupt
5999 @item interrupt
6000 @itemx interrupt -a
6001
6002 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6003 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6004 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6005 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6006 @end table
6007
6008 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6009 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6010
6011 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6012 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6013 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6014
6015 @table @code
6016 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6017 @cindex thread breakpoints
6018 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
6019 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
6020 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
6021 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6022 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6023 specify some source line.
6024
6025 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
6026 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6027 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{threadno} specifier
6028 is one of the numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6029 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6030
6031 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
6032 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6033 program.
6034
6035 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6036 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
6037 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6038
6039 @smallexample
6040 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6041 @end smallexample
6042
6043 @end table
6044
6045 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6046 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6047 thread list. For example:
6048
6049 @smallexample
6050 (@value{GDBP}) c
6051 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6052 @end smallexample
6053
6054 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6055 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6056 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6057 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6058 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6059 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6060 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6061 command.
6062
6063 @node Interrupted System Calls
6064 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6065
6066 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6067 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6068 @cindex premature return from system calls
6069 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6070 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6071 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6072 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6073 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6074 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6075 stop execution.
6076
6077 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6078 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6079 style anyways.
6080
6081 For example, do not write code like this:
6082
6083 @smallexample
6084 sleep (10);
6085 @end smallexample
6086
6087 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6088 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6089
6090 Instead, write this:
6091
6092 @smallexample
6093 int unslept = 10;
6094 while (unslept > 0)
6095 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6096 @end smallexample
6097
6098 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6099 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6100 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6101 @value{GDBN}.
6102
6103 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6104 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6105 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6106 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6107
6108 @node Observer Mode
6109 @subsection Observer Mode
6110
6111 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6112 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6113 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6114 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6115 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6116
6117 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6118 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6119 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6120 mode.
6121
6122 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6123 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6124 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6125 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6126 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6127
6128 @table @code
6129
6130 @kindex observer
6131 @item set observer on
6132 @itemx set observer off
6133 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6134 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6135 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6136 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6137
6138 @item show observer
6139 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6140
6141 @kindex may-write-registers
6142 @item set may-write-registers on
6143 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6144 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6145 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6146 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6147
6148 @item show may-write-registers
6149 Show the current permission to write registers.
6150
6151 @kindex may-write-memory
6152 @item set may-write-memory on
6153 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6154 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6155 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6156 defaults to @code{on}.
6157
6158 @item show may-write-memory
6159 Show the current permission to write memory.
6160
6161 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6162 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6163 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6164 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6165 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6166 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6167
6168 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6169 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6170
6171 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6172 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6173 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6174 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6175 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6176 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6177 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6178
6179 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6180 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6181
6182 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6183 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6184 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6185 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6186 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6187 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6188 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6189
6190 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6191 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6192
6193 @kindex may-interrupt
6194 @item set may-interrupt on
6195 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6196 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6197 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6198 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6199 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6200
6201 @item show may-interrupt
6202 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6203
6204 @end table
6205
6206 @node Reverse Execution
6207 @chapter Running programs backward
6208 @cindex reverse execution
6209 @cindex running programs backward
6210
6211 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6212 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6213 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6214 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6215
6216 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6217 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6218 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6219 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6220 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6221 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6222
6223 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6224 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6225 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6226 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6227 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6228 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6229 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6230 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6231 prior values@footnote{
6232 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6233 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6234 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6235
6236 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6237 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6238 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6239 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6240 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6241 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6242 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6243 }.
6244
6245 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6246 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6247
6248 @table @code
6249 @kindex reverse-continue
6250 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6251 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6252 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6253 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6254 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6255 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6256 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6257
6258 @kindex reverse-step
6259 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6260 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6261 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6262 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6263
6264 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6265 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6266 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6267 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6268 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6269 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6270
6271 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6272 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6273
6274 @kindex reverse-stepi
6275 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6276 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6277 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6278 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6279 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6280 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6281 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6282
6283 @kindex reverse-next
6284 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6285 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6286 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6287 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6288 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6289 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6290 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6291 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6292 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6293 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6294
6295 @kindex reverse-nexti
6296 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6297 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6298 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6299 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6300 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6301 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6302 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6303 frame) is reached.
6304
6305 @kindex reverse-finish
6306 @item reverse-finish
6307 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6308 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6309 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6310 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6311
6312 @kindex set exec-direction
6313 @item set exec-direction
6314 Set the direction of target execution.
6315 @item set exec-direction reverse
6316 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6317 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6318 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6319 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6320 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6321 @item set exec-direction forward
6322 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6323 This is the default.
6324 @end table
6325
6326
6327 @node Process Record and Replay
6328 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6329 @cindex process record and replay
6330 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6331
6332 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6333 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6334 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6335
6336 @cindex replay mode
6337 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6338 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6339 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6340 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6341 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6342 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6343 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6344 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6345 execution log.
6346
6347 @cindex record mode
6348 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6349 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6350 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6351 for future replay.
6352
6353 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6354 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6355 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6356 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6357 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6358 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6359
6360 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6361 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6362 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6363 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6364
6365 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6366 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6367
6368 @table @code
6369 @kindex target record
6370 @kindex target record-full
6371 @kindex target record-btrace
6372 @kindex record
6373 @kindex record full
6374 @kindex record btrace
6375 @kindex rec
6376 @kindex rec full
6377 @kindex rec btrace
6378 @item record @var{method}
6379 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6380 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6381 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6382 recording methods are available:
6383
6384 @table @code
6385 @item full
6386 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6387 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6388 execution.
6389
6390 @item btrace
6391 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6392 data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6393 be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited replay and
6394 reverse execution.
6395
6396 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6397 @end table
6398
6399 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6400 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6401 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6402 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6403
6404 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6405 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6406
6407 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6408 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6409 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6410 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6411 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6412
6413 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6414 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6415 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6416 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6417 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6418 does not support these two modes.
6419
6420 @kindex record stop
6421 @kindex rec s
6422 @item record stop
6423 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6424 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6425 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6426
6427 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6428 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6429 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6430 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6431 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6432
6433 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6434 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6435 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6436 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6437 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6438
6439 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6440 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6441
6442 @kindex record goto
6443 @item record goto
6444 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6445 ways to specify the location to go to:
6446
6447 @table @code
6448 @item record goto begin
6449 @itemx record goto start
6450 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6451
6452 @item record goto end
6453 Go to the end of the execution log.
6454
6455 @item record goto @var{n}
6456 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6457 @end table
6458
6459 @kindex record save
6460 @item record save @var{filename}
6461 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6462 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6463 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6464
6465 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6466
6467 @kindex record restore
6468 @item record restore @var{filename}
6469 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6470 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6471
6472 @kindex set record full
6473 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6474 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6475 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6476 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6477
6478 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6479 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6480 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6481 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6482 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6483 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6484 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6485 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6486
6487 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6488 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6489 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6490
6491 @kindex show record full
6492 @item show record full insn-number-max
6493 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6494 recording method.
6495
6496 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6497 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6498 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6499 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6500 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6501 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6502 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6503 oldest one to be deleted.
6504
6505 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6506 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6507
6508 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6509 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6510
6511 @item set record full memory-query
6512 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6513 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6514 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6515 case.
6516
6517 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6518 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6519 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6520 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6521 results.
6522
6523 @item show record full memory-query
6524 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6525
6526 @kindex set record btrace
6527 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
6528 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
6529 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
6530 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
6531 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
6532 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
6533 You can use the following command for that:
6534
6535 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
6536 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
6537 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
6538 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
6539 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
6540 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
6541 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
6542 position.
6543
6544 @kindex show record btrace
6545 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
6546 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
6547
6548 @kindex info record
6549 @item info record
6550 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6551 method:
6552
6553 @table @code
6554 @item full
6555 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6556 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6557
6558 @itemize @bullet
6559 @item
6560 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6561 @item
6562 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6563 @item
6564 Highest recorded instruction number.
6565 @item
6566 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6567 @item
6568 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6569 @item
6570 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6571 @end itemize
6572
6573 @item btrace
6574 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6575 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6576 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6577 @end table
6578
6579 @kindex record delete
6580 @kindex rec del
6581 @item record delete
6582 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6583 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6584 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6585 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6586
6587 @kindex record instruction-history
6588 @kindex rec instruction-history
6589 @item record instruction-history
6590 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6591 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6592 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6593 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6594 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6595
6596 @table @code
6597 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6598 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6599 @var{insn}.
6600
6601 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6602 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6603 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6604 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6605 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6606 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6607
6608 @item record instruction-history
6609 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6610
6611 @item record instruction-history -
6612 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6613
6614 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6615 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6616 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6617 number @var{end} is included.
6618 @end table
6619
6620 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6621
6622 @kindex set record
6623 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6624 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6625 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6626 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6627 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6628
6629 @kindex show record
6630 @item show record instruction-history-size
6631 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6632 instruction-history} command.
6633
6634 @kindex record function-call-history
6635 @kindex rec function-call-history
6636 @item record function-call-history
6637 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6638 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6639 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6640 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6641 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6642 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
6643 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
6644 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
6645 given together.
6646
6647 @smallexample
6648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6649 1 void foo (void)
6650 2 @{
6651 3 @}
6652 4
6653 5 void bar (void)
6654 6 @{
6655 7 ...
6656 8 foo ();
6657 9 ...
6658 10 @}
6659 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
6660 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
6661 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
6662 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
6663 @end smallexample
6664
6665 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6666 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6667 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6668 to print:
6669
6670 @table @code
6671 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6672 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6673
6674 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6675 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6676 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6677 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6678 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6679
6680 @item record function-call-history
6681 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6682
6683 @item record function-call-history -
6684 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6685
6686 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6687 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6688 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
6689 @end table
6690
6691 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6692
6693 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6694 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6695 Define how many lines to print in the
6696 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6697 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6698
6699 @item show record function-call-history-size
6700 Show how many lines to print in the
6701 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6702 @end table
6703
6704
6705 @node Stack
6706 @chapter Examining the Stack
6707
6708 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6709 stopped and how it got there.
6710
6711 @cindex call stack
6712 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6713 is generated.
6714 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6715 the arguments of the call,
6716 and the local variables of the function being called.
6717 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6718 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6719 stack}.
6720
6721 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6722 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6723
6724 @cindex selected frame
6725 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6726 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6727 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6728 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6729 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6730 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6731
6732 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6733 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6734 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6735
6736 @menu
6737 * Frames:: Stack frames
6738 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6739 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6740 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6741 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6742
6743 @end menu
6744
6745 @node Frames
6746 @section Stack Frames
6747
6748 @cindex frame, definition
6749 @cindex stack frame
6750 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6751 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6752 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6753 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6754 which the function is executing.
6755
6756 @cindex initial frame
6757 @cindex outermost frame
6758 @cindex innermost frame
6759 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6760 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6761 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6762 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6763 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6764 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6765 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6766 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6767
6768 @cindex frame pointer
6769 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6770 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6771 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6772 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6773 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6774 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6775
6776 @cindex frame number
6777 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6778 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6779 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6780 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6781 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6782
6783 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6784 @c underflow problems.
6785 @cindex frameless execution
6786 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6787 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6788 @smallexample
6789 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6790 @end smallexample
6791 generates functions without a frame.)
6792 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6793 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6794 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6795 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6796 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6797 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6798 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6799
6800 @table @code
6801 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6802 @cindex current stack frame
6803 @item frame @r{[}@var{framespec}@r{]}
6804 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6805 and to print the stack frame you select. The @var{framespec} may be either the
6806 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6807 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6808
6809 @kindex select-frame
6810 @cindex selecting frame silently
6811 @item select-frame
6812 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6813 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6814 @code{frame}.
6815 @end table
6816
6817 @node Backtrace
6818 @section Backtraces
6819
6820 @cindex traceback
6821 @cindex call stack traces
6822 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6823 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6824 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6825 stack.
6826
6827 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6828 @table @code
6829 @kindex backtrace
6830 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6831 @item backtrace
6832 @itemx bt
6833 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6834 frames in the stack.
6835
6836 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6837 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6838
6839 @item backtrace @var{n}
6840 @itemx bt @var{n}
6841 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6842
6843 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6844 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6845 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6846
6847 @item backtrace full
6848 @itemx bt full
6849 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6850 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6851 Print the values of the local variables also. As described above,
6852 @var{n} specifies the number of frames to print.
6853
6854 @item backtrace no-filters
6855 @itemx bt no-filters
6856 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6857 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6858 @itemx bt no-filters full
6859 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6860 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6861 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6862 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6863 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6864 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6865 support.
6866 @end table
6867
6868 @kindex where
6869 @kindex info stack
6870 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6871 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6872
6873 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6874 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6875 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6876 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6877 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6878 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6879 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6880 multi-threaded program.
6881
6882 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6883 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6884 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6885 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6886 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6887 line number.
6888
6889 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6890 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6891
6892 @smallexample
6893 @group
6894 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6895 at builtin.c:993
6896 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6897 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6898 at macro.c:71
6899 (More stack frames follow...)
6900 @end group
6901 @end smallexample
6902
6903 @noindent
6904 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6905 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6906 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6907
6908 @noindent
6909 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6910 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6911 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6912 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6913 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6914
6915 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6916 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6917 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6918 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6919 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6920 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6921 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6922 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6923 such a backtrace might look like:
6924
6925 @smallexample
6926 @group
6927 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6928 at builtin.c:993
6929 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6930 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6931 at macro.c:71
6932 (More stack frames follow...)
6933 @end group
6934 @end smallexample
6935
6936 @noindent
6937 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6938 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6939
6940 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6941 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6942 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6943
6944 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6945 @cindex program entry point
6946 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6947 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6948 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6949 @code{main}@footnote{
6950 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6951 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6952 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6953 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6954 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6955 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6956
6957 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6958 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6959
6960 @table @code
6961 @item set backtrace past-main
6962 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6963 @kindex set backtrace
6964 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6965
6966 @item set backtrace past-main off
6967 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6968 default.
6969
6970 @item show backtrace past-main
6971 @kindex show backtrace
6972 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6973
6974 @item set backtrace past-entry
6975 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6976 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6977 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6978 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6979
6980 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6981 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6982 application. This is the default.
6983
6984 @item show backtrace past-entry
6985 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6986
6987 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6988 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6989 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6990 @cindex backtrace limit
6991 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6992 or zero means unlimited levels.
6993
6994 @item show backtrace limit
6995 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6996 @end table
6997
6998 You can control how file names are displayed.
6999
7000 @table @code
7001 @item set filename-display
7002 @itemx set filename-display relative
7003 @cindex filename-display
7004 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7005
7006 @item set filename-display basename
7007 Display only basename of a filename.
7008
7009 @item set filename-display absolute
7010 Display an absolute filename.
7011
7012 @item show filename-display
7013 Show the current way to display filenames.
7014 @end table
7015
7016 @node Frame Filter Management
7017 @section Management of Frame Filters.
7018 @cindex managing frame filters
7019
7020 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
7021 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
7022
7023 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
7024 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
7025
7026 @table @code
7027 @kindex info frame-filter
7028 @item info frame-filter
7029 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
7030 their name, priority and enabled status.
7031
7032 @kindex disable frame-filter
7033 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
7034 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7035 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7036 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7037 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7038 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7039 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
7040 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
7041 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7042 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
7043 may be enabled again later.
7044
7045 @kindex enable frame-filter
7046 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7047 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7048 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7049 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7050 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7051 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
7052 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
7053 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7054 @var{filter-dictionary}.
7055
7056 Example:
7057
7058 @smallexample
7059 (gdb) info frame-filter
7060
7061 global frame-filters:
7062 Priority Enabled Name
7063 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7064 100 Yes Reverse
7065
7066 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7067 Priority Enabled Name
7068 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7069
7070 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7071 Priority Enabled Name
7072 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
7073
7074 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
7075 (gdb) info frame-filter
7076
7077 global frame-filters:
7078 Priority Enabled Name
7079 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7080 100 Yes Reverse
7081
7082 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7083 Priority Enabled Name
7084 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7085
7086 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7087 Priority Enabled Name
7088 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7089
7090 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7091 (gdb) info frame-filter
7092
7093 global frame-filters:
7094 Priority Enabled Name
7095 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7096 100 Yes Reverse
7097
7098 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7099 Priority Enabled Name
7100 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7101
7102 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7103 Priority Enabled Name
7104 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7105 @end smallexample
7106
7107 @kindex set frame-filter priority
7108 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
7109 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7110 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7111 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7112 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7113 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
7114
7115 @kindex show frame-filter priority
7116 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7117 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7118 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7119 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7120 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7121 dictionary resides.
7122
7123 Example:
7124
7125 @smallexample
7126 (gdb) info frame-filter
7127
7128 global frame-filters:
7129 Priority Enabled Name
7130 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7131 100 Yes Reverse
7132
7133 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7134 Priority Enabled Name
7135 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7136
7137 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7138 Priority Enabled Name
7139 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7140
7141 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
7142 (gdb) info frame-filter
7143
7144 global frame-filters:
7145 Priority Enabled Name
7146 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7147 50 Yes Reverse
7148
7149 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7150 Priority Enabled Name
7151 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7152
7153 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7154 Priority Enabled Name
7155 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7156 @end smallexample
7157 @end table
7158
7159 @node Selection
7160 @section Selecting a Frame
7161
7162 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7163 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7164 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7165 of the stack frame just selected.
7166
7167 @table @code
7168 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7169 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7170 @item frame @var{n}
7171 @itemx f @var{n}
7172 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7173 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7174 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7175 @code{main}.
7176
7177 @item frame @var{addr}
7178 @itemx f @var{addr}
7179 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7180 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7181 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7182 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7183 switches between them.
7184
7185 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
7186 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
7187
7188 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
7189 pointer and a program counter.
7190
7191 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
7192 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
7193
7194 @kindex up
7195 @item up @var{n}
7196 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7197 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7198 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7199
7200 @kindex down
7201 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7202 @item down @var{n}
7203 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7204 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7205 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7206 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7207 @end table
7208
7209 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7210 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7211 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7212 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7213
7214 @need 1000
7215 For example:
7216
7217 @smallexample
7218 @group
7219 (@value{GDBP}) up
7220 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7221 at env.c:10
7222 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7223 @end group
7224 @end smallexample
7225
7226 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7227 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7228 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7229 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7230 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7231 for details.
7232
7233 @table @code
7234 @kindex down-silently
7235 @kindex up-silently
7236 @item up-silently @var{n}
7237 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7238 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7239 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7240 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7241 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7242 distracting.
7243 @end table
7244
7245 @node Frame Info
7246 @section Information About a Frame
7247
7248 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7249 stack frame.
7250
7251 @table @code
7252 @item frame
7253 @itemx f
7254 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7255 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7256 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7257 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7258 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7259
7260 @kindex info frame
7261 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7262 @item info frame
7263 @itemx info f
7264 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7265 including:
7266
7267 @itemize @bullet
7268 @item
7269 the address of the frame
7270 @item
7271 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7272 @item
7273 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7274 @item
7275 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7276 @item
7277 the address of the frame's arguments
7278 @item
7279 the address of the frame's local variables
7280 @item
7281 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7282 @item
7283 which registers were saved in the frame
7284 @end itemize
7285
7286 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7287 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7288 the usual conventions.
7289
7290 @item info frame @var{addr}
7291 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7292 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7293 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7294 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7295 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7296 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7297
7298 @kindex info args
7299 @item info args
7300 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7301
7302 @item info locals
7303 @kindex info locals
7304 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7305 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7306 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7307
7308 @end table
7309
7310
7311 @node Source
7312 @chapter Examining Source Files
7313
7314 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7315 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7316 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7317 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7318 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7319 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7320 source files by explicit command.
7321
7322 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7323 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7324 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7325
7326 @menu
7327 * List:: Printing source lines
7328 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7329 * Edit:: Editing source files
7330 * Search:: Searching source files
7331 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7332 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7333 @end menu
7334
7335 @node List
7336 @section Printing Source Lines
7337
7338 @kindex list
7339 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7340 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7341 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7342 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7343 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7344
7345 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7346
7347 @table @code
7348 @item list @var{linenum}
7349 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7350 current source file.
7351
7352 @item list @var{function}
7353 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7354 @var{function}.
7355
7356 @item list
7357 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7358 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7359 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7360 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7361 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7362
7363 @item list -
7364 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7365 @end table
7366
7367 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7368 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7369 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7370
7371 @table @code
7372 @kindex set listsize
7373 @item set listsize @var{count}
7374 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7375 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7376 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7377 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7378
7379 @kindex show listsize
7380 @item show listsize
7381 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7382 @end table
7383
7384 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7385 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7386 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7387 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7388 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7389
7390 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7391 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7392 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7393 to specify some source line.
7394
7395 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7396
7397 @table @code
7398 @item list @var{linespec}
7399 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7400
7401 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7402 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7403 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7404 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7405 the same source file as the first linespec.
7406
7407 @item list ,@var{last}
7408 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7409
7410 @item list @var{first},
7411 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7412
7413 @item list +
7414 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7415
7416 @item list -
7417 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7418
7419 @item list
7420 As described in the preceding table.
7421 @end table
7422
7423 @node Specify Location
7424 @section Specifying a Location
7425 @cindex specifying location
7426 @cindex linespec
7427
7428 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7429 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7430 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7431 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7432
7433 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7434 @value{GDBN} understands:
7435
7436 @table @code
7437 @item @var{linenum}
7438 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7439
7440 @item -@var{offset}
7441 @itemx +@var{offset}
7442 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7443 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7444 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7445 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7446 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7447 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7448 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7449 linespec.
7450
7451 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7452 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7453 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7454 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7455 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7456 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7457 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7458
7459 @item @var{function}
7460 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7461 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7462
7463 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7464 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7465
7466 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7467 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7468 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7469 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7470 functions in different source files.
7471
7472 @item @var{label}
7473 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7474 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7475 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7476 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7477 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7478
7479 @item *@var{address}
7480 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7481 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7482 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7483 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7484 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7485 source files.
7486
7487 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7488 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7489 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7490 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7491 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7492 of @var{address}:
7493
7494 @table @code
7495 @item @var{expression}
7496 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7497
7498 @item @var{funcaddr}
7499 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7500 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7501 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7502 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7503 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7504 (although the Pascal form also works).
7505
7506 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7507 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7508
7509 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7510 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7511 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7512 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7513 functions with identical names in different source files.
7514 @end table
7515
7516 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7517 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7518 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7519 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7520 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7521 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7522
7523 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7524 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7525 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7526 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7527 each one of those probes.
7528
7529 @end table
7530
7531
7532 @node Edit
7533 @section Editing Source Files
7534 @cindex editing source files
7535
7536 @kindex edit
7537 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7538 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7539 The editing program of your choice
7540 is invoked with the current line set to
7541 the active line in the program.
7542 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7543 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7544
7545 @table @code
7546 @item edit @var{location}
7547 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7548 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7549 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7550 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7551 command most commonly used:
7552
7553 @table @code
7554 @item edit @var{number}
7555 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7556
7557 @item edit @var{function}
7558 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7559 @end table
7560
7561 @end table
7562
7563 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7564 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7565 @footnote{
7566 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7567 following command-line syntax:
7568 @smallexample
7569 ex +@var{number} file
7570 @end smallexample
7571 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7572 the file where to start editing.}.
7573 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7574 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7575 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7576 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7577 @smallexample
7578 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7579 export EDITOR
7580 gdb @dots{}
7581 @end smallexample
7582 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7583 @smallexample
7584 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7585 gdb @dots{}
7586 @end smallexample
7587
7588 @node Search
7589 @section Searching Source Files
7590 @cindex searching source files
7591
7592 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7593 regular expression.
7594
7595 @table @code
7596 @kindex search
7597 @kindex forward-search
7598 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7599 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7600 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7601 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7602 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7603 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7604 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7605 @code{fo}.
7606
7607 @kindex reverse-search
7608 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7609 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7610 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7611 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7612 this command as @code{rev}.
7613 @end table
7614
7615 @node Source Path
7616 @section Specifying Source Directories
7617
7618 @cindex source path
7619 @cindex directories for source files
7620 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7621 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7622 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7623 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7624 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7625 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7626 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7627
7628 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7629 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7630 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7631 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7632 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7633 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7634 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7635 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7636 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7637 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7638 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7639
7640 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7641 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7642 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7643 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7644 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7645 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7646
7647 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7648 source files.
7649
7650 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7651 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7652 each line is in the file.
7653
7654 @kindex directory
7655 @kindex dir
7656 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7657 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7658 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7659
7660 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7661 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7662
7663 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7664 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7665 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7666 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7667 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7668 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7669 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7670 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7671 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7672 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7673 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7674 name to look up the sources.
7675
7676 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7677 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7678 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7679 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7680 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7681 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7682 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7683 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7684
7685 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7686 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7687 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7688 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7689 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7690 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7691 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7692
7693 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7694 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7695 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7696 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7697 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7698 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7699 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7700 command.
7701
7702 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7703 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7704 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7705 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7706 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7707 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7708 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7709
7710 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7711 @cindex default source path substitution
7712 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7713 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7714 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7715 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7716 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7717 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7718 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7719 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7720 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7721 together.
7722
7723 @table @code
7724 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7725 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7726 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7727 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7728 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7729 part of absolute file names) or
7730 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7731 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7732
7733 @kindex cdir
7734 @kindex cwd
7735 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7736 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7737 @cindex compilation directory
7738 @cindex current directory
7739 @cindex working directory
7740 @cindex directory, current
7741 @cindex directory, compilation
7742 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7743 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7744 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7745 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7746 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7747 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7748
7749 @item directory
7750 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7751
7752 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7753 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7754
7755 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7756 @kindex set directories
7757 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7758 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7759
7760 @item show directories
7761 @kindex show directories
7762 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7763
7764 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7765 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7766 @kindex set substitute-path
7767 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7768 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7769 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7770
7771 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7772 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7773
7774 @smallexample
7775 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7776 @end smallexample
7777
7778 @noindent
7779 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7780 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7781 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7782
7783 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7784 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7785 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7786 the substitution.
7787
7788 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7789
7790 @smallexample
7791 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7792 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7793 @end smallexample
7794
7795 @noindent
7796 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7797 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7798 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7799 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7800
7801
7802 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7803 @kindex unset substitute-path
7804 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7805 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7806 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7807
7808 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7809
7810 @item show substitute-path [path]
7811 @kindex show substitute-path
7812 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7813 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7814
7815 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7816 rules.
7817
7818 @end table
7819
7820 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7821 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7822 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7823
7824 @enumerate
7825 @item
7826 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7827
7828 @item
7829 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7830 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7831 directories in one command.
7832 @end enumerate
7833
7834 @node Machine Code
7835 @section Source and Machine Code
7836 @cindex source line and its code address
7837
7838 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7839 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7840 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7841 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7842 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7843 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7844 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7845 well as hex.
7846
7847 @table @code
7848 @kindex info line
7849 @item info line @var{linespec}
7850 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7851 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7852 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7853 @end table
7854
7855 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7856 the object code for the first line of function
7857 @code{m4_changequote}:
7858
7859 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7860 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7861 @smallexample
7862 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7863 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7864 @end smallexample
7865
7866 @noindent
7867 @cindex code address and its source line
7868 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7869 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7870 @smallexample
7871 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7872 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7873 @end smallexample
7874
7875 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7876 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7877 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7878 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7879 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7880 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7881 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7882 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7883 Variables}).
7884
7885 @table @code
7886 @kindex disassemble
7887 @cindex assembly instructions
7888 @cindex instructions, assembly
7889 @cindex machine instructions
7890 @cindex listing machine instructions
7891 @item disassemble
7892 @itemx disassemble /m
7893 @itemx disassemble /r
7894 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7895 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7896 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7897 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7898 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7899 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7900 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7901 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7902 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7903 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7904
7905 @table @code
7906 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7907 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7908 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7909 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7910 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7911 @end table
7912
7913 @noindent
7914 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7915 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7916
7917 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7918 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7919
7920 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7921 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7922 @end table
7923
7924 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7925 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7926
7927 @smallexample
7928 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7929 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7930 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7931 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7932 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7933 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7934 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7935 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7936 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7937 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7938 End of assembler dump.
7939 @end smallexample
7940
7941 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7942 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7943
7944 @smallexample
7945 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7946 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7947 5 @{
7948 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7949 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7950 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7951 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7952 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7953
7954 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7955 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7956 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7957
7958 7 return 0;
7959 8 @}
7960 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7961 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7962 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7963
7964 End of assembler dump.
7965 @end smallexample
7966
7967 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7968
7969 @smallexample
7970 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7971 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7972 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7973 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7974 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7975 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7976 End of assembler dump.
7977 @end smallexample
7978
7979 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7980 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7981 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7982 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7983
7984 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7985 mnemonics or other syntax.
7986
7987 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7988 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7989 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7990 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7991 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7992
7993 @table @code
7994 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7995 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7996 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7997 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7998 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7999 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
8000
8001 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
8002 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
8003 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
8004 assemblers for x86-based targets.
8005
8006 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
8007 @item show disassembly-flavor
8008 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
8009 @end table
8010
8011 @table @code
8012 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
8013 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
8014 @item set disassemble-next-line
8015 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
8016 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
8017 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
8018 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
8019 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
8020 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
8021 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
8022 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
8023 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
8024 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
8025 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
8026 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
8027 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
8028 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
8029 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
8030 instruction.
8031 @end table
8032
8033
8034 @node Data
8035 @chapter Examining Data
8036
8037 @cindex printing data
8038 @cindex examining data
8039 @kindex print
8040 @kindex inspect
8041 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
8042 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
8043 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
8044 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
8045 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
8046 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
8047
8048 @table @code
8049 @item print @var{expr}
8050 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
8051 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
8052 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
8053 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
8054 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
8055 Formats}.
8056
8057 @item print
8058 @itemx print /@var{f}
8059 @cindex reprint the last value
8060 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
8061 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
8062 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
8063 @end table
8064
8065 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
8066 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
8067 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8068
8069 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
8070 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
8071 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
8072 Table}.
8073
8074 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
8075 @kindex explore
8076 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
8077 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
8078 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
8079 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
8080 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
8081 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
8082 embedded in the higher level data types.
8083
8084 @table @code
8085 @item explore @var{arg}
8086 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
8087 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
8088 @end table
8089
8090 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
8091 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
8092 C program as
8093
8094 @smallexample
8095 struct SimpleStruct
8096 @{
8097 int i;
8098 double d;
8099 @};
8100
8101 struct ComplexStruct
8102 @{
8103 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
8104 int arr[10];
8105 @};
8106 @end smallexample
8107
8108 @noindent
8109 followed by variable declarations as
8110
8111 @smallexample
8112 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
8113 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
8114 @end smallexample
8115
8116 @noindent
8117 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
8118 @code{explore} command as follows.
8119
8120 @smallexample
8121 (gdb) explore cs
8122 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
8123 the following fields:
8124
8125 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
8126 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
8127
8128 Enter the field number of choice:
8129 @end smallexample
8130
8131 @noindent
8132 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
8133 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
8134 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
8135 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
8136 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
8137 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
8138 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
8139 field will be explored as if it were an array.
8140
8141 @smallexample
8142 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
8143 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
8144 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
8145 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
8146
8147 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
8148 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
8149
8150 Press enter to return to parent value:
8151 @end smallexample
8152
8153 @noindent
8154 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
8155 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
8156 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
8157 to explore.
8158
8159 @smallexample
8160 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
8161 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
8162
8163 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
8164
8165 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
8166
8167 Press enter to return to parent value:
8168 @end smallexample
8169
8170 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
8171 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
8172 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
8173 level data structure).
8174
8175 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
8176 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
8177 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
8178 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
8179 same example as above, your can explore the type
8180 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
8181 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
8182
8183 @smallexample
8184 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
8185 @end smallexample
8186
8187 @noindent
8188 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
8189 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
8190 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
8191 example.
8192
8193 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
8194 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
8195 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
8196 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
8197 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
8198
8199 @table @code
8200 @item explore value @var{expr}
8201 @cindex explore value
8202 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
8203 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
8204 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
8205 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
8206 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
8207
8208 @item explore type @var{arg}
8209 @cindex explore type
8210 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
8211 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
8212 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
8213 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
8214 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
8215 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
8216 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
8217 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
8218 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
8219 @end table
8220
8221 @menu
8222 * Expressions:: Expressions
8223 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8224 * Variables:: Program variables
8225 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8226 * Output Formats:: Output formats
8227 * Memory:: Examining memory
8228 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
8229 * Print Settings:: Print settings
8230 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8231 * Value History:: Value history
8232 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8233 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8234 * Registers:: Registers
8235 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8236 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8237 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8238 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8239 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8240 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8241 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8242 character set than GDB does
8243 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
8244 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8245 @end menu
8246
8247 @node Expressions
8248 @section Expressions
8249
8250 @cindex expressions
8251 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8252 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8253 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8254 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8255 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8256 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8257 @ref{Compilation}.
8258
8259 @cindex arrays in expressions
8260 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8261 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8262 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8263 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8264 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8265 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8266
8267 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8268 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8269 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8270 languages.
8271
8272 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8273 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8274
8275 @cindex casts, in expressions
8276 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8277 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8278 at that address in memory.
8279 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8280
8281 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8282 to programming languages:
8283
8284 @table @code
8285 @item @@
8286 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8287 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8288
8289 @item ::
8290 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8291 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8292
8293 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8294 @cindex type casting memory
8295 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8296 @cindex casts, to view memory
8297 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8298 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8299 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
8300 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
8301 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
8302 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8303 @end table
8304
8305 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8306 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8307 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8308
8309 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8310 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8311 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8312 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8313 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8314 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8315 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8316
8317 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8318 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8319 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8320 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8321 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8322 as well.
8323
8324 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8325 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8326 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8327 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8328 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8329 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8330 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8331 choices.
8332
8333 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8334 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8335 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8336
8337 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8338 @smallexample
8339 @group
8340 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8341 [0] cancel
8342 [1] all
8343 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8344 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8345 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8346 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8347 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8348 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8349 > 2 4 6
8350 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8351 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8352 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8353 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8354 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8355 breakpoints.
8356 (@value{GDBP})
8357 @end group
8358 @end smallexample
8359
8360 @table @code
8361 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8362 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8363 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8364
8365 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8366 is ambiguous.
8367
8368 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8369 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8370 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8371 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8372 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8373 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8374 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8375 in the use of the menu.
8376
8377 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8378 when an ambiguity is detected.
8379
8380 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8381 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8382
8383 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8384 @item show multiple-symbols
8385 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8386 @end table
8387
8388 @node Variables
8389 @section Program Variables
8390
8391 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8392 in your program.
8393
8394 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8395 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8396
8397 @itemize @bullet
8398 @item
8399 global (or file-static)
8400 @end itemize
8401
8402 @noindent or
8403
8404 @itemize @bullet
8405 @item
8406 visible according to the scope rules of the
8407 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8408 @end itemize
8409
8410 @noindent This means that in the function
8411
8412 @smallexample
8413 foo (a)
8414 int a;
8415 @{
8416 bar (a);
8417 @{
8418 int b = test ();
8419 bar (b);
8420 @}
8421 @}
8422 @end smallexample
8423
8424 @noindent
8425 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8426 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8427 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8428 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8429
8430 @cindex variable name conflict
8431 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8432 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8433 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8434 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8435 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8436 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8437 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8438
8439 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8440 @ifnotinfo
8441 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8442 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8443 @end ifnotinfo
8444 @smallexample
8445 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8446 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8447 @end smallexample
8448
8449 @noindent
8450 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8451 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8452 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8453 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8454
8455 @smallexample
8456 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8457 @end smallexample
8458
8459 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8460 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8461 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8462 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8463 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8464
8465 @smallexample
8466 void
8467 foo (int a)
8468 @{
8469 if (a < 10)
8470 bar (a);
8471 else
8472 process (a); /* Stop here */
8473 @}
8474
8475 int
8476 bar (int a)
8477 @{
8478 foo (a + 5);
8479 @}
8480 @end smallexample
8481
8482 @noindent
8483 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8484 here is what you might see
8485 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8486
8487 @smallexample
8488 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8489 $1 = 10
8490 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8491 $2 = 5
8492 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8493 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8494 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8495 $3 = 5
8496 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8497 $4 = 0
8498 @end smallexample
8499
8500 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8501 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
8502 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
8503 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
8504 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
8505
8506 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
8507 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
8508 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
8509 @code{some_global}.
8510
8511 @smallexample
8512 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
8513 $1 = 23
8514 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
8515 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
8516 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
8517 $2 = 27
8518 @end smallexample
8519
8520 @cindex wrong values
8521 @cindex variable values, wrong
8522 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8523 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8524 @quotation
8525 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8526 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8527 scope, and just before exit.
8528 @end quotation
8529 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8530 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8531 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8532 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8533 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8534 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8535 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8536 variable definitions may be gone.
8537
8538 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8539 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8540 when compiling.
8541
8542 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8543 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8544 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8545 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8546 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8547 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8548 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8549
8550 @smallexample
8551 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8552 @end smallexample
8553
8554 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8555 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8556 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8557 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8558 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8559
8560 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8561 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8562 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8563 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8564
8565 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8566 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8567 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8568 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8569 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8570
8571 @smallexample
8572 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8573 29 i++;
8574 (gdb) next
8575 30 e (i);
8576 (gdb) print i
8577 $1 = 31
8578 (gdb) print i@@entry
8579 $2 = 30
8580 @end smallexample
8581
8582 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8583 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8584 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8585 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8586 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8587 For program code
8588
8589 @smallexample
8590 char var0[] = "A";
8591 signed char var1[] = "A";
8592 @end smallexample
8593
8594 You get during debugging
8595 @smallexample
8596 (gdb) print var0
8597 $1 = "A"
8598 (gdb) print var1
8599 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8600 @end smallexample
8601
8602 @node Arrays
8603 @section Artificial Arrays
8604
8605 @cindex artificial array
8606 @cindex arrays
8607 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8608 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8609 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8610 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8611 program.
8612
8613 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8614 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8615 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8616 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8617 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8618 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8619 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8620 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8621 example. If a program says
8622
8623 @smallexample
8624 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8625 @end smallexample
8626
8627 @noindent
8628 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8629
8630 @smallexample
8631 p *array@@len
8632 @end smallexample
8633
8634 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8635 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8636 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8637 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8638 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8639
8640 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8641 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8642 The value need not be in memory:
8643 @smallexample
8644 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8645 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8646 @end smallexample
8647
8648 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8649 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8650 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8651 @smallexample
8652 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8653 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8654 @end smallexample
8655
8656 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8657 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8658 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8659 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8660 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8661 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8662 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8663 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8664 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8665 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8666
8667 @smallexample
8668 set $i = 0
8669 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8670 @key{RET}
8671 @key{RET}
8672 @dots{}
8673 @end smallexample
8674
8675 @node Output Formats
8676 @section Output Formats
8677
8678 @cindex formatted output
8679 @cindex output formats
8680 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8681 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8682 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8683 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8684 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8685
8686 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8687 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8688 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8689 letters supported are:
8690
8691 @table @code
8692 @item x
8693 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8694 hexadecimal.
8695
8696 @item d
8697 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8698
8699 @item u
8700 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8701
8702 @item o
8703 Print as integer in octal.
8704
8705 @item t
8706 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8707 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8708 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8709 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8710
8711 @item a
8712 @cindex unknown address, locating
8713 @cindex locate address
8714 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8715 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8716 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8717
8718 @smallexample
8719 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8720 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8721 @end smallexample
8722
8723 @noindent
8724 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8725 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8726
8727 @item c
8728 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8729 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8730 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8731 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8732
8733 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8734 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8735 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8736 data.
8737
8738 @item f
8739 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8740 using typical floating point syntax.
8741
8742 @item s
8743 @cindex printing strings
8744 @cindex printing byte arrays
8745 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8746 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8747 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8748 natural types.
8749
8750 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8751 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8752 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8753 array.
8754
8755 @item z
8756 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
8757 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
8758 to the size of the integer type.
8759
8760 @item r
8761 @cindex raw printing
8762 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8763 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8764 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8765 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8766 pretty-printer which might exist.
8767 @end table
8768
8769 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8770
8771 @smallexample
8772 p/x $pc
8773 @end smallexample
8774
8775 @noindent
8776 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8777 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8778
8779 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8780 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8781 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8782
8783 @node Memory
8784 @section Examining Memory
8785
8786 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8787 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8788
8789 @cindex examining memory
8790 @table @code
8791 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8792 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8793 @itemx x @var{addr}
8794 @itemx x
8795 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8796 @end table
8797
8798 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8799 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8800 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8801 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8802 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8803
8804 @table @r
8805 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8806 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8807 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8808 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8809 @c 4.1.2.
8810
8811 @item @var{f}, the display format
8812 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8813 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8814 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8815 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8816 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8817
8818 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8819 The unit size is any of
8820
8821 @table @code
8822 @item b
8823 Bytes.
8824 @item h
8825 Halfwords (two bytes).
8826 @item w
8827 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8828 @item g
8829 Giant words (eight bytes).
8830 @end table
8831
8832 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8833 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8834 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8835 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8836 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8837 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8838 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8839 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8840 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8841 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8842 be altered.
8843
8844 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8845 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8846 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8847 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8848 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8849 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8850 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8851 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8852 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8853 a value from memory).
8854 @end table
8855
8856 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8857 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8858 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8859 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8860 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8861
8862 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8863 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8864 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8865 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8866 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8867
8868 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8869 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8870 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8871 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8872 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8873 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8874 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8875 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8876 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8877
8878 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8879 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8880 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8881 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8882 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8883 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8884 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8885
8886 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8887 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8888
8889 @smallexample
8890 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8891 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8892 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8893 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8894 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8895 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8896 @end smallexample
8897
8898 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8899 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8900 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8901 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8902 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8903 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8904 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8905 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8906 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8907
8908 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8909 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8910 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8911
8912 @cindex remote memory comparison
8913 @cindex target memory comparison
8914 @cindex verify remote memory image
8915 @cindex verify target memory image
8916 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8917 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
8918 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
8919 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
8920 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
8921 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
8922
8923 @table @code
8924 @kindex compare-sections
8925 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
8926 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8927 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8928 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8929 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
8930 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
8931
8932 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
8933 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
8934 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
8935 @end table
8936
8937 @node Auto Display
8938 @section Automatic Display
8939 @cindex automatic display
8940 @cindex display of expressions
8941
8942 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8943 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8944 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8945 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8946 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8947 The automatic display looks like this:
8948
8949 @smallexample
8950 2: foo = 38
8951 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8952 @end smallexample
8953
8954 @noindent
8955 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8956 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8957 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8958 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8959 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8960 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8961
8962 @table @code
8963 @kindex display
8964 @item display @var{expr}
8965 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8966 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8967
8968 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8969
8970 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8971 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8972 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8973 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8974 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8975
8976 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8977 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8978 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8979 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8980 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8981 @end table
8982
8983 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8984 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8985 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8986
8987 @table @code
8988 @kindex delete display
8989 @kindex undisplay
8990 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8991 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8992 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8993 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8994 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8995 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8996 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8997
8998 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8999 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
9000
9001 @kindex disable display
9002 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9003 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
9004 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
9005 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
9006 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
9007 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
9008 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
9009 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9010
9011 @kindex enable display
9012 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9013 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
9014 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
9015 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
9016 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
9017 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
9018 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9019
9020 @item display
9021 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
9022 done when your program stops.
9023
9024 @kindex info display
9025 @item info display
9026 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
9027 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
9028 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
9029 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
9030 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
9031 @end table
9032
9033 @cindex display disabled out of scope
9034 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
9035 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
9036 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
9037 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
9038 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
9039 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
9040 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
9041 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
9042 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
9043 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
9044
9045 @node Print Settings
9046 @section Print Settings
9047
9048 @cindex format options
9049 @cindex print settings
9050 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
9051 and symbols are printed.
9052
9053 @noindent
9054 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
9055
9056 @table @code
9057 @kindex set print
9058 @item set print address
9059 @itemx set print address on
9060 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
9061 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
9062 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
9063 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
9064 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
9065 @code{set print address on}:
9066
9067 @smallexample
9068 @group
9069 (@value{GDBP}) f
9070 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
9071 at input.c:530
9072 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9073 @end group
9074 @end smallexample
9075
9076 @item set print address off
9077 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
9078 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
9079
9080 @smallexample
9081 @group
9082 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
9083 (@value{GDBP}) f
9084 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
9085 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9086 @end group
9087 @end smallexample
9088
9089 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
9090 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
9091 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
9092 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
9093
9094 @kindex show print
9095 @item show print address
9096 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
9097 @end table
9098
9099 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
9100 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
9101 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
9102 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9103 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
9104 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
9105 it prints a symbolic address:
9106
9107 @table @code
9108 @item set print symbol-filename on
9109 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
9110 @cindex symbol, source file and line
9111 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
9112 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9113
9114 @item set print symbol-filename off
9115 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
9116 default.
9117
9118 @item show print symbol-filename
9119 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
9120 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9121 @end table
9122
9123 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
9124 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
9125 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
9126
9127 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
9128 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
9129
9130 @table @code
9131 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
9132 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
9133 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
9134 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
9135 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
9136 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
9137 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
9138 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
9139
9140 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
9141 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
9142 symbolic address.
9143 @end table
9144
9145 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
9146 @cindex pointer, finding referent
9147 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
9148 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
9149 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
9150 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
9151 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
9152 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9153
9154 @smallexample
9155 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
9156 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
9157 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
9158 @end smallexample
9159
9160 @quotation
9161 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
9162 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
9163 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
9164 @end quotation
9165
9166 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
9167 @samp{set print symbol on}:
9168
9169 @table @code
9170 @item set print symbol on
9171 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
9172 one exists.
9173
9174 @item set print symbol off
9175 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
9176 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
9177 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
9178
9179 @item show print symbol
9180 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
9181 address.
9182 @end table
9183
9184 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
9185
9186 @table @code
9187 @item set print array
9188 @itemx set print array on
9189 @cindex pretty print arrays
9190 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
9191 but uses more space. The default is off.
9192
9193 @item set print array off
9194 Return to compressed format for arrays.
9195
9196 @item show print array
9197 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
9198 arrays.
9199
9200 @cindex print array indexes
9201 @item set print array-indexes
9202 @itemx set print array-indexes on
9203 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
9204 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
9205 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
9206
9207 @item set print array-indexes off
9208 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
9209
9210 @item show print array-indexes
9211 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
9212 arrays.
9213
9214 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
9215 @itemx set print elements unlimited
9216 @cindex number of array elements to print
9217 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
9218 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
9219 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
9220 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
9221 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
9222 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
9223 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
9224 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
9225
9226 @item show print elements
9227 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
9228 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
9229
9230 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
9231 @kindex set print frame-arguments
9232 @cindex printing frame argument values
9233 @cindex print all frame argument values
9234 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
9235 @cindex do not print frame argument values
9236 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
9237 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
9238 values are:
9239
9240 @table @code
9241 @item all
9242 The values of all arguments are printed.
9243
9244 @item scalars
9245 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9246 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9247 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9248 only scalar arguments are shown:
9249
9250 @smallexample
9251 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9252 at frame-args.c:23
9253 @end smallexample
9254
9255 @item none
9256 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9257 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9258
9259 @smallexample
9260 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9261 at frame-args.c:23
9262 @end smallexample
9263 @end table
9264
9265 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9266 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9267 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9268 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9269 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9270 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9271 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9272 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9273 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9274 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9275
9276 @item show print frame-arguments
9277 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9278
9279 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
9280 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
9281
9282 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
9283 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
9284 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
9285 otherwise print the value in raw form.
9286 This is the default.
9287
9288 @item show print raw frame-arguments
9289 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
9290
9291 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9292 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9293 @kindex set print entry-values
9294 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9295 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9296 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9297 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9298 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9299
9300 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9301 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9302 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9303 @code{no} setting.
9304
9305 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9306 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9307 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9308 this information.
9309
9310 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9311
9312 @table @code
9313 @item no
9314 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9315 point.
9316 @smallexample
9317 #0 equal (val=5)
9318 #0 different (val=6)
9319 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9320 #0 born (val=10)
9321 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9322 @end smallexample
9323
9324 @item only
9325 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9326 values are never printed.
9327 @smallexample
9328 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9329 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9330 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9331 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9332 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9333 @end smallexample
9334
9335 @item preferred
9336 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9337 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9338 value for such parameter.
9339 @smallexample
9340 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9341 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9342 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9343 #0 born (val=10)
9344 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9345 @end smallexample
9346
9347 @item if-needed
9348 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9349 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9350 parameter.
9351 @smallexample
9352 #0 equal (val=5)
9353 #0 different (val=6)
9354 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9355 #0 born (val=10)
9356 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9357 @end smallexample
9358
9359 @item both
9360 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9361 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9362 optimizations.
9363 @smallexample
9364 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9365 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9366 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9367 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9368 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9369 @end smallexample
9370
9371 @item compact
9372 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9373 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9374 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9375 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9376 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9377 @smallexample
9378 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9379 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9380 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9381 #0 born (val=10)
9382 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9383 @end smallexample
9384
9385 @item default
9386 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9387 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9388 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9389 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9390 @smallexample
9391 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9392 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9393 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9394 #0 born (val=10)
9395 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9396 @end smallexample
9397 @end table
9398
9399 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9400 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9401
9402 @item show print entry-values
9403 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9404 entry.
9405
9406 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9407 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9408 @cindex repeated array elements
9409 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9410 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9411 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9412 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9413 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9414 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9415 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9416 is 10.
9417
9418 @item show print repeats
9419 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9420 elements.
9421
9422 @item set print null-stop
9423 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9424 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9425 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9426 contain only short strings.
9427 The default is off.
9428
9429 @item show print null-stop
9430 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9431 @sc{null} character.
9432
9433 @item set print pretty on
9434 @cindex print structures in indented form
9435 @cindex indentation in structure display
9436 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9437 per line, like this:
9438
9439 @smallexample
9440 @group
9441 $1 = @{
9442 next = 0x0,
9443 flags = @{
9444 sweet = 1,
9445 sour = 1
9446 @},
9447 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9448 @}
9449 @end group
9450 @end smallexample
9451
9452 @item set print pretty off
9453 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9454
9455 @smallexample
9456 @group
9457 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9458 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9459 @end group
9460 @end smallexample
9461
9462 @noindent
9463 This is the default format.
9464
9465 @item show print pretty
9466 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9467
9468 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9469 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9470 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9471 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9472 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9473 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9474 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9475 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9476
9477 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9478 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9479 international character sets, and is the default.
9480
9481 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9482 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9483
9484 @item set print union on
9485 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9486 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9487 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9488
9489 @item set print union off
9490 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9491 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9492 instead.
9493
9494 @item show print union
9495 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9496 structures and other unions.
9497
9498 For example, given the declarations
9499
9500 @smallexample
9501 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9502 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9503 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9504 Bug_forms;
9505
9506 struct thing @{
9507 Species it;
9508 union @{
9509 Tree_forms tree;
9510 Bug_forms bug;
9511 @} form;
9512 @};
9513
9514 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9515 @end smallexample
9516
9517 @noindent
9518 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9519
9520 @smallexample
9521 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9522 @end smallexample
9523
9524 @noindent
9525 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9526
9527 @smallexample
9528 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9529 @end smallexample
9530
9531 @noindent
9532 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9533 and in Pascal.
9534 @end table
9535
9536 @need 1000
9537 @noindent
9538 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9539
9540 @table @code
9541 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9542 @item set print demangle
9543 @itemx set print demangle on
9544 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9545 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9546 linkage. The default is on.
9547
9548 @item show print demangle
9549 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9550
9551 @item set print asm-demangle
9552 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9553 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9554 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9555 The default is off.
9556
9557 @item show print asm-demangle
9558 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9559 or demangled form.
9560
9561 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9562 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9563 @kindex set demangle-style
9564 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9565 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9566 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9567
9568 @table @code
9569 @item auto
9570 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9571 This is the default.
9572
9573 @item gnu
9574 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9575
9576 @item hp
9577 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9578
9579 @item lucid
9580 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9581
9582 @item arm
9583 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9584 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9585 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9586 require further enhancement to permit that.
9587
9588 @end table
9589 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9590
9591 @item show demangle-style
9592 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9593
9594 @item set print object
9595 @itemx set print object on
9596 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9597 @cindex display derived types
9598 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9599 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9600 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9601 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9602 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9603 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9604 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9605
9606 @item set print object off
9607 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9608 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9609
9610 @item show print object
9611 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9612
9613 @item set print static-members
9614 @itemx set print static-members on
9615 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9616 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9617
9618 @item set print static-members off
9619 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9620
9621 @item show print static-members
9622 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9623
9624 @item set print pascal_static-members
9625 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9626 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9627 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9628 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9629
9630 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9631 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9632
9633 @item show print pascal_static-members
9634 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9635
9636 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9637 @item set print vtbl
9638 @itemx set print vtbl on
9639 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9640 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9641 @cindex VTBL display
9642 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9643 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9644 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9645
9646 @item set print vtbl off
9647 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9648
9649 @item show print vtbl
9650 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9651 @end table
9652
9653 @node Pretty Printing
9654 @section Pretty Printing
9655
9656 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9657 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9658 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9659
9660 @menu
9661 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9662 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9663 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9664 @end menu
9665
9666 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9667 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9668
9669 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9670 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9671 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9672
9673 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9674 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9675 pretty-printers with their names.
9676 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9677 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9678 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9679 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9680
9681 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9682 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9683 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9684 do anything special.
9685
9686 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9687
9688 @itemize @bullet
9689 @item
9690 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9691 all inferiors.
9692
9693 @item
9694 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9695 when debugging that program.
9696 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9697
9698 @item
9699 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9700 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9701 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9702 @end itemize
9703
9704 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9705 pretty-printers are selected,
9706
9707 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9708 for new types.
9709
9710 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9711 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9712
9713 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9714
9715 @smallexample
9716 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9717 $1 = @{
9718 static npos = 4294967295,
9719 _M_dataplus = @{
9720 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9721 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9722 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9723 @},
9724 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9725 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9726 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9727 @}
9728 @}
9729 @end smallexample
9730
9731 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9732
9733 @smallexample
9734 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9735 $2 = "abcd"
9736 @end smallexample
9737
9738 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9739 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9740 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9741
9742 @table @code
9743 @kindex info pretty-printer
9744 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9745 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9746 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9747
9748 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9749 whose pretty-printers to list.
9750 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9751 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9752 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9753 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9754 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9755
9756 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9757 to list.
9758
9759 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9760 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9761 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9762 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9763
9764 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9765 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9766 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9767 @end table
9768
9769 Example:
9770
9771 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9772 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9773 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9774 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9775
9776 @smallexample
9777 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9778 library1.so:
9779 foo
9780 library2.so:
9781 bar
9782 bar1
9783 bar2
9784 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9785 library2.so:
9786 bar
9787 bar1
9788 bar2
9789 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9790 1 printer disabled
9791 2 of 3 printers enabled
9792 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9793 library1.so:
9794 foo [disabled]
9795 library2.so:
9796 bar
9797 bar1
9798 bar2
9799 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9800 1 printer disabled
9801 1 of 3 printers enabled
9802 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9803 library1.so:
9804 foo [disabled]
9805 library2.so:
9806 bar
9807 bar1 [disabled]
9808 bar2
9809 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9810 1 printer disabled
9811 0 of 3 printers enabled
9812 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9813 library1.so:
9814 foo [disabled]
9815 library2.so:
9816 bar [disabled]
9817 bar1 [disabled]
9818 bar2
9819 @end smallexample
9820
9821 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9822 as can each individual subprinter.
9823
9824 @node Value History
9825 @section Value History
9826
9827 @cindex value history
9828 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9829 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9830 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9831 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9832 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9833 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9834 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9835 symbol table.
9836
9837 @cindex @code{$}
9838 @cindex @code{$$}
9839 @cindex history number
9840 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9841 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9842 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9843 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9844 history number.
9845
9846 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9847 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9848 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9849 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9850 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9851 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9852 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9853
9854 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9855 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9856
9857 @smallexample
9858 p *$
9859 @end smallexample
9860
9861 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9862 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9863
9864 @smallexample
9865 p *$.next
9866 @end smallexample
9867
9868 @noindent
9869 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9870 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9871
9872 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9873 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9874
9875 @smallexample
9876 print x
9877 set x=5
9878 @end smallexample
9879
9880 @noindent
9881 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9882 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9883
9884 @table @code
9885 @kindex show values
9886 @item show values
9887 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9888 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9889 values} does not change the history.
9890
9891 @item show values @var{n}
9892 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9893
9894 @item show values +
9895 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9896 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9897 @end table
9898
9899 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9900 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9901
9902 @node Convenience Vars
9903 @section Convenience Variables
9904
9905 @cindex convenience variables
9906 @cindex user-defined variables
9907 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9908 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9909 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9910 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9911 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9912
9913 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9914 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9915 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9916 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9917 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9918
9919 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9920 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9921 For example:
9922
9923 @smallexample
9924 set $foo = *object_ptr
9925 @end smallexample
9926
9927 @noindent
9928 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9929 @code{object_ptr}.
9930
9931 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9932 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9933 value with another assignment at any time.
9934
9935 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9936 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9937 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9938 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9939
9940 @table @code
9941 @kindex show convenience
9942 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9943 @item show convenience
9944 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9945 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9946 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9947
9948 @kindex init-if-undefined
9949 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9950 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9951 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9952 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9953 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9954 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9955 override default values used in a command script.
9956
9957 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9958 any side-effects do not occur.
9959 @end table
9960
9961 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9962 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9963 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9964
9965 @smallexample
9966 set $i = 0
9967 print bar[$i++]->contents
9968 @end smallexample
9969
9970 @noindent
9971 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9972
9973 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9974 values likely to be useful.
9975
9976 @table @code
9977 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9978 @item $_
9979 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9980 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9981 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9982 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9983 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9984 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9985 to the type of @code{$__}.
9986
9987 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9988 @item $__
9989 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9990 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9991 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9992
9993 @item $_exitcode
9994 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9995 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
9996 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
9997 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
9998
9999 @item $_exitsignal
10000 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
10001 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
10002 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
10003 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
10004
10005 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
10006 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
10007 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
10008 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
10009 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
10010
10011 @smallexample
10012 #include <signal.h>
10013
10014 int
10015 main (int argc, char *argv[])
10016 @{
10017 raise (SIGALRM);
10018 return 0;
10019 @}
10020 @end smallexample
10021
10022 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
10023 or signalled would be:
10024
10025 @smallexample
10026 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
10027 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
10028 End with a line saying just ``end''.
10029 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
10030 >echo The program has exited\n
10031 >else
10032 >echo The program has signalled\n
10033 >end
10034 >end
10035 (@value{GDBP}) run
10036 Starting program:
10037
10038 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
10039 The program no longer exists.
10040 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10041 The program has signalled
10042 @end smallexample
10043
10044 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
10045 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
10046 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
10047 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
10048
10049 @smallexample
10050 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10051 The program has exited
10052 @end smallexample
10053
10054 @item $_exception
10055 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
10056 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
10057
10058 @item $_probe_argc
10059 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
10060 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
10061
10062 @item $_sdata
10063 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
10064 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
10065 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
10066 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
10067 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
10068
10069 @item $_siginfo
10070 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
10071 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
10072 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
10073 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
10074 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
10075
10076 @item $_tlb
10077 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
10078 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
10079 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
10080 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
10081 @xref{General Query Packets}.
10082 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
10083
10084 @end table
10085
10086 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
10087 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
10088 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
10089
10090 @node Convenience Funs
10091 @section Convenience Functions
10092
10093 @cindex convenience functions
10094 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
10095 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
10096 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
10097 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
10098 @value{GDBN}.
10099
10100 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10101 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
10102
10103 @table @code
10104
10105 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
10106 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
10107 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
10108 returns zero.
10109
10110 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
10111 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
10112 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
10113 it is @code{void}:
10114
10115 @smallexample
10116 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10117 $1 = void
10118 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10119 $2 = 1
10120 (@value{GDBP}) run
10121 Starting program: ./a.out
10122 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
10123 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10124 $3 = 0
10125 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10126 $4 = 0
10127 @end smallexample
10128
10129 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
10130 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
10131 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
10132 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
10133 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
10134 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
10135 anymore.
10136
10137 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
10138 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
10139
10140 @smallexample
10141 void
10142 foo (void)
10143 @{
10144 @}
10145 @end smallexample
10146
10147 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
10148
10149 @smallexample
10150 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
10151 $1 = void
10152 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
10153 $2 = 1
10154 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
10155 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
10156 $3 = void
10157 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
10158 $4 = 1
10159 @end smallexample
10160
10161 @end table
10162
10163 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10164 @code{Python} support.
10165
10166 @table @code
10167
10168 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
10169 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
10170 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
10171 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
10172 Otherwise it returns zero.
10173
10174 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
10175 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
10176 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
10177 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10178 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
10179 regular expression support.
10180
10181 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
10182 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
10183 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
10184 Otherwise it returns zero.
10185
10186 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
10187 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
10188 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
10189
10190 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10191 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10192 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10193 Otherwise it returns zero.
10194
10195 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10196 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10197 The default is 1.
10198
10199 Example:
10200
10201 @smallexample
10202 (gdb) backtrace
10203 #0 bottom_func ()
10204 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
10205 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
10206 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
10207 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
10208 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
10209 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
10210 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
10211 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
10212 $1 = 1
10213 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
10214 $1 = 1
10215 @end smallexample
10216
10217 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10218 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10219 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
10220 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10221
10222 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10223 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10224 The default is 1.
10225
10226 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10227 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10228 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10229 Otherwise it returns zero.
10230
10231 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10232 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10233 The default is 1.
10234
10235 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
10236 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10237 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
10238 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10239
10240 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10241 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10242 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
10243 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10244
10245 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10246 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10247 The default is 1.
10248
10249 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
10250 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10251 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
10252 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10253
10254 @end table
10255
10256 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
10257 convenience functions.
10258
10259 @table @code
10260 @item help function
10261 @kindex help function
10262 @cindex show all convenience functions
10263 Print a list of all convenience functions.
10264 @end table
10265
10266 @node Registers
10267 @section Registers
10268
10269 @cindex registers
10270 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
10271 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
10272 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
10273 your machine.
10274
10275 @table @code
10276 @kindex info registers
10277 @item info registers
10278 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
10279 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10280
10281 @kindex info all-registers
10282 @cindex floating point registers
10283 @item info all-registers
10284 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
10285 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10286
10287 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
10288 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
10289 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
10290 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
10291 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
10292 @end table
10293
10294 @anchor{standard registers}
10295 @cindex stack pointer register
10296 @cindex program counter register
10297 @cindex process status register
10298 @cindex frame pointer register
10299 @cindex standard registers
10300 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
10301 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
10302 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
10303 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
10304 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
10305 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
10306 register that contains the processor status. For example,
10307 you could print the program counter in hex with
10308
10309 @smallexample
10310 p/x $pc
10311 @end smallexample
10312
10313 @noindent
10314 or print the instruction to be executed next with
10315
10316 @smallexample
10317 x/i $pc
10318 @end smallexample
10319
10320 @noindent
10321 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
10322 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
10323 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
10324 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
10325 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
10326 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
10327 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
10328
10329 @smallexample
10330 set $sp += 4
10331 @end smallexample
10332
10333 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
10334 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
10335 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
10336 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
10337 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
10338 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
10339 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
10340
10341 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
10342 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
10343 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
10344 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
10345 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
10346 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
10347 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
10348
10349 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
10350 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
10351 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
10352 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
10353 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
10354 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
10355 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
10356 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
10357 prints the data in both formats.
10358
10359 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
10360 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
10361 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
10362 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
10363 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
10364 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
10365 registers in @code{struct} notation:
10366
10367 @smallexample
10368 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
10369 $1 = @{
10370 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
10371 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
10372 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
10373 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
10374 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
10375 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
10376 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
10377 @}
10378 @end smallexample
10379
10380 @noindent
10381 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
10382 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
10383 value to a @code{struct} member:
10384
10385 @smallexample
10386 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
10387 @end smallexample
10388
10389 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
10390 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
10391 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
10392 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
10393 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
10394 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
10395
10396 @cindex caller-saved registers
10397 @cindex call-clobbered registers
10398 @cindex volatile registers
10399 @cindex <not saved> values
10400 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
10401 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
10402 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
10403 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
10404 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
10405 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
10406 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
10407 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
10408 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
10409 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
10410 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
10411 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
10412 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
10413 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
10414 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
10415 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
10416 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
10417 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
10418 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
10419 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
10420 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
10421 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
10422 represent the value the register had just before the call.
10423
10424 @node Floating Point Hardware
10425 @section Floating Point Hardware
10426 @cindex floating point
10427
10428 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
10429 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
10430
10431 @table @code
10432 @kindex info float
10433 @item info float
10434 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
10435 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
10436 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
10437 the ARM and x86 machines.
10438 @end table
10439
10440 @node Vector Unit
10441 @section Vector Unit
10442 @cindex vector unit
10443
10444 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
10445 more information about the status of the vector unit.
10446
10447 @table @code
10448 @kindex info vector
10449 @item info vector
10450 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
10451 layout vary depending on the hardware.
10452 @end table
10453
10454 @node OS Information
10455 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
10456 @cindex OS information
10457
10458 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
10459 you debug your program.
10460
10461 @cindex auxiliary vector
10462 @cindex vector, auxiliary
10463 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
10464 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10465 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10466 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10467 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10468 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10469 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10470 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10471 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10472 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10473 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10474
10475 @table @code
10476 @kindex info auxv
10477 @item info auxv
10478 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10479 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10480 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10481 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10482 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10483 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10484 an unrecognized tag.
10485 @end table
10486
10487 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10488 information and show it to you. The types of information available
10489 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10490 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10491 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10492 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10493 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10494
10495 @table @code
10496 @kindex info os
10497 @item info os @var{infotype}
10498
10499 Display OS information of the requested type.
10500
10501 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10502
10503 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10504 @table @code
10505 @kindex info os processes
10506 @item processes
10507 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10508 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10509 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10510 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10511 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10512 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10513
10514 @kindex info os procgroups
10515 @item procgroups
10516 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10517 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10518 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10519 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10520 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10521 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10522 and the process group leader is listed first.
10523
10524 @kindex info os threads
10525 @item threads
10526 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10527 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10528 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10529 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10530 process is not listed.
10531
10532 @kindex info os files
10533 @item files
10534 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10535 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10536 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10537 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10538
10539 @kindex info os sockets
10540 @item sockets
10541 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10542 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10543 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10544 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10545 connection.
10546
10547 @kindex info os shm
10548 @item shm
10549 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10550 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10551 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10552 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10553 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10554 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10555 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10556
10557 @kindex info os semaphores
10558 @item semaphores
10559 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10560 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10561 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10562 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10563 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10564
10565 @kindex info os msg
10566 @item msg
10567 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10568 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10569 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10570 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10571 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10572 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10573 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10574 the message queue was last changed.
10575
10576 @kindex info os modules
10577 @item modules
10578 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10579 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10580 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10581 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10582 in memory.
10583 @end table
10584
10585 @item info os
10586 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10587 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10588 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10589 types, this command will report an error.
10590 @end table
10591
10592 @node Memory Region Attributes
10593 @section Memory Region Attributes
10594 @cindex memory region attributes
10595
10596 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10597 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10598 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10599 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10600 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10601 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10602 user can override the fetched regions.
10603
10604 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10605 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10606 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10607 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10608 all memory.
10609
10610 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10611 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10612
10613 @table @code
10614 @kindex mem
10615 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10616 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10617 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10618 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10619 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10620 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10621
10622 @item mem auto
10623 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10624 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10625
10626 @kindex delete mem
10627 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10628 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10629 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10630
10631 @kindex disable mem
10632 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10633 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10634 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10635 It may be enabled again later.
10636
10637 @kindex enable mem
10638 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10639 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10640
10641 @kindex info mem
10642 @item info mem
10643 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10644 for each region:
10645
10646 @table @emph
10647 @item Memory Region Number
10648 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10649 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10650 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10651
10652 @item Lo Address
10653 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10654
10655 @item Hi Address
10656 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10657
10658 @item Attributes
10659 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10660 @end table
10661 @end table
10662
10663
10664 @subsection Attributes
10665
10666 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10667 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10668 write accesses to a memory region.
10669
10670 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10671 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10672 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10673
10674 @table @code
10675 @item ro
10676 Memory is read only.
10677 @item wo
10678 Memory is write only.
10679 @item rw
10680 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10681 @end table
10682
10683 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10684 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10685 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10686 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10687 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10688
10689 @table @code
10690 @item 8
10691 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10692 @item 16
10693 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10694 @item 32
10695 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10696 @item 64
10697 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10698 @end table
10699
10700 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10701 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10702 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10703 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10704 @c
10705 @c @table @code
10706 @c @item hwbreak
10707 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10708 @c @item swbreak (default)
10709 @c @end table
10710
10711 @subsubsection Data Cache
10712 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10713 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10714 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10715 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10716 registers.
10717
10718 @table @code
10719 @item cache
10720 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10721 @item nocache
10722 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10723 @end table
10724
10725 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10726 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10727 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10728 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10729 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10730
10731 @table @code
10732 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10733 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10734 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10735 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10736 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10737 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10738 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10739 The default value is @code{on}.
10740 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10741 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10742 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10743 @end table
10744
10745
10746 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10747 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10748 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10749 @c
10750 @c @table @code
10751 @c @item verify
10752 @c @item noverify (default)
10753 @c @end table
10754
10755 @node Dump/Restore Files
10756 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10757 @cindex dump/restore files
10758 @cindex append data to a file
10759 @cindex dump data to a file
10760 @cindex restore data from a file
10761
10762 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10763 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10764 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10765 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10766 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10767 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10768 files.
10769
10770 @table @code
10771
10772 @kindex dump
10773 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10774 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10775 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10776 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10777
10778 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10779 @table @code
10780 @item binary
10781 Raw binary form.
10782 @item ihex
10783 Intel hex format.
10784 @item srec
10785 Motorola S-record format.
10786 @item tekhex
10787 Tektronix Hex format.
10788 @end table
10789
10790 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10791 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10792 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10793 form.
10794
10795 @kindex append
10796 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10797 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10798 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10799 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10800 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10801
10802 @kindex restore
10803 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10804 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10805 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10806 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10807 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10808
10809 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10810 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10811 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10812 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10813 from that location.
10814
10815 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10816 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10817 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10818 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10819
10820 @end table
10821
10822 @node Core File Generation
10823 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10824 @cindex dump core from inferior
10825
10826 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10827 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10828 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10829 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10830 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10831 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10832 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10833
10834 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10835 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10836 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10837
10838 @table @code
10839 @kindex gcore
10840 @kindex generate-core-file
10841 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10842 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10843 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10844 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10845 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10846 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10847
10848 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10849 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10850 @end table
10851
10852 @node Character Sets
10853 @section Character Sets
10854 @cindex character sets
10855 @cindex charset
10856 @cindex translating between character sets
10857 @cindex host character set
10858 @cindex target character set
10859
10860 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10861 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10862 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10863 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10864 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10865 @dfn{target character set}.
10866
10867 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10868 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10869 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10870 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10871 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10872 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10873 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10874 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10875 character and string literals in expressions.
10876
10877 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10878 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10879 target-charset} command, described below.
10880
10881 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10882 support:
10883
10884 @table @code
10885 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10886 @kindex set target-charset
10887 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10888 list of supported target character sets, type
10889 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10890
10891 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10892 @kindex set host-charset
10893 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10894
10895 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10896 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10897 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10898 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10899 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10900
10901 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10902 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10903 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10904
10905 @item set charset @var{charset}
10906 @kindex set charset
10907 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10908 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10909 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10910 for both host and target.
10911
10912 @item show charset
10913 @kindex show charset
10914 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10915
10916 @item show host-charset
10917 @kindex show host-charset
10918 Show the name of the current host character set.
10919
10920 @item show target-charset
10921 @kindex show target-charset
10922 Show the name of the current target character set.
10923
10924 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10925 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10926 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10927 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10928 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10929 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10930
10931 @item show target-wide-charset
10932 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10933 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10934 @end table
10935
10936 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10937 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10938 @file{charset-test.c}:
10939
10940 @smallexample
10941 #include <stdio.h>
10942
10943 char ascii_hello[]
10944 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10945 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10946 char ibm1047_hello[]
10947 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10948 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10949
10950 main ()
10951 @{
10952 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10953 @}
10954 @end smallexample
10955
10956 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10957 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10958 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10959
10960 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10961
10962 @smallexample
10963 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10964 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10965 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10966 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10967 @dots{}
10968 (@value{GDBP})
10969 @end smallexample
10970
10971 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10972 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10973 strings:
10974
10975 @smallexample
10976 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10977 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10978 (@value{GDBP})
10979 @end smallexample
10980
10981 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10982 initial character set:
10983 @smallexample
10984 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10985 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10986 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10987 (@value{GDBP})
10988 @end smallexample
10989
10990 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10991 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10992 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10993 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10994 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10995
10996 @smallexample
10997 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10998 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10999 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11000 $2 = 72 'H'
11001 (@value{GDBP})
11002 @end smallexample
11003
11004 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
11005 literals you use in expressions:
11006
11007 @smallexample
11008 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11009 $3 = 43 '+'
11010 (@value{GDBP})
11011 @end smallexample
11012
11013 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
11014 character.
11015
11016 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
11017 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
11018 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
11019
11020 @smallexample
11021 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11022 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
11023 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11024 $5 = 200 '\310'
11025 (@value{GDBP})
11026 @end smallexample
11027
11028 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
11029 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
11030
11031 @smallexample
11032 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11033 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
11034 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11035 @end smallexample
11036
11037 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
11038 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
11039 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
11040 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
11041 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
11042
11043 @smallexample
11044 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
11045 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11046 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
11047 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
11048 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11049 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
11050 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11051 $7 = 72 '\110'
11052 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11053 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
11054 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11055 $9 = 200 'H'
11056 (@value{GDBP})
11057 @end smallexample
11058
11059 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
11060 string literals you use in expressions:
11061
11062 @smallexample
11063 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11064 $10 = 78 '+'
11065 (@value{GDBP})
11066 @end smallexample
11067
11068 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
11069 character.
11070
11071 @node Caching Target Data
11072 @section Caching Data of Targets
11073 @cindex caching data of targets
11074
11075 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
11076 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
11077 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
11078 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
11079 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
11080 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
11081 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
11082 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
11083 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
11084 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
11085 is executing.
11086 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
11087 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
11088 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
11089 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
11090 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
11091 in the code segment.
11092 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
11093 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
11094
11095 @table @code
11096 @kindex set remotecache
11097 @item set remotecache on
11098 @itemx set remotecache off
11099 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
11100 with old scripts.
11101
11102 @kindex show remotecache
11103 @item show remotecache
11104 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
11105
11106 @kindex set stack-cache
11107 @item set stack-cache on
11108 @itemx set stack-cache off
11109 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
11110 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
11111
11112 @kindex show stack-cache
11113 @item show stack-cache
11114 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
11115
11116 @kindex set code-cache
11117 @item set code-cache on
11118 @itemx set code-cache off
11119 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
11120 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
11121 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
11122
11123 @kindex show code-cache
11124 @item show code-cache
11125 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
11126 accesses.
11127
11128 @kindex info dcache
11129 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
11130 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
11131 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
11132 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
11133 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
11134 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
11135
11136 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
11137 printed in hex.
11138
11139 @item set dcache size @var{size}
11140 @cindex dcache size
11141 @kindex set dcache size
11142 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
11143
11144 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
11145 @cindex dcache line-size
11146 @kindex set dcache line-size
11147 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
11148 Must be a power of 2.
11149
11150 @item show dcache size
11151 @kindex show dcache size
11152 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
11153
11154 @item show dcache line-size
11155 @kindex show dcache line-size
11156 Show default size of dcache lines.
11157
11158 @end table
11159
11160 @node Searching Memory
11161 @section Search Memory
11162 @cindex searching memory
11163
11164 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
11165 @code{find} command.
11166
11167 @table @code
11168 @kindex find
11169 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11170 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11171 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
11172 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
11173 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
11174 @end table
11175
11176 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
11177 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
11178
11179 @table @r
11180 @item @var{s}, search query size
11181 The size of each search query value.
11182
11183 @table @code
11184 @item b
11185 bytes
11186 @item h
11187 halfwords (two bytes)
11188 @item w
11189 words (four bytes)
11190 @item g
11191 giant words (eight bytes)
11192 @end table
11193
11194 All values are interpreted in the current language.
11195 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
11196 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
11197
11198 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
11199 value's type in the current language.
11200 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
11201 pattern as a mixture of types.
11202 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
11203 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
11204 which is typically four bytes.
11205
11206 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
11207 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
11208 @end table
11209
11210 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
11211 (@code{"}).
11212 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
11213 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
11214
11215 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
11216 number of matches found.
11217
11218 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
11219 @samp{$_}.
11220 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
11221
11222 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
11223
11224 @smallexample
11225 void
11226 hello ()
11227 @{
11228 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
11229 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
11230 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
11231 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
11232 printf ("%s\n", hello);
11233 @}
11234 @end smallexample
11235
11236 @noindent
11237 you get during debugging:
11238
11239 @smallexample
11240 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
11241 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11242 1 pattern found
11243 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
11244 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11245 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11246 2 patterns found
11247 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
11248 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11249 1 pattern found
11250 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
11251 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
11252 1 pattern found
11253 (gdb) print $numfound
11254 $1 = 1
11255 (gdb) print $_
11256 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
11257 @end smallexample
11258
11259 @node Optimized Code
11260 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
11261 @cindex optimized code, debugging
11262 @cindex debugging optimized code
11263
11264 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
11265 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
11266 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
11267 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
11268 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
11269 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
11270 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
11271
11272 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
11273 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
11274 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
11275 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
11276
11277 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
11278 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
11279 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
11280 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
11281 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
11282 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
11283
11284 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
11285 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
11286 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
11287 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
11288 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
11289
11290 @menu
11291 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
11292 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
11293 @end menu
11294
11295 @node Inline Functions
11296 @section Inline Functions
11297 @cindex inline functions, debugging
11298
11299 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
11300 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
11301 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
11302 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
11303 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
11304 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
11305 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
11306 @code{info frame} command.
11307
11308 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
11309 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
11310 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
11311 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
11312 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
11313 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
11314 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
11315 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
11316 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
11317 local variables in the caller.
11318
11319 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
11320 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
11321 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
11322 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
11323 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
11324 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
11325 instructions are executed.
11326
11327 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
11328 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
11329 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
11330 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
11331
11332 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
11333 function calls are the same as normal calls:
11334
11335 @itemize @bullet
11336 @item
11337 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
11338 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
11339 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
11340 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
11341 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
11342 or inside the inlined function instead.
11343
11344 @item
11345 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
11346 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
11347 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
11348 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
11349
11350 @end itemize
11351
11352 @node Tail Call Frames
11353 @section Tail Call Frames
11354 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
11355
11356 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
11357 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
11358 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
11359 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
11360 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
11361
11362 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
11363 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
11364 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
11365 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
11366 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
11367 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
11368 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
11369
11370 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11371 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
11372 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11373 this information.
11374
11375 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
11376 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
11377
11378 @smallexample
11379 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
11380 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
11381 (gdb) info frame
11382 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
11383 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
11384 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
11385 source language c++.
11386 Arglist at unknown address.
11387 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
11388 @end smallexample
11389
11390 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
11391 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
11392 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
11393 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
11394 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
11395 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
11396
11397 @table @code
11398 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
11399 @item set debug entry-values
11400 @kindex set debug entry-values
11401 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
11402 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
11403 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
11404 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
11405 result.
11406
11407 @item show debug entry-values
11408 @kindex show debug entry-values
11409 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
11410 values at function entry and tail calls.
11411 @end table
11412
11413 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
11414 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
11415 reference by variable @code{x}):
11416
11417 @smallexample
11418 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
11419 void (*x) (void) = c;
11420 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11421 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
11422 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
11423
11424 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
11425 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
11426 a () at t.c:3
11427 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11428 (gdb) bt
11429 #0 a () at t.c:3
11430 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
11431 @end smallexample
11432
11433 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
11434
11435 @smallexample
11436 int i;
11437 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
11438 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
11439 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
11440 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
11441 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
11442 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
11443 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
11444 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
11445
11446 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
11447 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
11448 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
11449 (gdb) bt
11450 #0 f () at t.c:2
11451 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
11452 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
11453 @end smallexample
11454
11455 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
11456 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
11457
11458 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
11459 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11460 @set ARROW @click{}
11461 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
11462 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
11463 @end ifset
11464 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11465 @set ARROW ->
11466 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
11467 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
11468 @end ifclear
11469
11470 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
11471 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
11472 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
11473
11474 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
11475 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
11476 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
11477 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
11478 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
11479 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
11480
11481 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11482 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11483 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11484 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11485 omitted.
11486
11487 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11488 entry may fail:
11489
11490 @smallexample
11491 int v;
11492 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11493 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11494 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11495 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11496 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11497 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11498
11499 (gdb) bt
11500 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11501 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11502 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11503 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11504 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11505 @end smallexample
11506
11507 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11508 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11509 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11510 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11511 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11512
11513 @node Macros
11514 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11515
11516 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11517 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11518 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11519 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11520 where it was defined.
11521
11522 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11523 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11524 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11525 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11526
11527 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11528 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11529 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11530 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11531 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11532 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11533 see @ref{List}.
11534
11535 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11536 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11537 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11538
11539 @table @code
11540
11541 @kindex macro expand
11542 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11543 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11544 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11545 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11546 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11547 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11548 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11549 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11550 it can be any string of tokens.
11551
11552 @kindex macro exp1
11553 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11554 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11555 @cindex expand macro once
11556 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11557 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11558 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11559 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11560 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11561 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11562 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11563 can be any string of tokens.
11564
11565 @kindex info macro
11566 @cindex macro definition, showing
11567 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11568 @cindex macros, from debug info
11569 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11570 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11571 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11572 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11573 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11574 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11575
11576 @kindex info macros
11577 @item info macros @var{linespec}
11578 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11579 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11580 command-line where those definitions were established.
11581
11582 @kindex macro define
11583 @cindex user-defined macros
11584 @cindex defining macros interactively
11585 @cindex macros, user-defined
11586 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11587 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11588 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11589 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11590 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11591 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11592 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11593 @var{arglist}.
11594
11595 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11596 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11597 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11598 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11599 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11600
11601 @kindex macro undef
11602 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11603 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11604 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11605 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11606 in the program being debugged.
11607
11608 @kindex macro list
11609 @item macro list
11610 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11611 @end table
11612
11613 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11614 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11615 show our source files:
11616
11617 @smallexample
11618 $ cat sample.c
11619 #include <stdio.h>
11620 #include "sample.h"
11621
11622 #define M 42
11623 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11624
11625 main ()
11626 @{
11627 #define N 28
11628 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11629 #undef N
11630 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11631 #define N 1729
11632 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11633 @}
11634 $ cat sample.h
11635 #define Q <
11636 $
11637 @end smallexample
11638
11639 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11640 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11641 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11642 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11643 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11644 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11645 information.
11646
11647 @smallexample
11648 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11649 $
11650 @end smallexample
11651
11652 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11653
11654 @smallexample
11655 $ gdb -nw sample
11656 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11657 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11658 GDB is free software, @dots{}
11659 (@value{GDBP})
11660 @end smallexample
11661
11662 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11663 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11664 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11665
11666 @smallexample
11667 (@value{GDBP}) list main
11668 3
11669 4 #define M 42
11670 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11671 6
11672 7 main ()
11673 8 @{
11674 9 #define N 28
11675 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11676 11 #undef N
11677 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11678 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11679 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11680 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11681 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11682 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11683 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11684 #define Q <
11685 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11686 expands to: (42 + 1)
11687 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11688 expands to: once (M + 1)
11689 (@value{GDBP})
11690 @end smallexample
11691
11692 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11693 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11694 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11695 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11696
11697 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11698 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11699
11700 @smallexample
11701 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11702 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11703 (@value{GDBP}) run
11704 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11705
11706 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11707 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11708 (@value{GDBP})
11709 @end smallexample
11710
11711 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11712
11713 @smallexample
11714 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11715 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11716 #define N 28
11717 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11718 expands to: 28 < 42
11719 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11720 $1 = 1
11721 (@value{GDBP})
11722 @end smallexample
11723
11724 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11725 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11726 thereof) in force at each point:
11727
11728 @smallexample
11729 (@value{GDBP}) next
11730 Hello, world!
11731 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11732 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11733 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11734 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11735 (@value{GDBP}) next
11736 We're so creative.
11737 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11738 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11739 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11740 #define N 1729
11741 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11742 expands to: 1729 < 42
11743 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11744 $2 = 0
11745 (@value{GDBP})
11746 @end smallexample
11747
11748 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11749 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11750 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11751 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11752
11753 @smallexample
11754 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11755 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11756 -D__STDC__=1
11757 (@value{GDBP})
11758 @end smallexample
11759
11760
11761 @node Tracepoints
11762 @chapter Tracepoints
11763 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11764 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11765
11766 @cindex tracepoints
11767 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11768 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11769 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11770 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11771 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11772 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11773 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11774
11775 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11776 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11777 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11778 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11779 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11780 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11781 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11782 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11783 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11784 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11785 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11786
11787 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11788 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11789 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11790 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11791 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11792 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11793 Packets}.
11794
11795 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11796 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11797 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11798
11799 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11800
11801 @menu
11802 * Set Tracepoints::
11803 * Analyze Collected Data::
11804 * Tracepoint Variables::
11805 * Trace Files::
11806 @end menu
11807
11808 @node Set Tracepoints
11809 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11810
11811 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11812 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11813 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11814 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11815 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11816 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11817 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11818
11819 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11820 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11821 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11822 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11823 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11824 tracepoint was hit.
11825
11826 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11827 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11828 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11829 either.
11830
11831 @cindex fast tracepoints
11832 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11833 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11834 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11835
11836 @cindex static tracepoints
11837 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11838 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11839 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11840 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11841 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11842 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11843 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11844 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11845 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11846 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11847 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11848 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11849 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11850 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11851 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11852 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11853 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11854 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11855 static tracepoint marker.
11856
11857 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11858 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11859
11860 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11861 conditions and actions.
11862
11863 @menu
11864 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11865 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11866 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11867 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11868 * Trace State Variables::
11869 * Tracepoint Actions::
11870 * Listing Tracepoints::
11871 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11872 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11873 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11874 @end menu
11875
11876 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11877 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11878
11879 @table @code
11880 @cindex set tracepoint
11881 @kindex trace
11882 @item trace @var{location}
11883 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11884 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11885 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11886 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11887 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11888 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11889 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11890 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11891 in tracing}).
11892 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11893 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11894 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11895 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11896 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11897 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11898 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11899 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11900 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11901 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11902 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11903 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11904
11905 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11906
11907 @smallexample
11908 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11909
11910 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11911
11912 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11913
11914 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11915
11916 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11917 @end smallexample
11918
11919 @noindent
11920 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11921
11922 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11923 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11924 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11925 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11926 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11927 information on tracepoint conditions.
11928
11929 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11930 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11931 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11932 @kindex ftrace
11933 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11934 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11935 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11936 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11937 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11938 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11939 message.
11940
11941 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11942 @code{trace}.
11943
11944 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11945 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11946 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11947 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11948 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11949 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11950 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11951 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11952
11953 @example
11954 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11955 @end example
11956
11957 @noindent
11958 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11959 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11960
11961 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11962 @cindex set static tracepoint
11963 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11964 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11965 @kindex strace
11966 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11967 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11968 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11969 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11970 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11971
11972 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11973 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11974 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11975 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11976 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11977 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11978 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11979 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11980 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11981 tracing engine:
11982
11983 @smallexample
11984 main ()
11985 @{
11986 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11987 @}
11988 @end smallexample
11989
11990 @noindent
11991 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11992 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11993
11994 @smallexample
11995 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11996 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11997 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11998 Data: "str %s"
11999 [etc...]
12000 @end smallexample
12001
12002 @noindent
12003 so you may probe the marker above with:
12004
12005 @smallexample
12006 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
12007 @end smallexample
12008
12009 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
12010 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
12011 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
12012 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
12013 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
12014 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
12015 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
12016 the @samp{Data:} field.
12017
12018 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
12019 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
12020 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
12021
12022 @vindex $tpnum
12023 @cindex last tracepoint number
12024 @cindex recent tracepoint number
12025 @cindex tracepoint number
12026 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
12027 of the most recently set tracepoint.
12028
12029 @kindex delete tracepoint
12030 @cindex tracepoint deletion
12031 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12032 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
12033 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
12034 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
12035
12036 Examples:
12037
12038 @smallexample
12039 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
12040
12041 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
12042 @end smallexample
12043
12044 @noindent
12045 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
12046 @end table
12047
12048 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12049 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12050
12051 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
12052
12053 @table @code
12054 @kindex disable tracepoint
12055 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12056 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
12057 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
12058 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
12059 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
12060 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
12061 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
12062 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
12063 next trace experiment.
12064
12065 @kindex enable tracepoint
12066 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12067 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
12068 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
12069 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
12070 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
12071 next time a trace experiment is run.
12072 @end table
12073
12074 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
12075 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
12076
12077 @table @code
12078 @kindex passcount
12079 @cindex tracepoint pass count
12080 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
12081 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
12082 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
12083 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
12084 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
12085 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
12086 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
12087 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
12088 user.
12089
12090 Examples:
12091
12092 @smallexample
12093 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
12094 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
12095
12096 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
12097 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
12098 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12099 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
12100 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
12101 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
12102 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
12103 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
12104 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
12105 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
12106 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
12107 @end smallexample
12108 @end table
12109
12110 @node Tracepoint Conditions
12111 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
12112 @cindex conditional tracepoints
12113 @cindex tracepoint conditions
12114
12115 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
12116 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
12117 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
12118 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
12119 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
12120 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
12121 is true.
12122
12123 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
12124 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
12125 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
12126 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
12127 just as with breakpoints.
12128
12129 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
12130 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
12131 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
12132 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
12133 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
12134 accesses, and so forth.
12135
12136 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
12137 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
12138 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
12139 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
12140 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
12141 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
12142 search through.
12143
12144 @smallexample
12145 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
12146 @end smallexample
12147
12148 @node Trace State Variables
12149 @subsection Trace State Variables
12150 @cindex trace state variables
12151
12152 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
12153 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
12154 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
12155 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
12156 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
12157 integers.
12158
12159 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
12160 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
12161 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
12162 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
12163
12164 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
12165 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
12166 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
12167 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
12168 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
12169 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
12170 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
12171 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
12172 variable with the same name.
12173
12174 @table @code
12175
12176 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
12177 @kindex tvariable
12178 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
12179 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
12180 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
12181 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
12182 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
12183 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
12184 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
12185 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
12186 value. The default initial value is 0.
12187
12188 @item info tvariables
12189 @kindex info tvariables
12190 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
12191 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
12192 currently running.
12193
12194 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
12195 @kindex delete tvariable
12196 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
12197 are specified.
12198
12199 @end table
12200
12201 @node Tracepoint Actions
12202 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
12203
12204 @table @code
12205 @kindex actions
12206 @cindex tracepoint actions
12207 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12208 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
12209 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
12210 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
12211 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
12212 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
12213 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
12214 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
12215 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
12216 @code{while-stepping}.
12217
12218 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
12219 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
12220 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
12221
12222 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
12223 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
12224 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
12225
12226 @smallexample
12227 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
12228
12229 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
12230
12231 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
12232 @end smallexample
12233
12234 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
12235 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
12236 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
12237 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
12238 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
12239 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
12240 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
12241 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
12242
12243 @smallexample
12244 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12245 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12246 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
12247 > collect bar,baz
12248 > collect $regs
12249 > while-stepping 12
12250 > collect $pc, arr[i]
12251 > end
12252 end
12253 @end smallexample
12254
12255 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
12256 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12257 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
12258 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
12259 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
12260 special arguments are supported:
12261
12262 @table @code
12263 @item $regs
12264 Collect all registers.
12265
12266 @item $args
12267 Collect all function arguments.
12268
12269 @item $locals
12270 Collect all local variables.
12271
12272 @item $_ret
12273 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
12274 of a backtrace.
12275
12276 @item $_probe_argc
12277 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
12278 tracepoint is located.
12279 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12280
12281 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
12282 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
12283 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
12284 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12285
12286 @item $_sdata
12287 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
12288 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
12289 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
12290 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
12291 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
12292 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
12293 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
12294 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
12295 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
12296
12297 @smallexample
12298 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
12299 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
12300 @end smallexample
12301
12302 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
12303 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
12304 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
12305 @value{GDBN}.
12306 @end table
12307
12308 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
12309 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
12310 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
12311
12312 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
12313 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
12314 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
12315 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
12316 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
12317 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
12318 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
12319 @samp{mystr}.
12320
12321 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
12322 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
12323
12324 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
12325 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12326 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
12327 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
12328 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
12329 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
12330 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
12331 action were used.
12332
12333 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
12334 @item while-stepping @var{n}
12335 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
12336 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
12337 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
12338 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
12339
12340 @smallexample
12341 > while-stepping 12
12342 > collect $regs, myglobal
12343 > end
12344 >
12345 @end smallexample
12346
12347 @noindent
12348 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
12349 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
12350 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
12351 @code{stepping}.
12352
12353 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12354 @kindex set default-collect
12355 @cindex default collection action
12356 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
12357 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
12358 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
12359 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
12360 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
12361 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
12362
12363 @item show default-collect
12364 @kindex show default-collect
12365 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
12366 tracepoint hit.
12367
12368 @end table
12369
12370 @node Listing Tracepoints
12371 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
12372
12373 @table @code
12374 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12375 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12376 @cindex information about tracepoints
12377 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
12378 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
12379 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
12380 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
12381 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
12382 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
12383
12384 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
12385 tracing:
12386
12387 @itemize @bullet
12388 @item
12389 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
12390
12391 @item
12392 the state about installed on target of each location
12393 @end itemize
12394
12395 @smallexample
12396 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
12397 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
12398 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
12399 while-stepping 20
12400 collect globfoo, $regs
12401 end
12402 collect globfoo2
12403 end
12404 pass count 1200
12405 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
12406 collect $eip
12407 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12408 installed on target
12409 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12410 installed on target
12411 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
12412 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
12413 not installed on target
12414 (@value{GDBP})
12415 @end smallexample
12416
12417 @noindent
12418 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
12419 @end table
12420
12421 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12422 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12423
12424 @table @code
12425 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
12426 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
12427 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
12428 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
12429 program.
12430
12431 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
12432
12433 @table @emph
12434 @item Count
12435 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
12436 stable identifier.
12437 @item ID
12438 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
12439 @item Enabled or Disabled
12440 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
12441 that are not enabled.
12442 @item Address
12443 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
12444 @item What
12445 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
12446 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
12447 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
12448 will be left blank.
12449 @end table
12450
12451 @noindent
12452 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
12453
12454 @table @emph
12455 @item Data
12456 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
12457 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
12458 marker call.
12459 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
12460 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
12461 @end table
12462
12463 @smallexample
12464 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12465 Cnt ID Enb Address What
12466 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
12467 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
12468 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
12469 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
12470 Data: str %s
12471 (@value{GDBP})
12472 @end smallexample
12473 @end table
12474
12475 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12476 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12477
12478 @table @code
12479 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
12480 @cindex start a new trace experiment
12481 @cindex collected data discarded
12482 @item tstart
12483 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12484 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12485 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12486 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12487 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12488 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12489 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12490 information, and so forth.
12491
12492 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12493 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
12494 @item tstop
12495 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12496 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12497 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12498 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12499 needs to be stopped quickly.
12500
12501 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12502 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12503 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12504
12505 @kindex tstatus
12506 @cindex status of trace data collection
12507 @cindex trace experiment, status of
12508 @item tstatus
12509 This command displays the status of the current trace data
12510 collection.
12511 @end table
12512
12513 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12514
12515 @smallexample
12516 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12517 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12518 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12519 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12520 > while-stepping 11
12521 > collect $regs
12522 > end
12523 > end
12524 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12525 [time passes @dots{}]
12526 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12527 @end smallexample
12528
12529 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12530 @cindex disconnected tracing
12531 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12532 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12533 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12534 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12535 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12536 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12537 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12538 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12539
12540 @table @code
12541 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12542 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12543 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12544 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12545 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12546 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12547 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12548 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12549
12550 @item show disconnected-tracing
12551 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12552 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12553
12554 @end table
12555
12556 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12557 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12558 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12559 it will continue after reconnection.
12560
12561 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12562 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12563 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12564 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12565 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12566 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12567 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12568 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12569 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12570 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12571
12572 @cindex circular trace buffer
12573 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12574 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12575 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12576 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12577 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12578 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12579 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12580 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12581 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12582 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12583 the next run.
12584
12585 @table @code
12586 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12587 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12588 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12589 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12590 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12591 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12592 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12593
12594 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12595 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12596 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12597 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12598 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12599 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12600
12601 @end table
12602
12603 @table @code
12604 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12605 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12606 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12607 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12608 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12609 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12610 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12611 likes. This is also the default.
12612
12613 @item show trace-buffer-size
12614 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12615 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12616 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12617 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12618 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12619 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12620 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12621 @end table
12622
12623 @table @code
12624 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12625 @kindex set trace-user
12626
12627 @item show trace-user
12628 @kindex show trace-user
12629
12630 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12631 @kindex set trace-notes
12632 Set the trace run's notes.
12633
12634 @item show trace-notes
12635 @kindex show trace-notes
12636 Show the trace run's notes.
12637
12638 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12639 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12640 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12641 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12642 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12643
12644 @item show trace-stop-notes
12645 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12646 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12647
12648 @end table
12649
12650 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
12651 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12652
12653 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
12654 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12655 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12656 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12657 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12658 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12659 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12660 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12661 mentioned here.
12662
12663 @itemize @bullet
12664
12665 @item
12666 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12667 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12668 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12669 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12670 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12671 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12672 cannot be collected either.
12673
12674 @item
12675 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12676 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12677 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12678 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12679 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12680 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12681 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12682 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12683 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12684 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12685
12686 @item
12687 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12688 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12689 in a misleading way.
12690
12691 @item
12692 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12693 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12694 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12695 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12696 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12697 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12698 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12699 by @code{ptr}.
12700
12701 @item
12702 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12703 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12704 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12705 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12706 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12707 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12708 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12709 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12710 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12711 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12712 invalid address.
12713
12714 @item
12715 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12716 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12717 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12718 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12719 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12720 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12721 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12722 it to zero.
12723
12724 @end itemize
12725
12726 @node Analyze Collected Data
12727 @section Using the Collected Data
12728
12729 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12730 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12731 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12732 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12733 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12734 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12735 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12736 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12737 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12738 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12739 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12740 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12741 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12742 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12743 the buffer will fail.
12744
12745 @menu
12746 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12747 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12748 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12749 @end menu
12750
12751 @node tfind
12752 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12753
12754 @kindex tfind
12755 @cindex select trace snapshot
12756 @cindex find trace snapshot
12757 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12758 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12759 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12760 snapshot is selected.
12761
12762 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12763
12764 @table @code
12765 @item tfind start
12766 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12767 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12768
12769 @item tfind none
12770 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12771
12772 @item tfind end
12773 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12774
12775 @item tfind
12776 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12777
12778 @item tfind -
12779 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12780 retracing earlier steps.
12781
12782 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12783 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12784 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12785 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12786 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12787
12788 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12789 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12790 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12791 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12792 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12793
12794 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12795 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12796 addresses (exclusive).
12797
12798 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12799 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12800 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12801
12802 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12803 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12804 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12805 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12806 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12807 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12808 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12809 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12810 @end table
12811
12812 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12813 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12814 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12815 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12816 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12817 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12818 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12819 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12820 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12821 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12822 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12823 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12824 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12825 tracepoint as the current one.
12826
12827 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12828 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12829 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12830 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12831 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12832
12833 @smallexample
12834 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12835 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12836 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12837 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12838 > tfind
12839 > end
12840
12841 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12842 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12843 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12844 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12845 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12846 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12847 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12848 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12849 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12850 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12851 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12852 @end smallexample
12853
12854 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12855 the buffer:
12856
12857 @smallexample
12858 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12859 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12860 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12861 > tfind line
12862 > end
12863
12864 Frame 0, X = 1
12865 Frame 7, X = 2
12866 Frame 13, X = 255
12867 @end smallexample
12868
12869 @node tdump
12870 @subsection @code{tdump}
12871 @kindex tdump
12872 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12873 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12874
12875 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12876 the current trace snapshot.
12877
12878 @smallexample
12879 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12880 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12881 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12882 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12883 > end
12884
12885 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12886
12887 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12888 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12889 at gdb_test.c:444
12890 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12891
12892 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12893 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12894 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12895 d1 0x18 24
12896 d2 0x80 128
12897 d3 0x33 51
12898 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12899 d5 0x22 34
12900 d6 0xe0 224
12901 d7 0x380035 3670069
12902 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12903 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12904 a2 0x100 256
12905 a3 0x322000 3284992
12906 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12907 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12908 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12909 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12910 ps 0x0 0
12911 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12912 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12913 fpstatus 0x0 0
12914 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12915 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12916 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12917 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12918 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12919 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12920 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12921 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12922 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12923
12924 (@value{GDBP})
12925 @end smallexample
12926
12927 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12928 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12929 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12930 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12931
12932 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12933 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12934 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12935 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12936 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12937 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12938 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12939 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12940 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12941 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12942
12943 @node save tracepoints
12944 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12945 @kindex save tracepoints
12946 @kindex save-tracepoints
12947 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12948
12949 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12950 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12951 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12952 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12953 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12954 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12955
12956 @node Tracepoint Variables
12957 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12958 @cindex tracepoint variables
12959 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12960
12961 @table @code
12962 @vindex $trace_frame
12963 @item (int) $trace_frame
12964 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12965 snapshot is selected.
12966
12967 @vindex $tracepoint
12968 @item (int) $tracepoint
12969 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12970
12971 @vindex $trace_line
12972 @item (int) $trace_line
12973 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12974
12975 @vindex $trace_file
12976 @item (char []) $trace_file
12977 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12978
12979 @vindex $trace_func
12980 @item (char []) $trace_func
12981 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12982 @end table
12983
12984 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12985 use @code{output} instead.
12986
12987 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12988 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12989 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12990 which are managed by the target.
12991
12992 @smallexample
12993 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12994
12995 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12996 > output $trace_file
12997 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12998 > tfind
12999 > end
13000 @end smallexample
13001
13002 @node Trace Files
13003 @section Using Trace Files
13004 @cindex trace files
13005
13006 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
13007 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
13008 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
13009 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
13010 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
13011
13012 @table @code
13013
13014 @kindex tsave
13015 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
13016 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
13017 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
13018 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
13019 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
13020 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
13021 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
13022 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
13023 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
13024 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
13025 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
13026 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
13027 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
13028 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
13029 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
13030
13031 @kindex target tfile
13032 @kindex tfile
13033 @kindex target ctf
13034 @kindex ctf
13035 @item target tfile @var{filename}
13036 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
13037 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
13038 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
13039 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
13040 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
13041 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
13042 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
13043 the host.
13044
13045 @smallexample
13046 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
13047 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
13048 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
13049 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
13050 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
13051 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
13052 i = 0
13053 a = 0
13054 b = 1 '\001'
13055 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
13056 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
13057 (@value{GDBP}) p b
13058 $1 = 1
13059 @end smallexample
13060
13061 @end table
13062
13063 @node Overlays
13064 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
13065 @cindex overlays
13066
13067 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
13068 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
13069 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
13070 use overlays.
13071
13072 @menu
13073 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
13074 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
13075 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
13076 mapped by asking the inferior.
13077 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
13078 @end menu
13079
13080 @node How Overlays Work
13081 @section How Overlays Work
13082 @cindex mapped overlays
13083 @cindex unmapped overlays
13084 @cindex load address, overlay's
13085 @cindex mapped address
13086 @cindex overlay area
13087
13088 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
13089 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
13090 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
13091 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
13092 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
13093
13094 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
13095 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
13096 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
13097 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
13098 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
13099 largest overlay as well.
13100
13101 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
13102 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
13103 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
13104 there.
13105
13106 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
13107 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
13108 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
13109
13110 @smallexample
13111 @group
13112 Data Instruction Larger
13113 Address Space Address Space Address Space
13114 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
13115 | | | | | |
13116 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
13117 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
13118 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
13119 | and heap | | | | | |
13120 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
13121 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
13122 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
13123 | | | | | |
13124 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
13125 address | | | | | |
13126 | overlay | <-' | | |
13127 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
13128 | | <---. | | load address
13129 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
13130 | | | |
13131 +-----------+ | |
13132 +-----------+
13133 | |
13134 +-----------+
13135
13136 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
13137 @end group
13138 @end smallexample
13139
13140 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
13141 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
13142 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
13143 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
13144 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
13145 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
13146 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
13147 program and the overlay area.
13148
13149 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
13150 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
13151 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
13152 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
13153 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
13154 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
13155 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
13156
13157 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
13158 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
13159 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
13160
13161 @itemize @bullet
13162
13163 @item
13164 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
13165 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
13166 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
13167 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
13168
13169 @item
13170 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
13171 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
13172 your program's performance.
13173
13174 @item
13175 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
13176 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
13177 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
13178 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
13179 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
13180 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
13181 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
13182
13183 @item
13184 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
13185 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
13186 instruction and data spaces.
13187
13188 @end itemize
13189
13190 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
13191 improved in many ways:
13192
13193 @itemize @bullet
13194
13195 @item
13196 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
13197 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
13198 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
13199 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
13200 area in the usual way.
13201
13202 @item
13203 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
13204 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
13205
13206 @item
13207 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
13208 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
13209 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
13210 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
13211 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
13212 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
13213 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
13214
13215 @end itemize
13216
13217
13218 @node Overlay Commands
13219 @section Overlay Commands
13220
13221 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
13222 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
13223 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
13224 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
13225 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
13226 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
13227
13228 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
13229 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
13230
13231 @table @code
13232 @item overlay off
13233 @kindex overlay
13234 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
13235 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
13236 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
13237 overlay support is disabled.
13238
13239 @item overlay manual
13240 @cindex manual overlay debugging
13241 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13242 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
13243 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
13244 commands described below.
13245
13246 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
13247 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
13248 @cindex map an overlay
13249 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
13250 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
13251 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
13252 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
13253 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
13254 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
13255
13256 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
13257 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
13258 @cindex unmap an overlay
13259 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
13260 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
13261 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
13262 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
13263
13264 @item overlay auto
13265 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13266 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
13267 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
13268 Overlay Debugging}.
13269
13270 @item overlay load-target
13271 @itemx overlay load
13272 @cindex reloading the overlay table
13273 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
13274 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
13275 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
13276 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
13277 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
13278
13279 @item overlay list-overlays
13280 @itemx overlay list
13281 @cindex listing mapped overlays
13282 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
13283 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
13284
13285 @end table
13286
13287 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
13288 of the function the address falls in:
13289
13290 @smallexample
13291 (@value{GDBP}) print main
13292 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
13293 @end smallexample
13294 @noindent
13295 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
13296 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
13297 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
13298 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
13299
13300 @smallexample
13301 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13302 No sections are mapped.
13303 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13304 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
13305 @end smallexample
13306 @noindent
13307 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
13308 name normally:
13309
13310 @smallexample
13311 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13312 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
13313 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
13314 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13315 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
13316 @end smallexample
13317
13318 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
13319 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
13320 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
13321 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
13322 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
13323
13324 @itemize @bullet
13325 @item
13326 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
13327 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
13328 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
13329 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
13330 @item
13331 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
13332 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
13333 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
13334 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
13335 breakpoints properly.
13336 @end itemize
13337
13338
13339 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
13340 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
13341 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
13342
13343 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
13344 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
13345 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
13346 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
13347 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
13348 current state of the overlays.
13349
13350 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
13351 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
13352
13353 @table @asis
13354
13355 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
13356 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
13357
13358 @smallexample
13359 struct
13360 @{
13361 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
13362 unsigned long vma;
13363
13364 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
13365 unsigned long size;
13366
13367 /* The overlay's load address. */
13368 unsigned long lma;
13369
13370 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
13371 zero otherwise. */
13372 unsigned long mapped;
13373 @}
13374 @end smallexample
13375
13376 @item @code{_novlys}:
13377 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
13378 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
13379
13380 @end table
13381
13382 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
13383 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
13384 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
13385 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
13386 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
13387 currently mapped.
13388
13389 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
13390 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
13391 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
13392 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
13393 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
13394 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
13395 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
13396 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
13397 are not being executed.
13398
13399 @node Overlay Sample Program
13400 @section Overlay Sample Program
13401 @cindex overlay example program
13402
13403 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
13404 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
13405 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
13406 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
13407 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
13408 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
13409 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
13410
13411 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
13412 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
13413 suite. The program consists of the following files from
13414 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
13415
13416 @table @file
13417 @item overlays.c
13418 The main program file.
13419 @item ovlymgr.c
13420 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
13421 @item foo.c
13422 @itemx bar.c
13423 @itemx baz.c
13424 @itemx grbx.c
13425 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
13426 @item d10v.ld
13427 @itemx m32r.ld
13428 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
13429 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
13430 @end table
13431
13432 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
13433 cross-compiler like this:
13434
13435 @smallexample
13436 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
13437 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
13438 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
13439 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
13440 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
13441 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
13442 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
13443 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
13444 @end smallexample
13445
13446 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
13447 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
13448 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
13449
13450
13451 @node Languages
13452 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
13453 @cindex languages
13454
13455 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
13456 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
13457 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
13458 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
13459 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
13460 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
13461
13462 @cindex working language
13463 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
13464 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
13465 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
13466 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
13467 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
13468 language}.
13469
13470 @menu
13471 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
13472 * Show:: Displaying the language
13473 * Checks:: Type and range checks
13474 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
13475 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
13476 @end menu
13477
13478 @node Setting
13479 @section Switching Between Source Languages
13480
13481 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13482 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13483 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13484 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13485 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13486 are printed, etc.
13487
13488 In addition to the working language, every source file that
13489 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13490 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13491 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13492 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13493 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13494 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13495 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13496 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13497 Displaying the Language}.
13498
13499 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13500 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13501 another language. In that case, make the
13502 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13503 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13504 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13505
13506 @menu
13507 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13508 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13509 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13510 @end menu
13511
13512 @node Filenames
13513 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13514
13515 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13516 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13517
13518 @table @file
13519 @item .ada
13520 @itemx .ads
13521 @itemx .adb
13522 @itemx .a
13523 Ada source file.
13524
13525 @item .c
13526 C source file
13527
13528 @item .C
13529 @itemx .cc
13530 @itemx .cp
13531 @itemx .cpp
13532 @itemx .cxx
13533 @itemx .c++
13534 C@t{++} source file
13535
13536 @item .d
13537 D source file
13538
13539 @item .m
13540 Objective-C source file
13541
13542 @item .f
13543 @itemx .F
13544 Fortran source file
13545
13546 @item .mod
13547 Modula-2 source file
13548
13549 @item .s
13550 @itemx .S
13551 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13552 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13553 @end table
13554
13555 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13556 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13557
13558 @node Manually
13559 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13560
13561 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13562 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13563 your program.
13564
13565 @kindex set language
13566 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13567 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13568 a language, such as
13569 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13570 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13571
13572 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13573 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13574 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13575 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13576 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13577 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13578 command such as:
13579
13580 @smallexample
13581 print a = b + c
13582 @end smallexample
13583
13584 @noindent
13585 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13586 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13587 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13588 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13589
13590 @node Automatically
13591 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13592
13593 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13594 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13595 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13596 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13597 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13598 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13599 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13600 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13601 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13602
13603 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13604 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13605 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13606 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13607 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13608
13609 @node Show
13610 @section Displaying the Language
13611
13612 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13613 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13614
13615 @table @code
13616 @item show language
13617 @anchor{show language}
13618 @kindex show language
13619 Display the current working language. This is the
13620 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13621 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13622
13623 @item info frame
13624 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13625 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13626 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13627 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13628 information listed here.
13629
13630 @item info source
13631 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13632 Display the source language of this source file.
13633 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13634 information listed here.
13635 @end table
13636
13637 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13638 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13639 with a language explicitly:
13640
13641 @table @code
13642 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13643 @kindex set extension-language
13644 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13645 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13646
13647 @item info extensions
13648 @kindex info extensions
13649 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13650 @end table
13651
13652 @node Checks
13653 @section Type and Range Checking
13654
13655 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13656 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13657 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13658 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13659 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13660 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13661 errors when your program is running.
13662
13663 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13664 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13665 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13666 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13667
13668 @menu
13669 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13670 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13671 @end menu
13672
13673 @cindex type checking
13674 @cindex checks, type
13675 @node Type Checking
13676 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13677
13678 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13679 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13680 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13681 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13682
13683 @smallexample
13684 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13685
13686 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13687 $1 = 2
13688 @exdent but
13689 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13690 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13691 @end smallexample
13692
13693 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13694 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13695
13696 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13697 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13698 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13699 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13700 expressions like the second example above.
13701
13702 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13703 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13704 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13705 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13706 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13707 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13708
13709 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13710
13711 @kindex set check type
13712 @kindex show check type
13713 @table @code
13714 @item set check type on
13715 @itemx set check type off
13716 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13717 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13718 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13719
13720 @item show check type
13721 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13722 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13723 @end table
13724
13725 @cindex range checking
13726 @cindex checks, range
13727 @node Range Checking
13728 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13729
13730 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13731 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13732 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13733 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13734 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13735
13736 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13737 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13738 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13739 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13740
13741 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13742 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13743 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13744 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13745 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13746 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13747
13748 @smallexample
13749 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13750 @end smallexample
13751
13752 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13753 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13754 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13755
13756 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13757
13758 @kindex set check range
13759 @kindex show check range
13760 @table @code
13761 @item set check range auto
13762 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13763 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13764 each language.
13765
13766 @item set check range on
13767 @itemx set check range off
13768 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13769 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13770 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13771 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13772
13773 @item set check range warn
13774 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13775 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13776 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13777 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13778 systems).
13779
13780 @item show range
13781 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13782 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13783 @end table
13784
13785 @node Supported Languages
13786 @section Supported Languages
13787
13788 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13789 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13790 @c This is false ...
13791 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13792 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13793 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13794 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13795 language.
13796
13797 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13798 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13799 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13800 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13801 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13802 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13803 language reference or tutorial.
13804
13805 @menu
13806 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13807 * D:: D
13808 * Go:: Go
13809 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13810 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13811 * Fortran:: Fortran
13812 * Pascal:: Pascal
13813 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13814 * Ada:: Ada
13815 @end menu
13816
13817 @node C
13818 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13819
13820 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13821 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13822
13823 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13824 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13825 together.
13826
13827 @cindex C@t{++}
13828 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13829 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13830 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13831 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13832 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13833 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13834 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13835
13836 @menu
13837 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13838 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13839 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13840 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13841 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13842 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13843 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13844 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13845 @end menu
13846
13847 @node C Operators
13848 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13849
13850 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13851
13852 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13853 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13854 often defined on groups of types.
13855
13856 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13857
13858 @itemize @bullet
13859
13860 @item
13861 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13862 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13863
13864 @item
13865 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13866 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13867
13868 @item
13869 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13870
13871 @item
13872 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13873
13874 @end itemize
13875
13876 @noindent
13877 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13878 in order of increasing precedence:
13879
13880 @table @code
13881 @item ,
13882 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13883 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13884 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13885
13886 @item =
13887 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13888 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13889
13890 @item @var{op}=
13891 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13892 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13893 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
13894 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13895 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13896
13897 @item ?:
13898 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13899 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
13900 should be of an integral type.
13901
13902 @item ||
13903 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13904
13905 @item &&
13906 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13907
13908 @item |
13909 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13910
13911 @item ^
13912 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13913
13914 @item &
13915 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13916
13917 @item ==@r{, }!=
13918 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13919 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13920
13921 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13922 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13923 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13924 and non-zero for true.
13925
13926 @item <<@r{, }>>
13927 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13928
13929 @item @@
13930 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13931
13932 @item +@r{, }-
13933 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13934 pointer types.
13935
13936 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13937 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13938 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13939 integral types.
13940
13941 @item ++@r{, }--
13942 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13943 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13944 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13945 operation takes place.
13946
13947 @item *
13948 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13949 @code{++}.
13950
13951 @item &
13952 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13953
13954 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13955 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13956 to examine the address
13957 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13958 stored.
13959
13960 @item -
13961 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13962 precedence as @code{++}.
13963
13964 @item !
13965 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13966 @code{++}.
13967
13968 @item ~
13969 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13970 @code{++}.
13971
13972
13973 @item .@r{, }->
13974 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13975 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13976 pointer based on the stored type information.
13977 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13978
13979 @item .*@r{, }->*
13980 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13981
13982 @item []
13983 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13984 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13985
13986 @item ()
13987 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13988
13989 @item ::
13990 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13991 and @code{class} types.
13992
13993 @item ::
13994 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13995 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13996 above.
13997 @end table
13998
13999 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
14000 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
14001 predefined meaning.
14002
14003 @node C Constants
14004 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
14005
14006 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
14007
14008 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
14009 following ways:
14010
14011 @itemize @bullet
14012 @item
14013 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
14014 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
14015 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
14016 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
14017 @code{long} value.
14018
14019 @item
14020 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
14021 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
14022 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
14023 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
14024 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
14025 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
14026 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
14027 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
14028 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
14029 constant.
14030
14031 @item
14032 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
14033 integral equivalents.
14034
14035 @item
14036 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
14037 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
14038 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
14039 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
14040 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
14041 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
14042 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
14043 @samp{\n} for newline.
14044
14045 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
14046 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
14047 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
14048 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14049
14050 @item
14051 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
14052 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
14053 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
14054 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
14055 characters.
14056
14057 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
14058 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
14059 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14060
14061 @item
14062 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
14063 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
14064
14065 @item
14066 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
14067 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
14068 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
14069 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
14070 @end itemize
14071
14072 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
14073 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
14074
14075 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
14076 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
14077
14078 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
14079 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
14080 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
14081 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
14082 @quotation
14083 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
14084 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
14085 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
14086 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
14087 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
14088 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
14089 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
14090 code. @xref{Compilation}.
14091 @end quotation
14092
14093 @enumerate
14094
14095 @cindex member functions
14096 @item
14097 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
14098
14099 @smallexample
14100 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
14101 @end smallexample
14102
14103 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
14104 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
14105 @item
14106 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
14107 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
14108 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
14109 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
14110 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
14111
14112 @cindex call overloaded functions
14113 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
14114 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
14115 @item
14116 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
14117 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
14118 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
14119 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
14120 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
14121 default arguments.
14122
14123 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
14124 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
14125 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
14126 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
14127 number of function arguments.
14128
14129 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
14130 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
14131 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
14132
14133 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
14134 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
14135 @smallexample
14136 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
14137 @end smallexample
14138
14139 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
14140 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
14141
14142 @cindex reference declarations
14143 @item
14144 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
14145 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
14146 dereferenced.
14147
14148 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
14149 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
14150 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
14151 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
14152 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
14153
14154 @item
14155 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
14156 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
14157 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
14158 necessary, for example in an expression like
14159 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
14160 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
14161 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
14162
14163 @item
14164 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
14165 specification.
14166 @end enumerate
14167
14168 @node C Defaults
14169 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
14170
14171 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
14172
14173 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
14174 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
14175 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14176 selects the working language.
14177
14178 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
14179 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
14180 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
14181 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
14182 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
14183 for further details.
14184
14185 @node C Checks
14186 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
14187
14188 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
14189
14190 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
14191 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
14192 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
14193 constants to pointers.
14194
14195 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
14196 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
14197 that is not itself an array.
14198
14199 @node Debugging C
14200 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
14201
14202 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
14203 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
14204 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
14205 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
14206
14207 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
14208 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
14209 ,Expressions}.
14210
14211 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
14212 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
14213
14214 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
14215
14216 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
14217 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
14218
14219 @table @code
14220 @cindex break in overloaded functions
14221 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
14222 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
14223 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
14224 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
14225 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
14226
14227 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
14228 @item rbreak @var{regex}
14229 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
14230 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
14231 classes.
14232 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14233
14234 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
14235 @item catch throw
14236 @itemx catch rethrow
14237 @itemx catch catch
14238 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
14239 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
14240
14241 @cindex inheritance
14242 @item ptype @var{typename}
14243 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
14244 @var{typename}.
14245 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
14246
14247 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
14248 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
14249 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
14250 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
14251 multiple inheritance is in use.
14252
14253 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
14254 @item demangle @var{name}
14255 Demangle @var{name}.
14256 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
14257
14258 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
14259 @item set print demangle
14260 @itemx show print demangle
14261 @itemx set print asm-demangle
14262 @itemx show print asm-demangle
14263 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
14264 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
14265 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14266
14267 @item set print object
14268 @itemx show print object
14269 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
14270 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14271
14272 @item set print vtbl
14273 @itemx show print vtbl
14274 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
14275 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14276 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
14277 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
14278
14279 @kindex set overload-resolution
14280 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
14281 @item set overload-resolution on
14282 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
14283 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
14284 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
14285 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
14286 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
14287 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
14288
14289 @item set overload-resolution off
14290 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
14291 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14292 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
14293 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
14294 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14295 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
14296 argument types.
14297
14298 @kindex show overload-resolution
14299 @item show overload-resolution
14300 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
14301
14302 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
14303 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
14304 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
14305 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
14306 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
14307 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
14308 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
14309 @end table
14310
14311 @node Decimal Floating Point
14312 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
14313 @cindex decimal floating point format
14314
14315 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
14316 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
14317 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
14318 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
14319
14320 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
14321 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
14322 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
14323 configured target.
14324
14325 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
14326 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
14327 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
14328
14329 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
14330 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
14331 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
14332
14333 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
14334 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
14335 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
14336
14337 @node D
14338 @subsection D
14339
14340 @cindex D
14341 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
14342 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
14343 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
14344
14345 @node Go
14346 @subsection Go
14347
14348 @cindex Go (programming language)
14349 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
14350 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
14351
14352 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
14353
14354 @table @code
14355 @cindex current Go package
14356 @item The current Go package
14357 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
14358 specifying global variables and functions.
14359
14360 For example, given the program:
14361
14362 @example
14363 package main
14364 var myglob = "Shall we?"
14365 func main () @{
14366 // ...
14367 @}
14368 @end example
14369
14370 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
14371
14372 @example
14373 (gdb) p myglob
14374 (gdb) p main.myglob
14375 @end example
14376
14377 @cindex builtin Go types
14378 @item Builtin Go types
14379 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
14380 as a string.
14381
14382 @cindex builtin Go functions
14383 @item Builtin Go functions
14384 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
14385 function and handles it internally.
14386
14387 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
14388 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
14389 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
14390 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
14391 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
14392 @end table
14393
14394 @node Objective-C
14395 @subsection Objective-C
14396
14397 @cindex Objective-C
14398 This section provides information about some commands and command
14399 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
14400 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
14401 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
14402
14403 @menu
14404 * Method Names in Commands::
14405 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
14406 @end menu
14407
14408 @node Method Names in Commands
14409 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
14410
14411 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
14412 names as line specifications:
14413
14414 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
14415 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
14416 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
14417 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
14418 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
14419 @itemize
14420 @item @code{clear}
14421 @item @code{break}
14422 @item @code{info line}
14423 @item @code{jump}
14424 @item @code{list}
14425 @end itemize
14426
14427 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
14428
14429 @smallexample
14430 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
14431 @end smallexample
14432
14433 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
14434 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
14435 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
14436 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
14437 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
14438 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
14439 debugged, enter:
14440
14441 @smallexample
14442 break -[Fruit create]
14443 @end smallexample
14444
14445 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
14446 enter:
14447
14448 @smallexample
14449 list +[NSText initialize]
14450 @end smallexample
14451
14452 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
14453 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
14454 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
14455 is also possible to specify just a method name:
14456
14457 @smallexample
14458 break create
14459 @end smallexample
14460
14461 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
14462 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
14463 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
14464 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
14465 none apply.
14466
14467 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
14468 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
14469
14470 @smallexample
14471 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
14472 @end smallexample
14473
14474 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
14475 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
14476 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
14477 @kindex print-object
14478 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
14479
14480 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
14481
14482 @smallexample
14483 print -[@var{object} hash]
14484 @end smallexample
14485
14486 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
14487 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14488 @noindent
14489 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14490 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14491 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14492 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14493 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14494 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14495
14496 @node OpenCL C
14497 @subsection OpenCL C
14498
14499 @cindex OpenCL C
14500 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14501
14502 @menu
14503 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
14504 * OpenCL C Expressions::
14505 * OpenCL C Operators::
14506 @end menu
14507
14508 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
14509 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14510
14511 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14512 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14513 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14514 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14515 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14516
14517 @node OpenCL C Expressions
14518 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14519
14520 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14521 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14522 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14523 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14524
14525 @node OpenCL C Operators
14526 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14527
14528 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14529 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14530 vector data types.
14531
14532 @node Fortran
14533 @subsection Fortran
14534 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14535
14536 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14537 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14538
14539 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14540 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14541 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14542 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14543 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14544 underscore.
14545
14546 @menu
14547 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14548 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14549 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14550 @end menu
14551
14552 @node Fortran Operators
14553 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14554
14555 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14556
14557 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14558 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14559 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14560
14561 @table @code
14562 @item **
14563 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14564 of the second one.
14565
14566 @item :
14567 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14568 represent a section of array.
14569
14570 @item %
14571 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14572 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14573 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14574 union type.
14575 @end table
14576
14577 @node Fortran Defaults
14578 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14579
14580 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14581
14582 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14583 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14584 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14585 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14586
14587 @node Special Fortran Commands
14588 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14589
14590 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14591
14592 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14593 such as displaying common blocks.
14594
14595 @table @code
14596 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14597 @kindex info common
14598 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14599 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14600 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14601 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14602 printed.
14603 @end table
14604
14605 @node Pascal
14606 @subsection Pascal
14607
14608 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14609 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14610 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14611 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14612 syntax.
14613
14614 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14615 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14616 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14617
14618 @node Modula-2
14619 @subsection Modula-2
14620
14621 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14622
14623 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14624 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14625 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14626 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14627 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14628 table.
14629
14630 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14631 @menu
14632 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14633 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14634 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14635 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14636 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14637 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14638 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14639 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14640 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14641 @end menu
14642
14643 @node M2 Operators
14644 @subsubsection Operators
14645 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14646
14647 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14648 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14649 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14650 following definitions hold:
14651
14652 @itemize @bullet
14653
14654 @item
14655 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14656 their subranges.
14657
14658 @item
14659 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14660
14661 @item
14662 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14663
14664 @item
14665 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14666 @var{type}}.
14667
14668 @item
14669 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14670
14671 @item
14672 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14673
14674 @item
14675 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14676 @end itemize
14677
14678 @noindent
14679 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14680 increasing precedence:
14681
14682 @table @code
14683 @item ,
14684 Function argument or array index separator.
14685
14686 @item :=
14687 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14688 @var{value}.
14689
14690 @item <@r{, }>
14691 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14692 types.
14693
14694 @item <=@r{, }>=
14695 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14696 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14697 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14698
14699 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14700 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14701 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14702 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14703 comment character.
14704
14705 @item IN
14706 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14707 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14708
14709 @item OR
14710 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14711
14712 @item AND@r{, }&
14713 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14714
14715 @item @@
14716 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14717
14718 @item +@r{, }-
14719 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14720 and difference on set types.
14721
14722 @item *
14723 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14724 on set types.
14725
14726 @item /
14727 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14728 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14729
14730 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14731 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14732 precedence as @code{*}.
14733
14734 @item -
14735 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14736
14737 @item ^
14738 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14739
14740 @item NOT
14741 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14742 @code{^}.
14743
14744 @item .
14745 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14746 precedence as @code{^}.
14747
14748 @item []
14749 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14750
14751 @item ()
14752 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14753 as @code{^}.
14754
14755 @item ::@r{, }.
14756 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14757 @end table
14758
14759 @quotation
14760 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14761 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14762 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14763 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14764 @end quotation
14765
14766
14767 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14768 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14769 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14770
14771 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14772 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14773
14774 @table @var
14775
14776 @item a
14777 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14778
14779 @item c
14780 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14781
14782 @item i
14783 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14784
14785 @item m
14786 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14787 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14788 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14789
14790 @item n
14791 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14792
14793 @item r
14794 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14795
14796 @item t
14797 represents a type.
14798
14799 @item v
14800 represents a variable.
14801
14802 @item x
14803 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14804 explanation of the function for details.
14805 @end table
14806
14807 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14808
14809 @table @code
14810 @item ABS(@var{n})
14811 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14812
14813 @item CAP(@var{c})
14814 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14815 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14816
14817 @item CHR(@var{i})
14818 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14819
14820 @item DEC(@var{v})
14821 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14822
14823 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14824 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14825 new value.
14826
14827 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14828 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14829 set.
14830
14831 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14832 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14833
14834 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14835 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14836
14837 @item INC(@var{v})
14838 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14839
14840 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14841 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14842 new value.
14843
14844 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14845 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14846 there. Returns the new set.
14847
14848 @item MAX(@var{t})
14849 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14850
14851 @item MIN(@var{t})
14852 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14853
14854 @item ODD(@var{i})
14855 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14856
14857 @item ORD(@var{x})
14858 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14859 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
14860 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
14861 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
14862
14863 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14864 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
14865 variable or a type.
14866
14867 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14868 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14869
14870 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14871 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
14872 variable or a type.
14873
14874 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14875 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14876 @end table
14877
14878 @quotation
14879 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14880 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14881 an error.
14882 @end quotation
14883
14884 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14885 @node M2 Constants
14886 @subsubsection Constants
14887
14888 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14889 ways:
14890
14891 @itemize @bullet
14892
14893 @item
14894 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14895 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14896 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14897 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14898
14899 @item
14900 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14901 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14902 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14903 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14904 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14905 digits.
14906
14907 @item
14908 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14909 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14910 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14911 followed by a @samp{C}.
14912
14913 @item
14914 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14915 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14916 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14917 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14918 sequences.
14919
14920 @item
14921 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14922
14923 @item
14924 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14925 @code{FALSE}.
14926
14927 @item
14928 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14929
14930 @item
14931 Set constants are not yet supported.
14932 @end itemize
14933
14934 @node M2 Types
14935 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14936 @cindex Modula-2 types
14937
14938 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14939 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14940 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14941 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14942 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14943 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14944
14945 The first example contains the following section of code:
14946
14947 @smallexample
14948 VAR
14949 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14950 r: [20..40] ;
14951 @end smallexample
14952
14953 @noindent
14954 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14955 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14956
14957 @smallexample
14958 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14959 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14960 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14961 SET OF CHAR
14962 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14963 21
14964 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14965 [20..40]
14966 @end smallexample
14967
14968 @noindent
14969 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14970
14971 @smallexample
14972 VAR
14973 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14974 @end smallexample
14975
14976 @noindent
14977 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14978
14979 @smallexample
14980 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14981 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14982 @end smallexample
14983
14984 @noindent
14985 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14986 expressions using the debugger.
14987
14988 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14989 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14990
14991 @smallexample
14992 VAR
14993 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14994 @end smallexample
14995
14996 @smallexample
14997 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14998 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14999 @end smallexample
15000
15001 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
15002 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
15003 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
15004 above.
15005
15006 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
15007
15008 @smallexample
15009 TYPE
15010 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
15011 t = [blue..yellow] ;
15012 VAR
15013 s: t ;
15014 BEGIN
15015 s := blue ;
15016 @end smallexample
15017
15018 @noindent
15019 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
15020 and value of a variable.
15021
15022 @smallexample
15023 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15024 $1 = blue
15025 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
15026 type = [blue..yellow]
15027 @end smallexample
15028
15029 @noindent
15030 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
15031 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
15032 their @code{C} counterparts.
15033
15034 @smallexample
15035 VAR
15036 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15037 BEGIN
15038 s[1] := 1 ;
15039 @end smallexample
15040
15041 @smallexample
15042 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15043 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
15044 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15045 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15046 @end smallexample
15047
15048 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
15049 pointer types as shown in this example:
15050
15051 @smallexample
15052 VAR
15053 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15054 BEGIN
15055 NEW(s) ;
15056 s^[1] := 1 ;
15057 @end smallexample
15058
15059 @noindent
15060 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
15061
15062 @smallexample
15063 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15064 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15065 @end smallexample
15066
15067 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
15068 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
15069 types:
15070
15071 @smallexample
15072 TYPE
15073 foo = RECORD
15074 f1: CARDINAL ;
15075 f2: CHAR ;
15076 f3: myarray ;
15077 END ;
15078
15079 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
15080 myrange = [-2..2] ;
15081 VAR
15082 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
15083 @end smallexample
15084
15085 @noindent
15086 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
15087 below.
15088
15089 @smallexample
15090 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15091 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
15092 f1 : CARDINAL;
15093 f2 : CHAR;
15094 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
15095 END
15096 @end smallexample
15097
15098 @node M2 Defaults
15099 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
15100 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
15101
15102 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
15103 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
15104 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15105 selected the working language.
15106
15107 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
15108 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
15109 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
15110 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
15111
15112 @node Deviations
15113 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
15114 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
15115
15116 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
15117 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
15118
15119 @itemize @bullet
15120 @item
15121 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
15122 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
15123 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
15124 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
15125 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
15126 returned a pointer.)
15127
15128 @item
15129 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
15130 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
15131 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
15132 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
15133
15134 @item
15135 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
15136 argument.
15137
15138 @item
15139 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
15140 @end itemize
15141
15142 @node M2 Checks
15143 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
15144 @cindex Modula-2 checks
15145
15146 @quotation
15147 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
15148 range checking.
15149 @end quotation
15150 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
15151
15152 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
15153
15154 @itemize @bullet
15155 @item
15156 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
15157 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
15158
15159 @item
15160 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
15161 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
15162 @end itemize
15163
15164 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
15165 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
15166
15167 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
15168 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
15169
15170 @node M2 Scope
15171 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15172 @cindex scope
15173 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
15174 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
15175 @ifinfo
15176 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
15177 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
15178 @end ifinfo
15179 @ifnotinfo
15180 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
15181 @end ifnotinfo
15182
15183 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
15184 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
15185 similar syntax:
15186
15187 @smallexample
15188
15189 @var{module} . @var{id}
15190 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
15191 @end smallexample
15192
15193 @noindent
15194 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
15195 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
15196 identifier within your program, except another module.
15197
15198 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
15199 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
15200 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
15201 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
15202
15203 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
15204 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
15205 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
15206 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
15207 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
15208 @var{module}.
15209
15210 @node GDB/M2
15211 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15212
15213 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
15214 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
15215 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
15216 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
15217 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
15218 analogue in Modula-2.
15219
15220 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
15221 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
15222 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
15223 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
15224 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
15225 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
15226
15227 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
15228 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
15229 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
15230
15231 @node Ada
15232 @subsection Ada
15233 @cindex Ada
15234
15235 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
15236 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
15237 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
15238 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15239 to be difficult.
15240
15241
15242 @cindex expressions in Ada
15243 @menu
15244 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
15245 and semantics supported by Ada mode
15246 in @value{GDBN}.
15247 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
15248 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
15249 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
15250 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
15251 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
15252 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15253 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
15254 Profile
15255 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
15256 @end menu
15257
15258 @node Ada Mode Intro
15259 @subsubsection Introduction
15260 @cindex Ada mode, general
15261
15262 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
15263 syntax, with some extensions.
15264 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
15265
15266 @itemize @bullet
15267 @item
15268 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
15269 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
15270 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
15271 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
15272
15273 @item
15274 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
15275 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15276
15277 @item
15278 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15279 @end itemize
15280
15281 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
15282 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
15283 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
15284 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
15285 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
15286
15287 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
15288 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
15289 was translated from an Ada source file.
15290
15291 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
15292 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
15293 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
15294 middle (to allow based literals).
15295
15296 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
15297 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
15298 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
15299 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
15300 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
15301 functions to procedures elsewhere.
15302
15303 @node Omissions from Ada
15304 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
15305 @cindex Ada, omissions from
15306
15307 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
15308
15309 @itemize @bullet
15310 @item
15311 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
15312
15313 @itemize @minus
15314 @item
15315 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
15316 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
15317
15318 @item
15319 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
15320
15321 @item
15322 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
15323
15324 @item
15325 @t{'Tag}.
15326
15327 @item
15328 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
15329 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
15330
15331 @item
15332 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
15333 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
15334
15335 @item
15336 @t{'Address}.
15337 @end itemize
15338
15339 @item
15340 The names in
15341 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
15342 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
15343 not currently available.
15344
15345 @item
15346 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
15347 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
15348 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
15349 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
15350 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
15351 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
15352 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
15353 indeterminate values.
15354
15355 @item
15356 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
15357 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
15358 are not implemented.
15359
15360 @item
15361 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
15362 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
15363 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
15364 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
15365 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
15366
15367 @smallexample
15368 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
15369 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
15370 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
15371 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
15372 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
15373 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
15374 @end smallexample
15375
15376 Changing a
15377 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
15378 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
15379 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
15380 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
15381 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
15382 declared to have a type such as:
15383
15384 @smallexample
15385 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
15386 Id : Integer;
15387 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
15388 end record;
15389 @end smallexample
15390
15391 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
15392 assignments:
15393
15394 @smallexample
15395 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
15396 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
15397 @end smallexample
15398
15399 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
15400 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
15401 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
15402 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
15403 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
15404 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
15405 redundant component associations, although which component values are
15406 assigned in such cases is not defined.
15407
15408 @item
15409 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
15410
15411 @item
15412 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
15413 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
15414 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
15415 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
15416 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
15417 the proper resolution.
15418
15419 @item
15420 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
15421
15422 @item
15423 Entry calls are not implemented.
15424
15425 @item
15426 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
15427 formats are not supported.
15428
15429 @item
15430 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
15431
15432 @item
15433 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
15434 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
15435 context.
15436 Should your program
15437 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
15438 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
15439 @end itemize
15440
15441 @node Additions to Ada
15442 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
15443 @cindex Ada, deviations from
15444
15445 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
15446 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
15447
15448 @itemize @bullet
15449 @item
15450 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
15451 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
15452 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
15453 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
15454 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
15455 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
15456 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
15457 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
15458
15459 @item
15460 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
15461 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
15462 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
15463
15464 @item
15465 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
15466 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
15467
15468 @item
15469 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
15470 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
15471 @end itemize
15472
15473 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
15474 additions specific to Ada:
15475
15476 @itemize @bullet
15477 @item
15478 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
15479 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
15480
15481 @smallexample
15482 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
15483 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
15484 @end smallexample
15485
15486 @item
15487 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
15488 the value of its right-hand operand.
15489 This allows, for example,
15490 complex conditional breaks:
15491
15492 @smallexample
15493 (@value{GDBP}) break f
15494 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15495 @end smallexample
15496
15497 @item
15498 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15499 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15500 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15501 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15502 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15503 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15504 in strings. For example,
15505 @smallexample
15506 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15507 @end smallexample
15508 @noindent
15509 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15510 after each period.
15511
15512 @item
15513 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15514 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15515 to write
15516
15517 @smallexample
15518 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15519 @end smallexample
15520
15521 @item
15522 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15523 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15524 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15525 of 3 might print as
15526
15527 @smallexample
15528 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15529 @end smallexample
15530
15531 @noindent
15532 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15533 clause.
15534
15535 @item
15536 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15537 multi-character subsequence of
15538 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15539 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15540 in place of @t{a'length}.
15541
15542 @item
15543 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15544 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15545 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15546 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15547 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15548 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15549 For example,
15550 @smallexample
15551 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15552 @end smallexample
15553
15554 @item
15555 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15556 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15557 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15558 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15559 object.
15560
15561 @end itemize
15562
15563 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15564 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15565
15566 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15567 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15568 before reaching the main procedure.
15569 As defined in the Ada Reference
15570 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15571 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15572 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15573 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15574
15575 @node Ada Exceptions
15576 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
15577
15578 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
15579
15580 @table @code
15581 @kindex info exceptions
15582 @item info exceptions
15583 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
15584 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
15585 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
15586 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
15587 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
15588 @end table
15589
15590 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
15591 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
15592 argument.
15593
15594 @smallexample
15595 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
15596 All defined Ada exceptions:
15597 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15598 program_error: 0x613d20
15599 storage_error: 0x613ce0
15600 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
15601 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15602 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
15603 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
15604 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15605 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15606 @end smallexample
15607
15608 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
15609 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
15610
15611 @node Ada Tasks
15612 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15613 @cindex Ada, tasking
15614
15615 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15616 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15617
15618 @table @code
15619 @kindex info tasks
15620 @item info tasks
15621 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15622
15623
15624 @smallexample
15625 @iftex
15626 @leftskip=0.5cm
15627 @end iftex
15628 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15629 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15630 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15631 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15632 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15633 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15634
15635 @end smallexample
15636
15637 @noindent
15638 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15639 task currently being inspected.
15640
15641 @table @asis
15642 @item ID
15643 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15644
15645 @item TID
15646 The Ada task ID.
15647
15648 @item P-ID
15649 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15650
15651 @item Pri
15652 The base priority of the task.
15653
15654 @item State
15655 Current state of the task.
15656
15657 @table @code
15658 @item Unactivated
15659 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15660 executing.
15661
15662 @item Runnable
15663 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15664 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15665
15666 @item Terminated
15667 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15668 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15669 terminated themselves.
15670
15671 @item Child Activation Wait
15672 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15673
15674 @item Accept Statement
15675 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15676
15677 @item Waiting on entry call
15678 The task is waiting on an entry call.
15679
15680 @item Async Select Wait
15681 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15682 select statement.
15683
15684 @item Delay Sleep
15685 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15686 alternative open.
15687
15688 @item Child Termination Wait
15689 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15690 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15691 waiting on a terminate Phase.
15692
15693 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
15694 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15695 finish terminating.
15696
15697 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15698 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15699 @end table
15700
15701 @item Name
15702 Name of the task in the program.
15703
15704 @end table
15705
15706 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
15707 @item info task @var{taskno}
15708 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15709 the following example:
15710 @smallexample
15711 @iftex
15712 @leftskip=0.5cm
15713 @end iftex
15714 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15715 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15716 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15717 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15718 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15719 Ada Task: 0x807c468
15720 Name: task_1
15721 Thread: 0x807f378
15722 Parent: 1 (main_task)
15723 Base Priority: 15
15724 State: Runnable
15725 @end smallexample
15726
15727 @item task
15728 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15729 @cindex current Ada task ID
15730 This command prints the ID of the current task.
15731
15732 @smallexample
15733 @iftex
15734 @leftskip=0.5cm
15735 @end iftex
15736 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15737 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15738 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15739 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15740 (@value{GDBP}) task
15741 [Current task is 2]
15742 @end smallexample
15743
15744 @item task @var{taskno}
15745 @cindex Ada task switching
15746 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15747 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15748 from the current task to the given task.
15749
15750 @smallexample
15751 @iftex
15752 @leftskip=0.5cm
15753 @end iftex
15754 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15755 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15756 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15757 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15758 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15759 [Switching to task 1]
15760 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15761 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15762 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15763 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15764 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15765 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15766 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15767 @end smallexample
15768
15769 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15770 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15771 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15772 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15773 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15774 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15775 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
15776 @var{linespec} argument specifies source lines, as described
15777 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15778
15779 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15780 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15781 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
15782 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15783 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15784
15785 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15786 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15787 program.
15788
15789 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15790 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15791 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15792
15793 For example,
15794
15795 @smallexample
15796 @iftex
15797 @leftskip=0.5cm
15798 @end iftex
15799 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15800 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15801 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15802 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15803 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15804 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15805 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15806 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15807 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15808 Continuing.
15809 task # 1 running
15810 task # 2 running
15811
15812 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15813 15 flush;
15814 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15815 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15816 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15817 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15818 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15819 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15820 @end smallexample
15821 @end table
15822
15823 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15824 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15825 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15826
15827 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15828 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15829 the platform being used.
15830 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15831 switching is not supported.
15832
15833 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
15834 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15835 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15836 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15837 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15838 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15839
15840 @node Ravenscar Profile
15841 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15842 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15843
15844 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15845 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15846 requirements.
15847
15848 @table @code
15849 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15850 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15851 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15852 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15853 Profile. This is the default.
15854
15855 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15856 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15857 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15858 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15859 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15860 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15861 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15862
15863 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15864 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15865 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15866 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15867
15868 @end table
15869
15870 @node Ada Glitches
15871 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15872 @cindex Ada, problems
15873
15874 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15875 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15876 @value{GDBN},
15877 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15878 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15879
15880 @itemize @bullet
15881 @item
15882 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15883 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15884
15885 @item
15886 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15887 argument lists are treated as positional).
15888
15889 @item
15890 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15891
15892 @item
15893 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15894 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15895 the host machine.
15896
15897 @item
15898 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15899 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15900 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15901 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15902 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15903 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15904 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15905 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15906 you can usually resolve the confusion
15907 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15908 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15909 @end itemize
15910
15911 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15912 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15913 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15914 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15915 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15916 enabled.
15917
15918 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15919 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15920 @table @code
15921
15922 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15923 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15924 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15925 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15926 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15927 This is the default.
15928
15929 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15930 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15931 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15932 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15933 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15934 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15935 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15936
15937 @end table
15938
15939 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
15940 @cindex GNAT encoding
15941 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
15942 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
15943 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
15944 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
15945 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
15946 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
15947
15948 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
15949 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
15950 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
15951 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
15952 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
15953 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
15954 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
15955 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
15956
15957 @table @code
15958
15959 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
15960 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
15961 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
15962 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
15963
15964 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
15965 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
15966 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
15967
15968 @end table
15969
15970 @node Unsupported Languages
15971 @section Unsupported Languages
15972
15973 @cindex unsupported languages
15974 @cindex minimal language
15975 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15976 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15977 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15978 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15979 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15980 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15981
15982 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15983 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15984 language.
15985
15986 @node Symbols
15987 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15988
15989 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15990 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15991 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15992 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15993 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15994 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15995 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15996
15997 @cindex symbol names
15998 @cindex names of symbols
15999 @cindex quoting names
16000 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
16001 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
16002 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
16003 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
16004 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
16005 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
16006 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
16007 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
16008
16009 @smallexample
16010 p 'foo.c'::x
16011 @end smallexample
16012
16013 @noindent
16014 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
16015
16016 @table @code
16017 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
16018 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
16019 @kindex set case-sensitive
16020 @item set case-sensitive on
16021 @itemx set case-sensitive off
16022 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
16023 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
16024 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
16025 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
16026 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
16027 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
16028 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
16029 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
16030 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
16031 case-insensitive matches.
16032
16033 @kindex show case-sensitive
16034 @item show case-sensitive
16035 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
16036 lookups.
16037
16038 @kindex set print type methods
16039 @item set print type methods
16040 @itemx set print type methods on
16041 @itemx set print type methods off
16042 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
16043 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16044 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16045 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16046 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
16047 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
16048
16049 @kindex show print type methods
16050 @item show print type methods
16051 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
16052 classes.
16053
16054 @kindex set print type typedefs
16055 @item set print type typedefs
16056 @itemx set print type typedefs on
16057 @itemx set print type typedefs off
16058
16059 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
16060 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16061 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16062 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16063 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
16064 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
16065 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
16066 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
16067 types.
16068
16069 @kindex show print type typedefs
16070 @item show print type typedefs
16071 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
16072 printing classes.
16073
16074 @kindex info address
16075 @cindex address of a symbol
16076 @item info address @var{symbol}
16077 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
16078 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
16079 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
16080 is always stored.
16081
16082 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
16083 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
16084 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
16085
16086 @kindex info symbol
16087 @cindex symbol from address
16088 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
16089 @item info symbol @var{addr}
16090 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
16091 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
16092 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
16093
16094 @smallexample
16095 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
16096 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
16097 @end smallexample
16098
16099 @noindent
16100 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
16101 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
16102
16103 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
16104 library containing the symbol is also printed:
16105
16106 @smallexample
16107 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
16108 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
16109 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
16110 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
16111 @end smallexample
16112
16113 @kindex demangle
16114 @cindex demangle
16115 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
16116 Demangle @var{name}.
16117 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
16118 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
16119
16120 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
16121 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
16122
16123 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
16124 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
16125
16126 @kindex whatis
16127 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16128 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
16129 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
16130 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16131
16132 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
16133 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
16134 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
16135
16136 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
16137 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
16138 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
16139 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
16140 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
16141 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
16142 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
16143 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
16144 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
16145
16146 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
16147 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
16148 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
16149 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
16150 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
16151 unroll it.
16152
16153 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
16154 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
16155 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
16156
16157 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
16158 Available flags are:
16159
16160 @table @code
16161 @item r
16162 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
16163 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
16164 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
16165
16166 @item m
16167 Do not print methods defined in the class.
16168
16169 @item M
16170 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16171 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
16172
16173 @item t
16174 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
16175 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
16176 names are substituted when printing other types.
16177
16178 @item T
16179 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16180 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
16181 @end table
16182
16183 @kindex ptype
16184 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16185 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
16186 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
16187 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
16188
16189 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
16190 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
16191 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
16192 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
16193 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
16194 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
16195 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
16196 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
16197
16198 For example, for this variable declaration:
16199
16200 @smallexample
16201 typedef double real_t;
16202 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
16203 typedef struct complex complex_t;
16204 complex_t var;
16205 real_t *real_pointer_var;
16206 @end smallexample
16207
16208 @noindent
16209 the two commands give this output:
16210
16211 @smallexample
16212 @group
16213 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
16214 type = complex_t
16215 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
16216 type = struct complex @{
16217 real_t real;
16218 double imag;
16219 @}
16220 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
16221 type = struct complex
16222 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
16223 type = struct complex
16224 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
16225 type = struct complex @{
16226 real_t real;
16227 double imag;
16228 @}
16229 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
16230 type = real_t *
16231 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
16232 type = double *
16233 @end group
16234 @end smallexample
16235
16236 @noindent
16237 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
16238 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16239
16240 @cindex incomplete type
16241 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
16242 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
16243 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
16244 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
16245 given these declarations:
16246
16247 @smallexample
16248 struct foo;
16249 struct foo *fooptr;
16250 @end smallexample
16251
16252 @noindent
16253 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
16254
16255 @smallexample
16256 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
16257 $1 = <incomplete type>
16258 @end smallexample
16259
16260 @noindent
16261 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
16262 completely specified.
16263
16264 @kindex info types
16265 @item info types @var{regexp}
16266 @itemx info types
16267 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
16268 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
16269 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
16270 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
16271 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
16272 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
16273 name is @code{value}.
16274
16275 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
16276 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
16277 lists all source files where a type is defined.
16278
16279 @kindex info type-printers
16280 @item info type-printers
16281 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
16282 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
16283 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
16284 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
16285 type printers.
16286
16287 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
16288
16289 @kindex enable type-printer
16290 @kindex disable type-printer
16291 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16292 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16293 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
16294
16295 @kindex info scope
16296 @cindex local variables
16297 @item info scope @var{location}
16298 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
16299 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
16300 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
16301 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
16302 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
16303
16304 @smallexample
16305 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
16306 Scope for command_line_handler:
16307 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
16308 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
16309 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
16310 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
16311 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
16312 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
16313 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
16314 @end smallexample
16315
16316 @noindent
16317 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
16318 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
16319 collect}.
16320
16321 @kindex info source
16322 @item info source
16323 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
16324 the function containing the current point of execution:
16325 @itemize @bullet
16326 @item
16327 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
16328 @item
16329 the directory it was compiled in,
16330 @item
16331 its length, in lines,
16332 @item
16333 which programming language it is written in,
16334 @item
16335 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
16336 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
16337 @item
16338 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
16339 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
16340 @item
16341 whether the debugging information includes information about
16342 preprocessor macros.
16343 @end itemize
16344
16345
16346 @kindex info sources
16347 @item info sources
16348 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
16349 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
16350 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
16351
16352 @kindex info functions
16353 @item info functions
16354 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
16355
16356 @item info functions @var{regexp}
16357 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
16358 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
16359 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
16360 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
16361 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
16362 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
16363 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
16364
16365 @kindex info variables
16366 @item info variables
16367 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
16368 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
16369
16370 @item info variables @var{regexp}
16371 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
16372 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
16373 @var{regexp}.
16374
16375 @kindex info classes
16376 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
16377 @item info classes
16378 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
16379 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
16380 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16381 expression.
16382
16383 @kindex info selectors
16384 @item info selectors
16385 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
16386 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
16387 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16388 expression.
16389
16390 @ignore
16391 This was never implemented.
16392 @kindex info methods
16393 @item info methods
16394 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
16395 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
16396 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
16397 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
16398 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
16399 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
16400 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
16401 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
16402 @end ignore
16403
16404 @cindex opaque data types
16405 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
16406 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
16407 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
16408 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
16409 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
16410 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
16411 another source file. The default is on.
16412
16413 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
16414 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
16415
16416 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
16417 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
16418 is printed as follows:
16419 @smallexample
16420 @{<no data fields>@}
16421 @end smallexample
16422
16423 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
16424 @item show opaque-type-resolution
16425 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
16426
16427 @kindex set print symbol-loading
16428 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
16429 @item set print symbol-loading
16430 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
16431 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
16432 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
16433 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
16434 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
16435 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
16436 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
16437 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
16438 can be annoying.
16439 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
16440 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
16441 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
16442 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
16443
16444 @kindex show print symbol-loading
16445 @item show print symbol-loading
16446 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
16447 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
16448
16449 @kindex maint print symbols
16450 @cindex symbol dump
16451 @kindex maint print psymbols
16452 @cindex partial symbol dump
16453 @kindex maint print msymbols
16454 @cindex minimal symbol dump
16455 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
16456 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
16457 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
16458 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
16459 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
16460 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
16461 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
16462 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
16463 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
16464 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
16465 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
16466 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
16467 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
16468 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
16469 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
16470 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
16471 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
16472
16473 @kindex maint info symtabs
16474 @kindex maint info psymtabs
16475 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
16476 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16477 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16478 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16479 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16480 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16481
16482 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
16483 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
16484 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
16485 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
16486 structure in more detail. For example:
16487
16488 @smallexample
16489 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
16490 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16491 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16492 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16493 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
16494 readin no
16495 fullname (null)
16496 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
16497 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
16498 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
16499 dependencies (none)
16500 @}
16501 @}
16502 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16503 (@value{GDBP})
16504 @end smallexample
16505 @noindent
16506 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
16507 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
16508 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
16509 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
16510 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
16511
16512 @smallexample
16513 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
16514 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
16515 line 1574.
16516 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16517 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16518 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16519 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16520 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
16521 dirname (null)
16522 fullname (null)
16523 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
16524 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
16525 debugformat DWARF 2
16526 @}
16527 @}
16528 (@value{GDBP})
16529 @end smallexample
16530
16531 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
16532 @cindex symbol cache size
16533 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
16534 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
16535 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
16536 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
16537 with different sizes.
16538
16539 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
16540 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
16541 Show the size of the symbol cache.
16542
16543 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
16544 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
16545 @item maint print symbol-cache
16546 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
16547 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
16548
16549 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16550 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
16551 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16552 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
16553 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
16554
16555 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
16556 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
16557 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
16558 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
16559 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
16560 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
16561
16562 @end table
16563
16564 @node Altering
16565 @chapter Altering Execution
16566
16567 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
16568 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
16569 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
16570 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
16571 program.
16572
16573 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
16574 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
16575 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
16576
16577 @menu
16578 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
16579 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
16580 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
16581 * Returning:: Returning from a function
16582 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
16583 * Patching:: Patching your program
16584 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
16585 @end menu
16586
16587 @node Assignment
16588 @section Assignment to Variables
16589
16590 @cindex assignment
16591 @cindex setting variables
16592 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
16593 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
16594
16595 @smallexample
16596 print x=4
16597 @end smallexample
16598
16599 @noindent
16600 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
16601 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
16602 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
16603 information on operators in supported languages.
16604
16605 @kindex set variable
16606 @cindex variables, setting
16607 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
16608 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
16609 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
16610 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
16611 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
16612
16613 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
16614 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
16615 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
16616 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
16617 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
16618 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
16619 command @code{set width}:
16620
16621 @smallexample
16622 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
16623 type = double
16624 (@value{GDBP}) p width
16625 $4 = 13
16626 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
16627 Invalid syntax in expression.
16628 @end smallexample
16629
16630 @noindent
16631 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
16632 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
16633
16634 @smallexample
16635 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
16636 @end smallexample
16637
16638 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
16639 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
16640 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
16641 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
16642 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
16643 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
16644
16645 @smallexample
16646 @group
16647 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
16648 type = double
16649 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16650 $1 = 1
16651 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
16652 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16653 $2 = 1
16654 (@value{GDBP}) r
16655 The program being debugged has been started already.
16656 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
16657 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
16658 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
16659 Invalid bfd target.
16660 (@value{GDBP}) show g
16661 The current BFD target is "=4".
16662 @end group
16663 @end smallexample
16664
16665 @noindent
16666 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
16667 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
16668 @code{g}, use
16669
16670 @smallexample
16671 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
16672 @end smallexample
16673
16674 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
16675 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
16676 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16677 same length or shorter.
16678 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16679 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16680
16681 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16682 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16683 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16684 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16685 and representation in memory), and
16686
16687 @smallexample
16688 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16689 @end smallexample
16690
16691 @noindent
16692 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16693
16694 @node Jumping
16695 @section Continuing at a Different Address
16696
16697 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16698 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16699 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16700
16701 @table @code
16702 @kindex jump
16703 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16704 @item jump @var{linespec}
16705 @itemx j @var{linespec}
16706 @itemx jump @var{location}
16707 @itemx j @var{location}
16708 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16709 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16710 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16711 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16712 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16713 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16714
16715 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16716 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16717 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16718 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16719 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16720 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16721 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16722 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16723 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16724 @end table
16725
16726 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16727 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16728 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16729 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16730 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16731 example,
16732
16733 @smallexample
16734 set $pc = 0x485
16735 @end smallexample
16736
16737 @noindent
16738 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16739 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16740 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16741
16742 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16743 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16744 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16745 detail.
16746
16747 @c @group
16748 @node Signaling
16749 @section Giving your Program a Signal
16750 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
16751
16752 @table @code
16753 @kindex signal
16754 @item signal @var{signal}
16755 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
16756 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16757 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16758 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16759
16760 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16761 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16762 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16763 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16764 signal.
16765
16766 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
16767 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
16768 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
16769 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
16770 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
16771 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
16772 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
16773 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
16774
16775 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16776 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16777 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16778 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16779 passes the signal directly to your program.
16780
16781 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16782 after executing the command.
16783
16784 @kindex queue-signal
16785 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
16786 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
16787 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
16788 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
16789 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16790 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
16791 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
16792 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
16793 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
16794
16795 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
16796 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
16797 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
16798 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16799 @code{continue} command.
16800
16801 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
16802 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
16803 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
16804 (@pxref{Signals}).
16805 @end table
16806 @c @end group
16807
16808 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
16809 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
16810
16811 @node Returning
16812 @section Returning from a Function
16813
16814 @table @code
16815 @cindex returning from a function
16816 @kindex return
16817 @item return
16818 @itemx return @var{expression}
16819 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16820 command. If you give an
16821 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16822 value.
16823 @end table
16824
16825 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16826 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16827 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16828 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16829
16830 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16831 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16832 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16833 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16834 of functions.
16835
16836 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16837 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16838 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16839 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16840 selected stack frame returns naturally.
16841
16842 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16843 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16844 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16845 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16846 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16847 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16848 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16849 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16850 assignment into the right register(s).
16851
16852 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16853 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16854 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16855 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16856 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16857 into a @code{long long int}:
16858
16859 @smallexample
16860 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
16861 29 return 31;
16862 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16863 Make func return now? (y or n) y
16864 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
16865 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16866 (@value{GDBP})
16867 @end smallexample
16868
16869 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16870 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16871 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16872 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16873 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16874 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16875 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16876 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16877
16878 @smallexample
16879 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16880 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16881 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16882 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16883 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16884 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16885 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16886 (@value{GDBP})
16887 @end smallexample
16888
16889 @node Calling
16890 @section Calling Program Functions
16891
16892 @table @code
16893 @cindex calling functions
16894 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16895 @item print @var{expr}
16896 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16897 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
16898 debugged.
16899
16900 @kindex call
16901 @item call @var{expr}
16902 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16903 returned values.
16904
16905 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16906 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16907 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16908 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16909 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16910 value history.
16911 @end table
16912
16913 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16914 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16915 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16916 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16917
16918 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16919 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16920 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16921 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16922 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16923 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16924 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16925 in that case is controlled by the
16926 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16927
16928 @table @code
16929 @item set unwindonsignal
16930 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16931 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16932 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16933 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16934 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16935 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16936 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16937 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16938 received.
16939
16940 @item show unwindonsignal
16941 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16942 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16943 @value{GDBN}.
16944
16945 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16946 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16947 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16948 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16949 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16950 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16951 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16952 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16953 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16954 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16955
16956 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16957 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16958 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16959 @value{GDBN}.
16960
16961 @end table
16962
16963 @cindex weak alias functions
16964 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16965 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16966 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16967 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16968 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16969 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16970 function instead.
16971
16972 @node Patching
16973 @section Patching Programs
16974
16975 @cindex patching binaries
16976 @cindex writing into executables
16977 @cindex writing into corefiles
16978
16979 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16980 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16981 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16982 patching your program's binary.
16983
16984 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16985 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16986 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16987 repairs.
16988
16989 @table @code
16990 @kindex set write
16991 @item set write on
16992 @itemx set write off
16993 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16994 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16995 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16996
16997 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16998 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16999 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
17000
17001 @item show write
17002 @kindex show write
17003 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
17004 as well as reading.
17005 @end table
17006
17007 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
17008 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
17009 @cindex injecting code
17010 @cindex writing into executables
17011 @cindex compiling code
17012
17013 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
17014 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
17015 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
17016 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
17017
17018 @table @code
17019 @kindex compile code
17020 @item compile code @var{source-code}
17021 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
17022 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
17023 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
17024 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
17025 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
17026 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
17027 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
17028 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
17029 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
17030 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
17031 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
17032
17033 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
17034 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
17035 E.g.:
17036
17037 @smallexample
17038 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
17039 @end smallexample
17040
17041 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
17042 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
17043 from actual source code. E.g.:
17044
17045 @smallexample
17046 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
17047 @end smallexample
17048
17049 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
17050 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
17051 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
17052 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
17053 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
17054 editor.
17055
17056 @smallexample
17057 compile code
17058 >printf ("hello\n");
17059 >printf ("world\n");
17060 >end
17061 @end smallexample
17062
17063 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
17064 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
17065 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
17066 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
17067 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
17068 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
17069 inferior symbols otherwise.
17070
17071 @kindex compile file
17072 @item compile file @var{filename}
17073 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
17074 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
17075
17076 @smallexample
17077 compile file /home/user/example.c
17078 @end smallexample
17079 @end table
17080
17081 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
17082
17083 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
17084 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
17085 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
17086
17087 @table @asis
17088 @item C code examples and caveats
17089 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
17090 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
17091 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
17092 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
17093 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
17094
17095 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
17096 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
17097 much like any other normal debugging session.
17098
17099 @smallexample
17100 void function1 (void)
17101 @{
17102 int i = 42;
17103 printf ("function 1\n");
17104 @}
17105
17106 void function2 (void)
17107 @{
17108 int j = 12;
17109 function1 ();
17110 @}
17111
17112 int main(void)
17113 @{
17114 int k = 6;
17115 int *p;
17116 function2 ();
17117 return 0;
17118 @}
17119 @end smallexample
17120
17121 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
17122 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
17123 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
17124
17125 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
17126 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
17127 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
17128 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
17129 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
17130
17131 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
17132 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
17133 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
17134 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
17135 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
17136 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
17137 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
17138 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
17139 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
17140 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
17141
17142 @smallexample
17143 compile code k = 3;
17144 @end smallexample
17145
17146 @noindent
17147 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
17148 something else in the example program changes it, or another
17149 @code{compile} command changes it.
17150
17151 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
17152 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
17153 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
17154 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
17155 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
17156
17157 @smallexample
17158 compile code j = 3;
17159 @end smallexample
17160
17161 @noindent
17162 will result in a compilation error message.
17163
17164 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
17165 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
17166 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
17167
17168 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
17169 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
17170 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
17171 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
17172
17173 @smallexample
17174 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
17175 @end smallexample
17176
17177 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
17178 command has completed:
17179
17180 @smallexample
17181 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
17182 @end smallexample
17183
17184 @noindent
17185 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
17186 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
17187 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
17188 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
17189 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
17190
17191 @smallexample
17192 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
17193 @end smallexample
17194
17195 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
17196 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
17197 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
17198 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
17199 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
17200 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
17201 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
17202 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
17203
17204 @smallexample
17205 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
17206 @end smallexample
17207
17208 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
17209 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
17210 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
17211 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
17212 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
17213 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
17214 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
17215
17216 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
17217 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
17218 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
17219 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
17220 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
17221 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
17222
17223 @smallexample
17224 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
17225 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17226 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
17227 Compilation failed.
17228 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17229 42
17230 @end smallexample
17231
17232 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
17233 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
17234 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
17235 will print to the console.
17236 @end table
17237
17238 @node GDB Files
17239 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
17240
17241 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
17242 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
17243 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
17244 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
17245
17246 @menu
17247 * Files:: Commands to specify files
17248 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
17249 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
17250 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
17251 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
17252 * Data Files:: GDB data files
17253 @end menu
17254
17255 @node Files
17256 @section Commands to Specify Files
17257
17258 @cindex symbol table
17259 @cindex core dump file
17260
17261 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
17262 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
17263 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
17264 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
17265
17266 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
17267 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
17268 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
17269 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
17270 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
17271 new files are useful.
17272
17273 @table @code
17274 @cindex executable file
17275 @kindex file
17276 @item file @var{filename}
17277 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
17278 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
17279 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
17280 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
17281 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
17282 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
17283 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
17284 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
17285
17286 @cindex unlinked object files
17287 @cindex patching object files
17288 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
17289 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
17290 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
17291 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
17292 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
17293 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
17294 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
17295 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
17296
17297 @item file
17298 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
17299 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
17300
17301 @kindex exec-file
17302 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17303 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
17304 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
17305 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
17306 discard information on the executable file.
17307
17308 @kindex symbol-file
17309 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17310 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
17311 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
17312 table and program to run from the same file.
17313
17314 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
17315 program's symbol table.
17316
17317 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
17318 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
17319 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
17320 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
17321 @value{GDBN}.
17322
17323 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
17324 executing it once.
17325
17326 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
17327 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
17328 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
17329 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
17330 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
17331 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
17332 optimized code.
17333
17334 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
17335 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
17336 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
17337 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
17338 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
17339
17340 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
17341 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
17342 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
17343 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
17344 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
17345 Warnings and Messages}.)
17346
17347 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
17348 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
17349 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
17350 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
17351 in stabs format.
17352
17353 @kindex readnow
17354 @cindex reading symbols immediately
17355 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
17356 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17357 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17358 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
17359 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
17360 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
17361 entire symbol table available.
17362
17363 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
17364 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
17365 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
17366 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
17367 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
17368 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
17369 @c files.
17370
17371 @kindex core-file
17372 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17373 @itemx core
17374 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
17375 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
17376 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
17377 executable file itself for other parts.
17378
17379 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
17380 to be used.
17381
17382 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
17383 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
17384 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
17385 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
17386 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
17387
17388 @kindex add-symbol-file
17389 @cindex dynamic linking
17390 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
17391 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
17392 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
17393 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
17394 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
17395 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
17396 into the program that is running. The @var{address} should give the memory
17397 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
17398 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
17399 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
17400 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
17401 @var{address} as an expression.
17402
17403 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
17404 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
17405 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
17406 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
17407
17408 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
17409
17410 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
17411 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
17412 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
17413 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
17414 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
17415 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
17416 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
17417 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
17418 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
17419
17420 @itemize @bullet
17421 @item
17422 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
17423 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
17424 @item
17425 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
17426 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
17427 @item
17428 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
17429 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17430 @end itemize
17431
17432 @noindent
17433 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
17434 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
17435 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
17436 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
17437 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
17438 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
17439 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
17440 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
17441 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
17442 way.
17443
17444 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17445
17446 @kindex remove-symbol-file
17447 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
17448 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
17449 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
17450 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
17451 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
17452
17453 @smallexample
17454 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
17455 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
17456 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
17457 (y or n) y
17458 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
17459 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
17460 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
17461 (gdb)
17462 @end smallexample
17463
17464
17465 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17466
17467 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
17468 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
17469 @cindex load symbols from memory
17470 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
17471 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
17472 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
17473 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
17474 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
17475 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
17476 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
17477 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
17478 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
17479
17480 @kindex section
17481 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
17482 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
17483 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
17484 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
17485 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
17486 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
17487 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
17488 their addresses.
17489
17490 @kindex info files
17491 @kindex info target
17492 @item info files
17493 @itemx info target
17494 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
17495 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
17496 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
17497 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
17498 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
17499 current ones.
17500
17501 @kindex maint info sections
17502 @item maint info sections
17503 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
17504 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
17505 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
17506 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
17507 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
17508 may be arbitrarily combined):
17509
17510 @table @code
17511 @item ALLOBJ
17512 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
17513 @item @var{sections}
17514 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
17515 @item @var{section-flags}
17516 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
17517 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
17518 @table @code
17519 @item ALLOC
17520 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
17521 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
17522 @item LOAD
17523 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
17524 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
17525 @item RELOC
17526 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
17527 @item READONLY
17528 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
17529 @item CODE
17530 Section contains executable code only.
17531 @item DATA
17532 Section contains data only (no executable code).
17533 @item ROM
17534 Section will reside in ROM.
17535 @item CONSTRUCTOR
17536 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
17537 @item HAS_CONTENTS
17538 Section is not empty.
17539 @item NEVER_LOAD
17540 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
17541 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
17542 A notification to the linker that the section contains
17543 COFF shared library information.
17544 @item IS_COMMON
17545 Section contains common symbols.
17546 @end table
17547 @end table
17548 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
17549 @cindex read-only sections
17550 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
17551 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
17552 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
17553 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
17554 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
17555 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
17556 enhancement to debugging performance.
17557
17558 The default is off.
17559
17560 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
17561 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
17562 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
17563 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
17564
17565 @item show trust-readonly-sections
17566 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
17567 @end table
17568
17569 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
17570 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
17571 name and remembers it that way.
17572
17573 @cindex shared libraries
17574 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
17575 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
17576 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
17577
17578 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
17579 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
17580
17581 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
17582 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
17583 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
17584 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
17585 debugging a core file).
17586
17587 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
17588 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
17589
17590 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
17591 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
17592 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
17593
17594 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
17595 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
17596 particularly large or there are many of them.
17597
17598 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
17599 commands:
17600
17601 @table @code
17602 @kindex set auto-solib-add
17603 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
17604 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
17605 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
17606 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
17607 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
17608 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
17609 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
17610
17611 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
17612 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
17613 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
17614 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
17615 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
17616 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
17617 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
17618 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
17619 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
17620
17621 @kindex show auto-solib-add
17622 @item show auto-solib-add
17623 Display the current autoloading mode.
17624 @end table
17625
17626 @cindex load shared library
17627 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
17628 command:
17629
17630 @table @code
17631 @kindex info sharedlibrary
17632 @kindex info share
17633 @item info share @var{regex}
17634 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
17635 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
17636 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
17637 all shared libraries that are loaded.
17638
17639 @kindex sharedlibrary
17640 @kindex share
17641 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
17642 @itemx share @var{regex}
17643 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
17644 Unix regular expression.
17645 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
17646 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
17647 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
17648 loaded.
17649
17650 @item nosharedlibrary
17651 @kindex nosharedlibrary
17652 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
17653 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
17654 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
17655 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
17656 discarded.
17657 @end table
17658
17659 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
17660 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
17661 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
17662 Catchpoints}).
17663
17664 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
17665 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
17666 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
17667 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
17668
17669 @table @code
17670 @item set stop-on-solib-events
17671 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
17672 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
17673 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
17674 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
17675 shared library.
17676
17677 @item show stop-on-solib-events
17678 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
17679 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
17680 library events happen.
17681 @end table
17682
17683 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
17684 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
17685 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
17686 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
17687 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
17688 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
17689 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
17690 not.
17691
17692 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
17693 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
17694 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
17695 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
17696 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
17697
17698 @table @code
17699 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
17700 @cindex system root, alternate
17701 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
17702 @kindex set sysroot
17703 @item set sysroot @var{path}
17704 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
17705 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
17706 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
17707 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
17708 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
17709 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
17710 under @var{path}.
17711
17712 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
17713 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
17714 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
17715 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
17716 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
17717 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
17718 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
17719 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
17720 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
17721
17722 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
17723 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
17724 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
17725 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
17726 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
17727
17728 @smallexample
17729 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
17730 @end smallexample
17731
17732 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
17733 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
17734 system:
17735
17736 @smallexample
17737 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
17738 @end smallexample
17739
17740 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
17741 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
17742 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
17743 colons:
17744
17745 @smallexample
17746 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
17747 @end smallexample
17748
17749 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
17750 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
17751 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
17752 @samp{z}):
17753
17754 @smallexample
17755 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
17756 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17757 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17758 @end smallexample
17759
17760 @noindent
17761 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
17762 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
17763 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
17764
17765 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
17766 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
17767
17768 @smallexample
17769 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
17770 @end smallexample
17771
17772 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
17773 if you don't want or need to.
17774
17775 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
17776 sysroot}.
17777
17778 @cindex default system root
17779 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
17780 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
17781 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
17782 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17783 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
17784 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17785 location.
17786
17787 @kindex show sysroot
17788 @item show sysroot
17789 Display the current shared library prefix.
17790
17791 @kindex set solib-search-path
17792 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
17793 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17794 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
17795 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
17796 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
17797 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
17798 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17799 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
17800 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
17801 of shared library symbols.
17802
17803 @kindex show solib-search-path
17804 @item show solib-search-path
17805 Display the current shared library search path.
17806
17807 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
17808 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
17809 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
17810 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
17811 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
17812
17813 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
17814 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
17815 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
17816 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
17817 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
17818 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
17819 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
17820 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
17821 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
17822 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
17823 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
17824 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
17825 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
17826 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
17827 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
17828 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
17829 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
17830 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
17831 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
17832 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
17833 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
17834 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
17835
17836 @table @code
17837 @item unix
17838 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
17839 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
17840 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
17841 the forward slash.
17842
17843 @item dos-based
17844 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
17845 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
17846 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
17847 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
17848 considered directory separators.
17849
17850 @item auto
17851 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
17852 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
17853 This is the default.
17854 @end table
17855 @end table
17856
17857 @cindex file name canonicalization
17858 @cindex base name differences
17859 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
17860 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
17861 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
17862 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
17863 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
17864 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
17865 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
17866 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
17867 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
17868 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
17869 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
17870 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
17871 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
17872 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
17873 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
17874
17875 @table @code
17876 @item set basenames-may-differ
17877 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
17878 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17879
17880 @item show basenames-may-differ
17881 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
17882 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17883 @end table
17884
17885 @node Separate Debug Files
17886 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
17887 @cindex separate debugging information files
17888 @cindex debugging information in separate files
17889 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
17890 @cindex debugging information directory, global
17891 @cindex global debugging information directories
17892 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
17893 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
17894
17895 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
17896 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
17897 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
17898 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
17899 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
17900 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
17901 install only when they need to debug a problem.
17902
17903 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
17904 file:
17905
17906 @itemize @bullet
17907 @item
17908 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
17909 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
17910 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
17911 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
17912 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
17913 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
17914 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
17915 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
17916
17917 @item
17918 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
17919 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
17920 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
17921 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
17922 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
17923 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
17924 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
17925 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
17926 below.
17927 @end itemize
17928
17929 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
17930 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
17931
17932 @itemize @bullet
17933 @item
17934 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
17935 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
17936 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
17937 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
17938 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
17939
17940 @item
17941 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
17942 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
17943 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
17944 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
17945 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
17946 hex characters, not 10.)
17947 @end itemize
17948
17949 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17950 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17951 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17952 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17953 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17954 debug information files, in the indicated order:
17955
17956 @itemize @minus
17957 @item
17958 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17959 @item
17960 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17961 @item
17962 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17963 @item
17964 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17965 @end itemize
17966
17967 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
17968 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17969 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17970 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17971 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
17972
17973 @table @code
17974
17975 @kindex set debug-file-directory
17976 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17977 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17978 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17979 concatenating them by a path separator.
17980
17981 @kindex show debug-file-directory
17982 @item show debug-file-directory
17983 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17984 information files.
17985
17986 @end table
17987
17988 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17989 @cindex debug link sections
17990 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17991 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17992
17993 @itemize
17994 @item
17995 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17996 a zero byte,
17997 @item
17998 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17999 boundary within the section, and
18000 @item
18001 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
18002 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
18003 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
18004 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
18005 @end itemize
18006
18007 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
18008 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
18009 described above.
18010
18011 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
18012 @cindex build ID sections
18013 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
18014 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
18015 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
18016 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
18017 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
18018 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
18019 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
18020 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
18021 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
18022
18023 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
18024 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
18025 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
18026 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
18027 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
18028 in an ordinary executable.
18029
18030 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
18031 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
18032 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
18033 following commands:
18034
18035 @smallexample
18036 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
18037 @kbd{strip -g foo}
18038 @end smallexample
18039
18040 @noindent
18041 These commands remove the debugging
18042 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
18043 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
18044 two files:
18045
18046 @itemize @bullet
18047 @item
18048 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
18049 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
18050
18051 @smallexample
18052 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
18053 @end smallexample
18054
18055 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
18056 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
18057 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
18058 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
18059
18060 @item
18061 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
18062 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
18063 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
18064 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
18065 @end itemize
18066
18067 @noindent
18068
18069 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
18070 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
18071 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
18072
18073 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
18074 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
18075 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
18076 @c different ways!
18077 @ifhtml
18078 @display
18079 @html
18080 <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>
18081 + <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
18082 @end html
18083 @end display
18084 @end ifhtml
18085 @ifnothtml
18086 @display
18087 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
18088 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
18089 @end display
18090 @end ifnothtml
18091
18092 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
18093 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
18094 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
18095 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
18096 CRC.
18097
18098 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
18099 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
18100 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
18101 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
18102 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
18103
18104 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
18105 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
18106 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
18107 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
18108 @code{0xffffffff}.
18109
18110 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
18111 @smallexample
18112 unsigned long
18113 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
18114 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
18115 @{
18116 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
18117 @{
18118 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
18119 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
18120 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
18121 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
18122 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
18123 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
18124 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
18125 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
18126 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
18127 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
18128 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
18129 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
18130 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
18131 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
18132 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
18133 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
18134 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
18135 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
18136 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
18137 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
18138 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
18139 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
18140 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
18141 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
18142 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
18143 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
18144 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
18145 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
18146 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
18147 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
18148 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
18149 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
18150 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
18151 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
18152 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
18153 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
18154 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
18155 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
18156 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
18157 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
18158 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
18159 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
18160 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
18161 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
18162 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
18163 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
18164 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
18165 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
18166 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
18167 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
18168 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
18169 0x2d02ef8d
18170 @};
18171 unsigned char *end;
18172
18173 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18174 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
18175 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
18176 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18177 @}
18178 @end smallexample
18179
18180 @noindent
18181 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
18182
18183 @node MiniDebugInfo
18184 @section Debugging information in a special section
18185 @cindex separate debug sections
18186 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
18187
18188 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
18189 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
18190 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
18191 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
18192
18193 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
18194 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
18195 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
18196 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
18197 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
18198 debugging information might be included in the section.
18199
18200 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
18201 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
18202 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
18203
18204 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
18205 standard utilities:
18206
18207 @smallexample
18208 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
18209 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
18210 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18211 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
18212
18213 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
18214 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
18215 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
18216 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18217 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
18218 | sort > funcsyms
18219
18220 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
18221 # table.
18222 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
18223
18224 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
18225 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
18226
18227 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
18228 # removing some unnecessary sections.
18229 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
18230 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
18231
18232 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
18233 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
18234
18235 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
18236 # original binary.
18237 xz mini_debuginfo
18238 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
18239 @end smallexample
18240
18241 @node Index Files
18242 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
18243 @cindex index files
18244 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
18245
18246 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
18247 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
18248 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
18249 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
18250 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
18251 startup.
18252
18253 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
18254 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
18255 using @command{objcopy}.
18256
18257 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
18258
18259 @table @code
18260 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
18261 @kindex save gdb-index
18262 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
18263 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
18264 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
18265 @var{directory}.
18266 @end table
18267
18268 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
18269 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
18270
18271 @smallexample
18272 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
18273 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
18274 @end smallexample
18275
18276 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
18277 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
18278 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
18279 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
18280 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
18281 The default is @code{off}.
18282 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
18283 @xref{Index Section Format}.
18284
18285 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
18286 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
18287
18288 @smallexample
18289 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18290 @end smallexample
18291
18292 Instead you must do, for example,
18293
18294 @smallexample
18295 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18296 @end smallexample
18297
18298 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
18299 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
18300 currently work for programs using Ada.
18301
18302 @node Symbol Errors
18303 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
18304
18305 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
18306 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
18307 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
18308 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
18309 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
18310 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
18311 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
18312 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
18313 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
18314 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18315 Messages}).
18316
18317 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
18318
18319 @table @code
18320 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
18321
18322 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
18323 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
18324 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
18325 in its outer scope blocks.
18326
18327 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
18328 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
18329 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
18330 function.
18331
18332 @item block at @var{address} out of order
18333
18334 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
18335 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
18336 do so.
18337
18338 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
18339 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
18340 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
18341 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18342 Messages}.)
18343
18344 @item bad block start address patched
18345
18346 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
18347 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
18348 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
18349
18350 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
18351 starting on the previous source line.
18352
18353 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
18354
18355 @cindex foo
18356 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
18357 larger than the size of the string table.
18358
18359 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
18360 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
18361 with this name.
18362
18363 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
18364
18365 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
18366 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
18367 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
18368
18369 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
18370 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
18371 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18372 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
18373 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
18374 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
18375
18376 @item stub type has NULL name
18377
18378 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
18379
18380 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
18381 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
18382 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
18383 it.
18384
18385 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
18386
18387 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
18388
18389 @end table
18390
18391 @node Data Files
18392 @section GDB Data Files
18393
18394 @cindex prefix for data files
18395 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
18396 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
18397
18398 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
18399 is currently using.
18400
18401 @table @code
18402 @kindex set data-directory
18403 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
18404 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
18405 to @var{directory}.
18406
18407 @kindex show data-directory
18408 @item show data-directory
18409 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
18410 @end table
18411
18412 @cindex default data directory
18413 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
18414 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
18415 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
18416 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18417 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
18418 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18419 location.
18420
18421 The data directory may also be specified with the
18422 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
18423 @xref{Mode Options}.
18424
18425 @node Targets
18426 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
18427
18428 @cindex debugging target
18429 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18430
18431 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
18432 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
18433 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18434 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
18435 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
18436 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
18437 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
18438 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
18439
18440 @cindex target architecture
18441 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
18442 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
18443 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
18444 command.
18445
18446 @table @code
18447 @kindex set architecture
18448 @kindex show architecture
18449 @item set architecture @var{arch}
18450 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
18451 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
18452 supported architectures.
18453
18454 @item show architecture
18455 Show the current target architecture.
18456
18457 @item set processor
18458 @itemx processor
18459 @kindex set processor
18460 @kindex show processor
18461 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
18462 and @code{show architecture}.
18463 @end table
18464
18465 @menu
18466 * Active Targets:: Active targets
18467 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
18468 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
18469 @end menu
18470
18471 @node Active Targets
18472 @section Active Targets
18473
18474 @cindex stacking targets
18475 @cindex active targets
18476 @cindex multiple targets
18477
18478 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
18479 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
18480 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
18481 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
18482 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
18483 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
18484 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
18485 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
18486 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
18487
18488 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
18489 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
18490 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
18491 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
18492
18493 @node Target Commands
18494 @section Commands for Managing Targets
18495
18496 @table @code
18497 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
18498 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
18499 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
18500 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
18501 protocol of the target machine.
18502
18503 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
18504 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
18505 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
18506
18507 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
18508 after executing the command.
18509
18510 @kindex help target
18511 @item help target
18512 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
18513 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
18514 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
18515
18516 @item help target @var{name}
18517 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
18518 select it.
18519
18520 @kindex set gnutarget
18521 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
18522 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
18523 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
18524 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
18525 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
18526 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
18527
18528 @quotation
18529 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
18530 you must know the actual BFD name.
18531 @end quotation
18532
18533 @noindent
18534 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
18535
18536 @kindex show gnutarget
18537 @item show gnutarget
18538 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
18539 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
18540 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
18541 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
18542 @end table
18543
18544 @cindex common targets
18545 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
18546 configuration):
18547
18548 @table @code
18549 @kindex target
18550 @item target exec @var{program}
18551 @cindex executable file target
18552 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
18553 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
18554
18555 @item target core @var{filename}
18556 @cindex core dump file target
18557 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
18558 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
18559
18560 @item target remote @var{medium}
18561 @cindex remote target
18562 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
18563 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
18564 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
18565
18566 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
18567 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
18568
18569 @smallexample
18570 target remote /dev/ttya
18571 @end smallexample
18572
18573 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
18574 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
18575 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
18576 clobbered by the download.
18577
18578 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18579 @cindex built-in simulator target
18580 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
18581 In general,
18582 @smallexample
18583 target sim
18584 load
18585 run
18586 @end smallexample
18587 @noindent
18588 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
18589 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
18590 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
18591 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
18592 Processors}.
18593
18594 @item target native
18595 @cindex native target
18596 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
18597 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
18598 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
18599 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
18600
18601 @end table
18602
18603 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
18604 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
18605
18606 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
18607 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
18608 various aspects of this process.
18609
18610 @table @code
18611
18612 @item set hash
18613 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
18614 @cindex hash mark while downloading
18615 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
18616 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
18617 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
18618 monitor.
18619
18620 @item show hash
18621 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
18622 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
18623
18624 @item set debug monitor
18625 @kindex set debug monitor
18626 @cindex display remote monitor communications
18627 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
18628 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
18629
18630 @item show debug monitor
18631 @kindex show debug monitor
18632 Show the current status of displaying communications between
18633 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
18634 @end table
18635
18636 @table @code
18637
18638 @kindex load @var{filename}
18639 @item load @var{filename}
18640 @anchor{load}
18641 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
18642 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
18643 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
18644 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
18645 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
18646 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
18647
18648 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
18649 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
18650 target is @dots{}}''
18651
18652 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
18653 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
18654 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
18655 specifies a fixed address.
18656 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
18657
18658 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
18659 load programs into flash memory.
18660
18661 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
18662 @end table
18663
18664 @node Byte Order
18665 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
18666
18667 @cindex choosing target byte order
18668 @cindex target byte order
18669
18670 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
18671 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
18672 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
18673 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
18674 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
18675 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
18676
18677 @table @code
18678 @kindex set endian
18679 @item set endian big
18680 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
18681
18682 @item set endian little
18683 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
18684
18685 @item set endian auto
18686 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
18687 executable.
18688
18689 @item show endian
18690 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
18691
18692 @end table
18693
18694 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
18695 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
18696 target system.
18697
18698
18699 @node Remote Debugging
18700 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
18701 @cindex remote debugging
18702
18703 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
18704 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
18705 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
18706 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
18707 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
18708
18709 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
18710 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
18711 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
18712 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
18713 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
18714 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
18715
18716 Other remote targets may be available in your
18717 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
18718
18719 @menu
18720 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
18721 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
18722 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
18723 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
18724 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
18725 @end menu
18726
18727 @node Connecting
18728 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
18729
18730 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
18731 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
18732 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
18733 program as the first argument.
18734
18735 @cindex @code{target remote}
18736 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
18737 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
18738 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
18739 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
18740 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
18741 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
18742
18743 @table @code
18744
18745 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
18746 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
18747 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
18748 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
18749
18750 @smallexample
18751 target remote /dev/ttyb
18752 @end smallexample
18753
18754 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
18755 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
18756 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
18757 @code{target} command.
18758
18759 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
18760 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18761 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
18762 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
18763 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
18764 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
18765 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
18766 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
18767 target.
18768
18769 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
18770 @code{manyfarms}:
18771
18772 @smallexample
18773 target remote manyfarms:2828
18774 @end smallexample
18775
18776 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
18777 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
18778 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
18779 port 1234 on your local machine:
18780
18781 @smallexample
18782 target remote :1234
18783 @end smallexample
18784 @noindent
18785
18786 Note that the colon is still required here.
18787
18788 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18789 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
18790 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
18791 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
18792
18793 @smallexample
18794 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
18795 @end smallexample
18796
18797 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
18798 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
18799 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
18800 cause havoc with your debugging session.
18801
18802 @item target remote | @var{command}
18803 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
18804 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
18805 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
18806 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
18807 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
18808 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
18809 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
18810 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
18811
18812 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
18813 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
18814 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
18815
18816 @end table
18817
18818 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
18819 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
18820 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
18821 need to use @kbd{run}.
18822
18823 @cindex interrupting remote programs
18824 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
18825 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
18826 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
18827 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
18828 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
18829 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
18830
18831 @smallexample
18832 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
18833 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
18834 @end smallexample
18835
18836 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
18837 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
18838 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
18839 goes back to waiting.
18840
18841 @table @code
18842 @kindex detach (remote)
18843 @item detach
18844 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
18845 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
18846 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
18847 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
18848 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
18849
18850 @kindex disconnect
18851 @item disconnect
18852 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
18853 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
18854 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
18855 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
18856 another target.
18857
18858 @cindex send command to remote monitor
18859 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
18860 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
18861 @kindex monitor
18862 @item monitor @var{cmd}
18863 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
18864 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
18865 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
18866 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
18867 and implement.
18868 @end table
18869
18870 @node File Transfer
18871 @section Sending files to a remote system
18872 @cindex remote target, file transfer
18873 @cindex file transfer
18874 @cindex sending files to remote systems
18875
18876 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
18877 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
18878 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
18879 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
18880 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
18881 the only way to upload or download files.
18882
18883 Not all remote targets support these commands.
18884
18885 @table @code
18886 @kindex remote put
18887 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
18888 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
18889 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
18890
18891 @kindex remote get
18892 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
18893 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
18894 on the host system.
18895
18896 @kindex remote delete
18897 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
18898 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
18899
18900 @end table
18901
18902 @node Server
18903 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
18904
18905 @kindex gdbserver
18906 @cindex remote connection without stubs
18907 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
18908 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
18909 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
18910
18911 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
18912 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
18913 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
18914 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
18915 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
18916 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
18917 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
18918 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
18919 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
18920 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
18921 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
18922 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
18923 choice for debugging.
18924
18925 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
18926 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
18927 protocol.
18928
18929 @quotation
18930 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
18931 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
18932 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
18933 target system with the same privileges as the user running
18934 @code{gdbserver}.
18935 @end quotation
18936
18937 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
18938 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
18939 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
18940
18941 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
18942 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
18943 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
18944 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
18945 system does all the symbol handling.
18946
18947 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
18948 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
18949 syntax is:
18950
18951 @smallexample
18952 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18953 @end smallexample
18954
18955 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18956 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18957 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18958 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18959 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18960 @file{/dev/com1}:
18961
18962 @smallexample
18963 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18964 @end smallexample
18965
18966 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18967 with it.
18968
18969 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18970
18971 @smallexample
18972 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18973 @end smallexample
18974
18975 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18976 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18977 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18978 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18979 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18980 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18981 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18982 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18983 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18984 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18985 @code{target remote} command.
18986
18987 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18988 with ssh:
18989
18990 @smallexample
18991 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18992 @end smallexample
18993
18994 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18995 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18996 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18997 You could elide it if you want to.
18998
18999 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
19000 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
19001 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
19002 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
19003
19004 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
19005 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
19006 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
19007
19008 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
19009 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
19010
19011 @smallexample
19012 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
19013 @end smallexample
19014
19015 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
19016 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
19017
19018 @pindex pidof
19019 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
19020 @code{pidof} utility:
19021
19022 @smallexample
19023 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
19024 @end smallexample
19025
19026 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
19027 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
19028 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
19029
19030 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
19031 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
19032 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
19033
19034 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
19035 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
19036 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
19037 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
19038
19039 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
19040 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
19041 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
19042 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
19043 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
19044 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
19045 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
19046 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
19047 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
19048
19049 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
19050 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
19051 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
19052 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
19053 the program you want to debug.
19054
19055 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
19056 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
19057 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
19058 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
19059 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
19060 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
19061
19062 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
19063
19064 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
19065
19066 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
19067 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
19068 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
19069 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
19070 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
19071 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
19072 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
19073 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
19074
19075 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
19076 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
19077 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
19078
19079 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
19080 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
19081 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
19082 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
19083 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
19084 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
19085 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
19086 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
19087 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
19088 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
19089 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
19090 instance closes its port after the first connection.
19091
19092 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
19093 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
19094
19095 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19096 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
19097 status information about the debugging process.
19098 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19099 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
19100 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
19101 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
19102
19103 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
19104 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
19105 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
19106 Possible options are:
19107
19108 @table @code
19109 @item none
19110 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19111 @item all
19112 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19113 @item timestamps
19114 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19115 @end table
19116
19117 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19118 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19119
19120 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
19121 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
19122 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
19123 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
19124 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
19125
19126 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
19127 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
19128 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
19129 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
19130
19131 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
19132 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
19133 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
19134 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
19135
19136 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
19137 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
19138 environment:
19139
19140 @smallexample
19141 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
19142 @end smallexample
19143
19144 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
19145
19146 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
19147
19148 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
19149 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
19150 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
19151 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
19152
19153 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
19154 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
19155 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
19156 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
19157 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
19158 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
19159 programs.
19160
19161 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19162 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
19163 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
19164 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
19165 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
19166 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
19167 already on the target.
19168
19169 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
19170 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
19171 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
19172
19173 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
19174 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
19175 Here are the available commands.
19176
19177 @table @code
19178 @item monitor help
19179 List the available monitor commands.
19180
19181 @item monitor set debug 0
19182 @itemx monitor set debug 1
19183 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
19184
19185 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
19186 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
19187 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
19188 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
19189
19190 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
19191 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
19192 Possible options are:
19193
19194 @table @code
19195 @item none
19196 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19197 @item all
19198 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19199 @item timestamps
19200 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19201 @end table
19202
19203 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19204 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19205
19206 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
19207 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
19208 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
19209 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
19210 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
19211 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
19212
19213 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
19214 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
19215
19216 @item monitor exit
19217 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
19218 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
19219 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
19220 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
19221 of a multi-process mode debug session.
19222
19223 @end table
19224
19225 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19226 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19227
19228 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
19229 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
19230
19231 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
19232 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
19233 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
19234 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
19235 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
19236 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
19237 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
19238 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
19239 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
19240 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
19241 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
19242 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
19243
19244 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
19245
19246 @table @code
19247 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
19248
19249 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
19250 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
19251 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
19252
19253 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
19254
19255 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
19256 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
19257 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
19258 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
19259 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
19260 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
19261
19262 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
19263
19264 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
19265 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
19266 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
19267 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
19268 command for that. For example:
19269
19270 @smallexample
19271 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
19272 @end smallexample
19273
19274 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
19275 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
19276 @end table
19277
19278 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
19279 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
19280 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
19281 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
19282 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
19283 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
19284 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
19285 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
19286 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
19287 @code{gdbserver} like so:
19288
19289 @smallexample
19290 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
19291 @end smallexample
19292
19293 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
19294
19295 @smallexample
19296 $ gdb myprogram
19297 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
19298 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
19299 (@value{GDBP}) b main
19300 (@value{GDBP}) continue
19301 @end smallexample
19302
19303 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
19304 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
19305 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
19306 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
19307 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
19308 tracing.
19309
19310 @node Remote Configuration
19311 @section Remote Configuration
19312
19313 @kindex set remote
19314 @kindex show remote
19315 This section documents the configuration options available when
19316 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
19317 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
19318 system-call-allowed}.
19319
19320 @table @code
19321 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
19322 @cindex address size for remote targets
19323 @cindex bits in remote address
19324 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
19325 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
19326 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
19327 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
19328
19329 @item show remoteaddresssize
19330 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
19331
19332 @item set serial baud @var{n}
19333 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
19334 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
19335 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
19336 remote targets.
19337
19338 @item show serial baud
19339 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
19340
19341 @item set remotebreak
19342 @cindex interrupt remote programs
19343 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
19344 @anchor{set remotebreak}
19345 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
19346 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
19347 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
19348 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
19349 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
19350
19351 @item show remotebreak
19352 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
19353 interrupt the remote program.
19354
19355 @item set remoteflow on
19356 @itemx set remoteflow off
19357 @kindex set remoteflow
19358 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
19359 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
19360
19361 @item show remoteflow
19362 @kindex show remoteflow
19363 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
19364
19365 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
19366 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
19367 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
19368 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
19369 @code{ascii}.
19370
19371 @item show remotelogbase
19372 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
19373 protocol.
19374
19375 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
19376 @cindex record serial communications on file
19377 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
19378 default is not to record at all.
19379
19380 @item show remotelogfile.
19381 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
19382 serial communications.
19383
19384 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
19385 @cindex timeout for serial communications
19386 @cindex remote timeout
19387 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
19388 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
19389
19390 @item show remotetimeout
19391 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
19392 responses.
19393
19394 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
19395 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
19396 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
19397 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
19398 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
19399 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
19400 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
19401 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
19402
19403 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
19404 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
19405 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
19406 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
19407 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
19408 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
19409 as unlimited.
19410
19411 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
19412 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
19413 a remote hardware watchpoint.
19414
19415 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
19416 @itemx show remote exec-file
19417 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
19418 @cindex executable file, for remote target
19419 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
19420 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
19421 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
19422 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
19423
19424 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
19425 @cindex interrupt remote programs
19426 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
19427 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
19428 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
19429 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
19430 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
19431 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
19432 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
19433 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
19434
19435 @item show interrupt-sequence
19436 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
19437 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
19438 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
19439 also known as Magic SysRq g.
19440
19441 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
19442 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
19443 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
19444 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
19445 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
19446 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
19447
19448 @item show interrupt-on-connect
19449 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
19450 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
19451
19452 @kindex set tcp
19453 @kindex show tcp
19454 @item set tcp auto-retry on
19455 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
19456 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
19457 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
19458 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
19459 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
19460 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
19461 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
19462 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
19463
19464 @item set tcp auto-retry off
19465 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
19466
19467 @item show tcp auto-retry
19468 Show the current auto-retry setting.
19469
19470 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
19471 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
19472 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
19473 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
19474 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
19475 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
19476 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
19477 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
19478 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
19479 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
19480 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
19481
19482 @item show tcp connect-timeout
19483 Show the current connection timeout setting.
19484 @end table
19485
19486 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
19487 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
19488 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
19489 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
19490 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
19491 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
19492 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
19493 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
19494 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
19495
19496 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
19497 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
19498 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
19499 @value{GDBN} developers.
19500
19501 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
19502 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
19503 are:
19504
19505 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
19506 @item Command Name
19507 @tab Remote Packet
19508 @tab Related Features
19509
19510 @item @code{fetch-register}
19511 @tab @code{p}
19512 @tab @code{info registers}
19513
19514 @item @code{set-register}
19515 @tab @code{P}
19516 @tab @code{set}
19517
19518 @item @code{binary-download}
19519 @tab @code{X}
19520 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
19521
19522 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
19523 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
19524 @tab @code{info auxv}
19525
19526 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
19527 @tab @code{qSymbol}
19528 @tab Detecting multiple threads
19529
19530 @item @code{attach}
19531 @tab @code{vAttach}
19532 @tab @code{attach}
19533
19534 @item @code{verbose-resume}
19535 @tab @code{vCont}
19536 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
19537
19538 @item @code{run}
19539 @tab @code{vRun}
19540 @tab @code{run}
19541
19542 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
19543 @tab @code{Z0}
19544 @tab @code{break}
19545
19546 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
19547 @tab @code{Z1}
19548 @tab @code{hbreak}
19549
19550 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
19551 @tab @code{Z2}
19552 @tab @code{watch}
19553
19554 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
19555 @tab @code{Z3}
19556 @tab @code{rwatch}
19557
19558 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
19559 @tab @code{Z4}
19560 @tab @code{awatch}
19561
19562 @item @code{target-features}
19563 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
19564 @tab @code{set architecture}
19565
19566 @item @code{library-info}
19567 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
19568 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
19569
19570 @item @code{memory-map}
19571 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
19572 @tab @code{info mem}
19573
19574 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
19575 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
19576 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
19577
19578 @item @code{read-spu-object}
19579 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
19580 @tab @code{info spu}
19581
19582 @item @code{write-spu-object}
19583 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
19584 @tab @code{info spu}
19585
19586 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
19587 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
19588 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
19589
19590 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
19591 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
19592 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
19593
19594 @item @code{threads}
19595 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
19596 @tab @code{info threads}
19597
19598 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
19599 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
19600 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
19601
19602 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
19603 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
19604 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
19605
19606 @item @code{search-memory}
19607 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
19608 @tab @code{find}
19609
19610 @item @code{supported-packets}
19611 @tab @code{qSupported}
19612 @tab Remote communications parameters
19613
19614 @item @code{pass-signals}
19615 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
19616 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
19617
19618 @item @code{program-signals}
19619 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
19620 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
19621
19622 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
19623 @tab @code{vFile:close}
19624 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19625
19626 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
19627 @tab @code{vFile:open}
19628 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19629
19630 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
19631 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
19632 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19633
19634 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
19635 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
19636 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19637
19638 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
19639 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
19640 @tab @code{remote delete}
19641
19642 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
19643 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
19644 @tab Host I/O
19645
19646 @item @code{noack-packet}
19647 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
19648 @tab Packet acknowledgment
19649
19650 @item @code{osdata}
19651 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
19652 @tab @code{info os}
19653
19654 @item @code{query-attached}
19655 @tab @code{qAttached}
19656 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
19657
19658 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
19659 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
19660 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
19661
19662 @item @code{trace-status}
19663 @tab @code{qTStatus}
19664 @tab @code{tstatus}
19665
19666 @item @code{traceframe-info}
19667 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
19668 @tab Traceframe info
19669
19670 @item @code{install-in-trace}
19671 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
19672 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
19673
19674 @item @code{disable-randomization}
19675 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
19676 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
19677
19678 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
19679 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
19680 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
19681 @end multitable
19682
19683 @node Remote Stub
19684 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
19685
19686 @cindex debugging stub, example
19687 @cindex remote stub, example
19688 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
19689 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
19690 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
19691 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
19692 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
19693 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
19694 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
19695 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
19696
19697 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
19698 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
19699 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
19700 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
19701 program, you need:
19702
19703 @enumerate
19704 @item
19705 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
19706 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
19707 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
19708
19709 @item
19710 A C subroutine library to support your program's
19711 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
19712
19713 @item
19714 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
19715 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
19716 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
19717 documentation.
19718 @end enumerate
19719
19720 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
19721 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
19722 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
19723
19724 @table @emph
19725 @item On the host,
19726 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
19727 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
19728 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
19729
19730 @item On the target,
19731 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
19732 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
19733 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
19734
19735 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
19736 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
19737 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
19738 @end table
19739
19740 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
19741 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
19742 @sc{sparc} boards.
19743
19744 @cindex remote serial stub list
19745 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
19746
19747 @table @code
19748
19749 @item i386-stub.c
19750 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
19751 @cindex Intel
19752 @cindex i386
19753 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
19754
19755 @item m68k-stub.c
19756 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
19757 @cindex Motorola 680x0
19758 @cindex m680x0
19759 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
19760
19761 @item sh-stub.c
19762 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
19763 @cindex Renesas
19764 @cindex SH
19765 For Renesas SH architectures.
19766
19767 @item sparc-stub.c
19768 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
19769 @cindex Sparc
19770 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
19771
19772 @item sparcl-stub.c
19773 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
19774 @cindex Fujitsu
19775 @cindex SparcLite
19776 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
19777
19778 @end table
19779
19780 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
19781 recently added stubs.
19782
19783 @menu
19784 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
19785 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
19786 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
19787 @end menu
19788
19789 @node Stub Contents
19790 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
19791
19792 @cindex remote serial stub
19793 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
19794 subroutines:
19795
19796 @table @code
19797 @item set_debug_traps
19798 @findex set_debug_traps
19799 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
19800 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
19801 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
19802 program's startup code.
19803
19804 @item handle_exception
19805 @findex handle_exception
19806 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
19807 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
19808 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
19809 run when a trap is triggered.
19810
19811 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
19812 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
19813 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
19814 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
19815 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
19816 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
19817 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
19818 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
19819 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
19820 machine.
19821
19822 @item breakpoint
19823 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
19824 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
19825 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
19826 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
19827 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
19828 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
19829 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
19830 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
19831 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
19832 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
19833 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
19834
19835 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
19836 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
19837 start of your debugging session.
19838 @end table
19839
19840 @node Bootstrapping
19841 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
19842
19843 @cindex remote stub, support routines
19844 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
19845 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
19846 debugging target machine.
19847
19848 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
19849 serial port.
19850
19851 @table @code
19852 @item int getDebugChar()
19853 @findex getDebugChar
19854 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
19855 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
19856 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19857
19858 @item void putDebugChar(int)
19859 @findex putDebugChar
19860 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
19861 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
19862 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19863 @end table
19864
19865 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
19866 @cindex interrupting remote targets
19867 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
19868 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
19869 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
19870 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
19871 remote system to stop.
19872
19873 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
19874 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
19875 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
19876 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
19877
19878 Other routines you need to supply are:
19879
19880 @table @code
19881 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
19882 @findex exceptionHandler
19883 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
19884 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
19885 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
19886 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
19887 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
19888 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
19889 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
19890 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
19891 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
19892 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
19893 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
19894 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
19895 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
19896
19897 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
19898 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
19899 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
19900 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
19901 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
19902
19903 @item void flush_i_cache()
19904 @findex flush_i_cache
19905 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
19906 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
19907 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
19908
19909 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
19910 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
19911 @end table
19912
19913 @noindent
19914 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
19915
19916 @table @code
19917 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
19918 @findex memset
19919 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
19920 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
19921 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
19922 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
19923 @end table
19924
19925 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
19926 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
19927 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
19928 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
19929
19930
19931 @node Debug Session
19932 @subsection Putting it All Together
19933
19934 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
19935 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
19936 steps.
19937
19938 @enumerate
19939 @item
19940 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
19941 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
19942 @display
19943 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
19944 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
19945 @end display
19946
19947 @item
19948 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
19949 procedure is called:
19950
19951 @smallexample
19952 set_debug_traps();
19953 breakpoint();
19954 @end smallexample
19955
19956 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
19957 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
19958 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
19959 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
19960 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
19961 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
19962 progress.
19963
19964 @item
19965 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
19966 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
19967
19968 @smallexample
19969 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
19970 @end smallexample
19971
19972 @noindent
19973 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
19974 function in your program, that function is called when
19975 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
19976 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
19977 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
19978
19979 @item
19980 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
19981 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
19982
19983 @item
19984 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
19985 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19986
19987 @item
19988 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19989 @c document that. FIXME.
19990 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19991 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19992
19993 @item
19994 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19995 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19996
19997 @end enumerate
19998
19999 @node Configurations
20000 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
20001
20002 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
20003 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
20004 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
20005
20006 There are three major categories of configurations: native
20007 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
20008 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
20009 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
20010 are quite different from each other.
20011
20012 @menu
20013 * Native::
20014 * Embedded OS::
20015 * Embedded Processors::
20016 * Architectures::
20017 @end menu
20018
20019 @node Native
20020 @section Native
20021
20022 This section describes details specific to particular native
20023 configurations.
20024
20025 @menu
20026 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
20027 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
20028 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
20029 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
20030 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
20031 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
20032 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
20033 @end menu
20034
20035 @node HP-UX
20036 @subsection HP-UX
20037
20038 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
20039 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
20040 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
20041
20042
20043 @node BSD libkvm Interface
20044 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
20045
20046 @cindex libkvm
20047 @cindex kernel memory image
20048 @cindex kernel crash dump
20049
20050 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
20051 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
20052 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
20053 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
20054 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
20055 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
20056 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
20057 @code{kvm} target:
20058
20059 @smallexample
20060 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
20061 @end smallexample
20062
20063 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
20064 argument:
20065
20066 @smallexample
20067 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
20068 @end smallexample
20069
20070 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
20071 available:
20072
20073 @table @code
20074 @kindex kvm
20075 @item kvm pcb
20076 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
20077
20078 @item kvm proc
20079 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
20080 modern FreeBSD systems.
20081 @end table
20082
20083 @node SVR4 Process Information
20084 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
20085 @cindex /proc
20086 @cindex examine process image
20087 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
20088
20089 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
20090 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
20091 process using file-system subroutines.
20092
20093 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
20094 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
20095 information about the process running your program, or about any
20096 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
20097 @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris, but not HP-UX, for example.
20098
20099 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
20100 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
20101
20102 @table @code
20103 @kindex info proc
20104 @cindex process ID
20105 @item info proc
20106 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
20107 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
20108 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
20109 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
20110 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
20111 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
20112 executable file's absolute file name.
20113
20114 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
20115 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
20116 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
20117 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
20118 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
20119 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
20120
20121 @item info proc cmdline
20122 @cindex info proc cmdline
20123 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
20124 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20125
20126 @item info proc cwd
20127 @cindex info proc cwd
20128 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
20129 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20130
20131 @item info proc exe
20132 @cindex info proc exe
20133 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
20134 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20135
20136 @item info proc mappings
20137 @cindex memory address space mappings
20138 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
20139 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
20140 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
20141 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
20142 memory access rights to that range.
20143
20144 @item info proc stat
20145 @itemx info proc status
20146 @cindex process detailed status information
20147 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
20148 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
20149 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
20150 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
20151 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
20152 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
20153 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
20154
20155 @item info proc all
20156 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
20157 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
20158
20159 @ignore
20160 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
20161 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
20162 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
20163 @kindex info proc times
20164 @item info proc times
20165 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
20166 its children.
20167
20168 @kindex info proc id
20169 @item info proc id
20170 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
20171 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
20172 @end ignore
20173
20174 @item set procfs-trace
20175 @kindex set procfs-trace
20176 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
20177 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
20178
20179 @item show procfs-trace
20180 @kindex show procfs-trace
20181 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
20182
20183 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
20184 @kindex set procfs-file
20185 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
20186 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
20187 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
20188 standard output.
20189
20190 @item show procfs-file
20191 @kindex show procfs-file
20192 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
20193
20194 @item proc-trace-entry
20195 @itemx proc-trace-exit
20196 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
20197 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
20198 @kindex proc-trace-entry
20199 @kindex proc-trace-exit
20200 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
20201 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
20202 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
20203 from the @code{syscall} interface.
20204
20205 @item info pidlist
20206 @kindex info pidlist
20207 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
20208 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
20209 processes and all the threads within each process.
20210
20211 @item info meminfo
20212 @kindex info meminfo
20213 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
20214 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
20215 @end table
20216
20217 @node DJGPP Native
20218 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
20219 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
20220 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
20221 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
20222
20223 @cindex DPMI
20224 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
20225 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
20226 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
20227 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
20228
20229 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
20230 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
20231 subsection describes those commands.
20232
20233 @table @code
20234 @kindex info dos
20235 @item info dos
20236 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
20237 information about the target system and important OS structures.
20238
20239 @kindex sysinfo
20240 @cindex MS-DOS system info
20241 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
20242 @item info dos sysinfo
20243 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
20244 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
20245 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
20246
20247 @cindex GDT
20248 @cindex LDT
20249 @cindex IDT
20250 @cindex segment descriptor tables
20251 @cindex descriptor tables display
20252 @item info dos gdt
20253 @itemx info dos ldt
20254 @itemx info dos idt
20255 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
20256 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
20257 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
20258 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
20259 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
20260 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
20261 rights.
20262
20263 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
20264 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
20265 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
20266 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
20267 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
20268
20269 @cindex garbled pointers
20270 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
20271 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
20272 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
20273 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
20274 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
20275 debugged program's data segment:
20276
20277 @smallexample
20278 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
20279 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
20280 @end smallexample
20281
20282 @noindent
20283 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
20284 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
20285
20286 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
20287 @item info dos pde
20288 @itemx info dos pte
20289 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
20290 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
20291 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
20292 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
20293 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
20294 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
20295 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
20296 that is currently in use.
20297
20298 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
20299 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
20300 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
20301 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
20302 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
20303 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
20304 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
20305
20306 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
20307 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
20308 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
20309 controller.
20310
20311 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
20312
20313 @cindex physical address from linear address
20314 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
20315 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
20316 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
20317 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
20318 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
20319 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
20320 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
20321
20322 @smallexample
20323 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
20324 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
20325 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
20326 @end smallexample
20327
20328 @noindent
20329 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
20330 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
20331 attributes of that page.
20332
20333 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
20334 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
20335 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
20336 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
20337 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
20338 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
20339
20340 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
20341 transfer buffer:
20342
20343 @smallexample
20344 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
20345 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
20346 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
20347 @end smallexample
20348
20349 @noindent
20350 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
20351 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
20352 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
20353 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
20354 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
20355
20356 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
20357 @end table
20358
20359 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
20360 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
20361 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
20362 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
20363
20364 @table @code
20365 @kindex set com1base
20366 @kindex set com1irq
20367 @kindex set com2base
20368 @kindex set com2irq
20369 @kindex set com3base
20370 @kindex set com3irq
20371 @kindex set com4base
20372 @kindex set com4irq
20373 @item set com1base @var{addr}
20374 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
20375 port.
20376
20377 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
20378 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
20379 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
20380
20381 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
20382 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
20383 other 3 COM ports.
20384
20385 @kindex show com1base
20386 @kindex show com1irq
20387 @kindex show com2base
20388 @kindex show com2irq
20389 @kindex show com3base
20390 @kindex show com3irq
20391 @kindex show com4base
20392 @kindex show com4irq
20393 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
20394 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
20395 lines used by the COM ports.
20396
20397 @item info serial
20398 @kindex info serial
20399 @cindex DOS serial port status
20400 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
20401 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
20402 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
20403 counts of various errors encountered so far.
20404 @end table
20405
20406
20407 @node Cygwin Native
20408 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
20409 @cindex MS Windows debugging
20410 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
20411 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
20412
20413 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
20414 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
20415
20416 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
20417 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
20418 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
20419 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
20420 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
20421 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
20422 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
20423 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
20424
20425 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
20426 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
20427 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
20428
20429 @table @code
20430 @kindex info w32
20431 @item info w32
20432 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
20433 information about the target system and important OS structures.
20434
20435 @item info w32 selector
20436 This command displays information returned by
20437 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
20438 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
20439 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
20440 Without argument, this command displays information
20441 about the six segment registers.
20442
20443 @item info w32 thread-information-block
20444 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
20445 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
20446 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
20447
20448 @kindex info dll
20449 @item info dll
20450 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
20451
20452 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
20453 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
20454 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
20455 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
20456 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
20457 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
20458 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
20459 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
20460 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
20461 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
20462 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
20463
20464 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
20465 @item show cygwin-exceptions
20466 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
20467 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
20468
20469 @kindex set new-console
20470 @item set new-console @var{mode}
20471 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
20472 be started in a new console on next start.
20473 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
20474 be started in the same console as the debugger.
20475
20476 @kindex show new-console
20477 @item show new-console
20478 Displays whether a new console is used
20479 when the debuggee is started.
20480
20481 @kindex set new-group
20482 @item set new-group @var{mode}
20483 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
20484 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
20485 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
20486 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
20487
20488 @kindex show new-group
20489 @item show new-group
20490 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
20491
20492 @kindex set debugevents
20493 @item set debugevents
20494 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
20495 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
20496 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
20497 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
20498 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
20499
20500 @kindex set debugexec
20501 @item set debugexec
20502 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
20503 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
20504
20505 @kindex set debugexceptions
20506 @item set debugexceptions
20507 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
20508 debuggee seen by the debugger.
20509
20510 @kindex set debugmemory
20511 @item set debugmemory
20512 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
20513 and writes by the debugger.
20514
20515 @kindex set shell
20516 @item set shell
20517 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
20518 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
20519
20520 @kindex show shell
20521 @item show shell
20522 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
20523
20524 @end table
20525
20526 @menu
20527 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
20528 @end menu
20529
20530 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
20531 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
20532 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
20533 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
20534
20535 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
20536 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
20537 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
20538 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
20539 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
20540 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
20541 ``minimal symbols''.
20542
20543 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
20544 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
20545 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
20546 program run once to completion.
20547
20548 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
20549
20550 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
20551 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
20552 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
20553 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
20554 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
20555 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
20556 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
20557 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
20558 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
20559
20560 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
20561 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
20562 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
20563 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
20564 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
20565 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
20566
20567 @smallexample
20568 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
20569 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
20570
20571 Non-debugging symbols:
20572 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
20573 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
20574 @end smallexample
20575
20576 @smallexample
20577 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
20578 All functions matching regular expression "!":
20579
20580 Non-debugging symbols:
20581 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
20582 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
20583 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
20584 [etc...]
20585 @end smallexample
20586
20587 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
20588
20589 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
20590 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
20591 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
20592 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
20593 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
20594 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
20595 a function within a DLL without a running program.
20596
20597 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
20598 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
20599 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
20600 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
20601 problem:
20602
20603 @smallexample
20604 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
20605 $1 = 268572168
20606 @end smallexample
20607
20608 @smallexample
20609 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
20610 0x10021610: "\230y\""
20611 @end smallexample
20612
20613 And two possible solutions:
20614
20615 @smallexample
20616 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
20617 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
20618 @end smallexample
20619
20620 @smallexample
20621 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
20622 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
20623 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
20624 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
20625 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
20626 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
20627 @end smallexample
20628
20629 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
20630 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
20631 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
20632 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
20633 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
20634
20635 @smallexample
20636 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
20637 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
20638 @end smallexample
20639
20640 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
20641 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
20642 safe.
20643
20644 @node Hurd Native
20645 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
20646 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
20647
20648 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
20649 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
20650
20651 @table @code
20652 @item set signals
20653 @itemx set sigs
20654 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
20655 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
20656 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
20657 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
20658 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
20659 @code{signals}.
20660
20661 @item show signals
20662 @itemx show sigs
20663 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
20664 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
20665 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
20666
20667 @item set signal-thread
20668 @itemx set sigthread
20669 @kindex set signal-thread
20670 @kindex set sigthread
20671 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
20672 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
20673 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
20674 signal-thread}.
20675
20676 @item show signal-thread
20677 @itemx show sigthread
20678 @kindex show signal-thread
20679 @kindex show sigthread
20680 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
20681 delivered a signal.
20682
20683 @item set stopped
20684 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
20685 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
20686 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
20687 continued by delivering a signal to it.
20688
20689 @item show stopped
20690 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
20691 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
20692 stopped.
20693
20694 @item set exceptions
20695 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
20696 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
20697 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
20698 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
20699 trapping on.
20700
20701 @item show exceptions
20702 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
20703 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
20704
20705 @item set task pause
20706 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
20707 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20708 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20709 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
20710 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
20711 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
20712 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
20713 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
20714 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
20715
20716 @item show task pause
20717 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
20718 Show the current state of task suspension.
20719
20720 @item set task detach-suspend-count
20721 @cindex task suspend count
20722 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20723 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
20724 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
20725
20726 @item show task detach-suspend-count
20727 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
20728
20729 @item set task exception-port
20730 @itemx set task excp
20731 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20732 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
20733 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
20734 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
20735
20736 @item set noninvasive
20737 @cindex noninvasive task options
20738 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
20739 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
20740 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
20741 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
20742
20743 @item info send-rights
20744 @itemx info receive-rights
20745 @itemx info port-rights
20746 @itemx info port-sets
20747 @itemx info dead-names
20748 @itemx info ports
20749 @itemx info psets
20750 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20751 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20752 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20753 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20754 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20755 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
20756 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
20757 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
20758 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
20759
20760 @item set thread pause
20761 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
20762 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20763 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20764 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
20765 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
20766 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
20767 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
20768 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
20769 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
20770 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
20771 only the current thread.
20772
20773 @item show thread pause
20774 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
20775 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
20776
20777 @item set thread run
20778 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20779
20780 @item show thread run
20781 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20782
20783 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
20784 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20785 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20786 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
20787 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
20788 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
20789 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
20790
20791 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
20792 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
20793 detaching.
20794
20795 @item set thread exception-port
20796 @itemx set thread excp
20797 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
20798 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
20799 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
20800
20801 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
20802 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
20803 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
20804 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
20805
20806 @item set thread default
20807 @itemx show thread default
20808 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20809 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
20810 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
20811 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
20812 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
20813 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
20814 the non-default commands.
20815 @end table
20816
20817 @node Darwin
20818 @subsection Darwin
20819 @cindex Darwin
20820
20821 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
20822
20823 @table @code
20824 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
20825 @kindex set debug darwin
20826 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
20827 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
20828
20829 @item show debug darwin
20830 @kindex show debug darwin
20831 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
20832
20833 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
20834 @kindex set debug mach-o
20835 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
20836 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
20837 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
20838 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
20839 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
20840 usage.
20841
20842 @item show debug mach-o
20843 @kindex show debug mach-o
20844 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
20845
20846 @item set mach-exceptions on
20847 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
20848 @kindex set mach-exceptions
20849 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
20850 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
20851 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
20852 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
20853
20854 @item show mach-exceptions
20855 @kindex show mach-exceptions
20856 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
20857 @end table
20858
20859
20860 @node Embedded OS
20861 @section Embedded Operating Systems
20862
20863 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
20864 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
20865 architectures.
20866
20867 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
20868 various real-time operating systems.
20869
20870 @node Embedded Processors
20871 @section Embedded Processors
20872
20873 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20874 configurations.
20875
20876 @cindex send command to simulator
20877 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20878 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20879
20880 @table @code
20881 @item sim @var{command}
20882 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
20883 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20884 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20885 acceptable commands.
20886 @end table
20887
20888
20889 @menu
20890 * ARM:: ARM RDI
20891 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20892 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
20893 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20894 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20895 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20896 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
20897 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20898 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20899 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20900 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
20901 * CRIS:: CRIS
20902 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20903 @end menu
20904
20905 @node ARM
20906 @subsection ARM
20907 @cindex ARM RDI
20908
20909 @table @code
20910 @kindex target rdi
20911 @item target rdi @var{dev}
20912 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20913 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20914 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20915
20916 @kindex target rdp
20917 @item target rdp @var{dev}
20918 ARM Demon monitor.
20919
20920 @end table
20921
20922 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20923
20924 @table @code
20925 @item set arm disassembler
20926 @kindex set arm
20927 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20928 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20929
20930 @item show arm disassembler
20931 @kindex show arm
20932 Show the current disassembly style.
20933
20934 @item set arm apcs32
20935 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20936 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20937
20938 @item show arm apcs32
20939 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20940
20941 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20942 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20943 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20944
20945 @table @code
20946 @item auto
20947 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20948 @item softfpa
20949 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20950 processors.
20951 @item fpa
20952 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20953 @item softvfp
20954 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20955 @item vfp
20956 VFP co-processor.
20957 @end table
20958
20959 @item show arm fpu
20960 Show the current type of the FPU.
20961
20962 @item set arm abi
20963 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20964
20965 @item show arm abi
20966 Show the currently used ABI.
20967
20968 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20969 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20970 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20971 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20972 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20973 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20974 register).
20975
20976 @item show arm fallback-mode
20977 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20978
20979 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20980 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20981 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20982 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20983 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20984
20985 @item show arm force-mode
20986 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20987
20988 @item set debug arm
20989 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20990 target support subsystem.
20991
20992 @item show debug arm
20993 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20994 @end table
20995
20996 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20997 using the RDI interface:
20998
20999 @table @code
21000 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21001 @kindex rdilogfile
21002 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
21003 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
21004 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
21005 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
21006 @file{rdi.log}.
21007
21008 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
21009 @kindex rdilogenable
21010 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
21011 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
21012 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
21013 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
21014 are logged to a file.
21015
21016 @item set rdiromatzero
21017 @kindex set rdiromatzero
21018 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
21019 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
21020 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
21021 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
21022 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
21023
21024 @item show rdiromatzero
21025 @kindex show rdiromatzero
21026 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
21027
21028 @item set rdiheartbeat
21029 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
21030 @cindex RDI heartbeat
21031 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
21032 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
21033 well as the Angel monitor.
21034
21035 @item show rdiheartbeat
21036 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
21037 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
21038 @end table
21039
21040 @table @code
21041 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
21042 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
21043
21044 @table @code
21045 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
21046 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
21047 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
21048 The default value is @code{all}.
21049
21050 @table @code
21051 @item none
21052 @item demon
21053 @item angel
21054 @item redboot
21055 @item all
21056 @end table
21057 @end table
21058 @end table
21059
21060 @node M32R/D
21061 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
21062
21063 @table @code
21064 @kindex target m32r
21065 @item target m32r @var{dev}
21066 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
21067
21068 @kindex target m32rsdi
21069 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
21070 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
21071 @end table
21072
21073 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
21074
21075 @table @code
21076 @item set download-path @var{path}
21077 @kindex set download-path
21078 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
21079 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
21080
21081 @item show download-path
21082 @kindex show download-path
21083 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
21084
21085 @item set board-address @var{addr}
21086 @kindex set board-address
21087 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
21088 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
21089
21090 @item show board-address
21091 @kindex show board-address
21092 Show the current IP address of the target board.
21093
21094 @item set server-address @var{addr}
21095 @kindex set server-address
21096 @cindex download server address (M32R)
21097 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
21098 host machine.
21099
21100 @item show server-address
21101 @kindex show server-address
21102 Display the IP address of the download server.
21103
21104 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21105 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
21106 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
21107 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
21108 executable file is uploaded.
21109
21110 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21111 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
21112 Test the @code{upload} command.
21113 @end table
21114
21115 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
21116
21117 @table @code
21118 @item sdireset
21119 @kindex sdireset
21120 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
21121 This command resets the SDI connection.
21122
21123 @item sdistatus
21124 @kindex sdistatus
21125 This command shows the SDI connection status.
21126
21127 @item debug_chaos
21128 @kindex debug_chaos
21129 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
21130 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
21131
21132 @item use_debug_dma
21133 @kindex use_debug_dma
21134 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
21135
21136 @item use_mon_code
21137 @kindex use_mon_code
21138 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
21139
21140 @item use_ib_break
21141 @kindex use_ib_break
21142 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
21143
21144 @item use_dbt_break
21145 @kindex use_dbt_break
21146 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
21147 @end table
21148
21149 @node M68K
21150 @subsection M68k
21151
21152 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
21153 target command for the following ROM monitor.
21154
21155 @table @code
21156
21157 @kindex target dbug
21158 @item target dbug @var{dev}
21159 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
21160
21161 @end table
21162
21163 @node MicroBlaze
21164 @subsection MicroBlaze
21165 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
21166 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
21167
21168 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
21169 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
21170 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
21171 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
21172 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
21173 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
21174 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
21175 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
21176 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
21177 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
21178 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
21179
21180 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
21181
21182 @table @code
21183 @item target remote :1234
21184 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
21185 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
21186
21187 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
21188 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
21189 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
21190
21191 @item load
21192 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
21193
21194 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
21195 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
21196
21197 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
21198 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
21199 @end table
21200
21201 @node MIPS Embedded
21202 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
21203
21204 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
21205 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
21206 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
21207 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
21208
21209 @need 1000
21210 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
21211
21212 @table @code
21213 @item target mips @var{port}
21214 @kindex target mips @var{port}
21215 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
21216 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
21217 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
21218 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
21219 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
21220 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
21221
21222 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
21223 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
21224 debugger:
21225
21226 @smallexample
21227 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
21228 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
21229 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
21230 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
21231 (@value{GDBP}) run
21232 @end smallexample
21233
21234 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
21235 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
21236 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
21237 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
21238 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
21239
21240 @item target pmon @var{port}
21241 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
21242 PMON ROM monitor.
21243
21244 @item target ddb @var{port}
21245 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
21246 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
21247
21248 @item target lsi @var{port}
21249 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
21250 LSI variant of PMON.
21251
21252 @kindex target r3900
21253 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
21254 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
21255
21256 @kindex target array
21257 @item target array @var{dev}
21258 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
21259
21260 @end table
21261
21262
21263 @noindent
21264 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
21265
21266 @table @code
21267 @item set mipsfpu double
21268 @itemx set mipsfpu single
21269 @itemx set mipsfpu none
21270 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
21271 @itemx show mipsfpu
21272 @kindex set mipsfpu
21273 @kindex show mipsfpu
21274 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
21275 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
21276 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
21277 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
21278 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
21279 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
21280 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
21281 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
21282 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
21283 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
21284 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
21285 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
21286 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
21287
21288 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
21289 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
21290 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
21291
21292 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
21293 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
21294
21295 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
21296 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
21297 @itemx show timeout
21298 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
21299 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21300 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21301 @kindex set timeout
21302 @kindex show timeout
21303 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
21304 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
21305 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
21306 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
21307 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
21308 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
21309 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
21310 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
21311 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
21312 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
21313
21314 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
21315 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
21316 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
21317 to run before stopping.
21318
21319 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
21320 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21321 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
21322 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
21323 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
21324 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
21325
21326 @item show syn-garbage-limit
21327 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21328 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
21329 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
21330
21331 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
21332 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21333 @cindex remote monitor prompt
21334 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
21335 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
21336 @table @asis
21337 @item pmon target
21338 @samp{PMON}
21339 @item ddb target
21340 @samp{NEC010}
21341 @item lsi target
21342 @samp{PMON>}
21343 @end table
21344
21345 @item show monitor-prompt
21346 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21347 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
21348 remote monitor.
21349
21350 @item set monitor-warnings
21351 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21352 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
21353 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
21354 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
21355 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
21356
21357 @item show monitor-warnings
21358 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21359 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
21360
21361 @item pmon @var{command}
21362 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21363 @cindex send PMON command
21364 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
21365 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
21366 @end table
21367
21368 @node PowerPC Embedded
21369 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
21370
21371 @cindex DVC register
21372 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
21373 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
21374
21375 @smallexample
21376 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
21377 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
21378 @end smallexample
21379
21380 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
21381 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
21382 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
21383 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
21384 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
21385 or newer.
21386
21387 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
21388 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
21389 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
21390 watching variables of scalar types.
21391
21392 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
21393 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
21394
21395 @smallexample
21396 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
21397 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
21398 @end smallexample
21399
21400 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
21401 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
21402
21403 @cindex ranged breakpoint
21404 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
21405 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
21406 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
21407 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
21408 use the @code{break-range} command.
21409
21410 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
21411
21412 @table @code
21413 @kindex break-range
21414 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
21415 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
21416 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
21417 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
21418 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
21419 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
21420 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
21421 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
21422 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
21423
21424 @kindex set powerpc
21425 @item set powerpc soft-float
21426 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
21427 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
21428 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
21429 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21430
21431 @item set powerpc vector-abi
21432 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
21433 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
21434 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
21435 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
21436 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
21437 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
21438 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21439
21440 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
21441 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
21442 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
21443 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
21444 address of its first byte.
21445
21446 @kindex target dink32
21447 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
21448 DINK32 ROM monitor.
21449
21450 @kindex target ppcbug
21451 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
21452 @kindex target ppcbug1
21453 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
21454 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
21455
21456 @kindex target sds
21457 @item target sds @var{dev}
21458 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
21459 @end table
21460
21461 @cindex SDS protocol
21462 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
21463 by @value{GDBN}:
21464
21465 @table @code
21466 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
21467 @kindex set sdstimeout
21468 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
21469 default is 2 seconds.
21470
21471 @item show sdstimeout
21472 @kindex show sdstimeout
21473 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
21474
21475 @item sds @var{command}
21476 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
21477 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
21478 @end table
21479
21480
21481 @node PA
21482 @subsection HP PA Embedded
21483
21484 @table @code
21485
21486 @kindex target op50n
21487 @item target op50n @var{dev}
21488 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
21489
21490 @kindex target w89k
21491 @item target w89k @var{dev}
21492 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
21493
21494 @end table
21495
21496 @node Sparclet
21497 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
21498
21499 @cindex Sparclet
21500
21501 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
21502 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
21503 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
21504 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
21505 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
21506
21507 @table @code
21508 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
21509 @kindex remotetimeout
21510 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
21511 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
21512 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
21513 @end table
21514
21515 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
21516 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
21517 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
21518 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
21519 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
21520
21521 @smallexample
21522 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
21523 @end smallexample
21524
21525 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
21526
21527 @smallexample
21528 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
21529 @end smallexample
21530
21531 @cindex running, on Sparclet
21532 Once you have set
21533 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
21534 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
21535 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
21536
21537 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
21538
21539 @smallexample
21540 (gdbslet)
21541 @end smallexample
21542
21543 @menu
21544 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
21545 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
21546 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
21547 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
21548 @end menu
21549
21550 @node Sparclet File
21551 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
21552
21553 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
21554
21555 @smallexample
21556 (gdbslet) file prog
21557 @end smallexample
21558
21559 @need 1000
21560 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
21561 @value{GDBN} locates
21562 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
21563 path.
21564 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
21565 files will be searched as well.
21566 @value{GDBN} locates
21567 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
21568 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
21569 If it fails
21570 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
21571
21572 @smallexample
21573 prog: No such file or directory.
21574 @end smallexample
21575
21576 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
21577 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
21578 @code{target} command again.
21579
21580 @node Sparclet Connection
21581 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
21582
21583 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
21584 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
21585
21586 @smallexample
21587 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
21588 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
21589 main () at ../prog.c:3
21590 @end smallexample
21591
21592 @need 750
21593 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
21594
21595 @smallexample
21596 Connected to ttya.
21597 @end smallexample
21598
21599 @node Sparclet Download
21600 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
21601
21602 @cindex download to Sparclet
21603 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
21604 you can use the @value{GDBN}
21605 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
21606 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
21607 command.
21608 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
21609 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
21610 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
21611 of each of the file's sections.
21612 For instance, if the program
21613 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
21614 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
21615
21616 @smallexample
21617 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
21618 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
21619 @end smallexample
21620
21621 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
21622 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
21623 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
21624
21625 @node Sparclet Execution
21626 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
21627
21628 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
21629 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
21630 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
21631 manual for the list of commands.
21632
21633 @smallexample
21634 (gdbslet) b main
21635 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
21636 (gdbslet) run
21637 Starting program: prog
21638 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
21639 3 char *symarg = 0;
21640 (gdbslet) step
21641 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
21642 (gdbslet)
21643 @end smallexample
21644
21645 @node Sparclite
21646 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
21647
21648 @table @code
21649
21650 @kindex target sparclite
21651 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
21652 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
21653 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
21654 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
21655 remote protocol.
21656
21657 @end table
21658
21659 @node Z8000
21660 @subsection Zilog Z8000
21661
21662 @cindex Z8000
21663 @cindex simulator, Z8000
21664 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
21665
21666 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
21667 a Z8000 simulator.
21668
21669 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
21670 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
21671 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
21672 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
21673
21674 @table @code
21675 @item target sim @var{args}
21676 @kindex sim
21677 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
21678 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
21679 options, specify them via @var{args}.
21680 @end table
21681
21682 @noindent
21683 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
21684 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
21685 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
21686 to run your program, and so on.
21687
21688 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
21689 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
21690 additional items of information as specially named registers:
21691
21692 @table @code
21693
21694 @item cycles
21695 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
21696
21697 @item insts
21698 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
21699
21700 @item time
21701 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
21702
21703 @end table
21704
21705 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
21706 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
21707 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
21708 simulated clock ticks.
21709
21710 @node AVR
21711 @subsection Atmel AVR
21712 @cindex AVR
21713
21714 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
21715 following AVR-specific commands:
21716
21717 @table @code
21718 @item info io_registers
21719 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
21720 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
21721 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
21722 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
21723 @end table
21724
21725 @node CRIS
21726 @subsection CRIS
21727 @cindex CRIS
21728
21729 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
21730 following CRIS-specific commands:
21731
21732 @table @code
21733 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
21734 @cindex CRIS version
21735 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
21736 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
21737 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
21738
21739 @item show cris-version
21740 Show the current CRIS version.
21741
21742 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
21743 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
21744 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
21745 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
21746 @code{R59}.
21747
21748 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
21749 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
21750
21751 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
21752 @cindex CRIS mode
21753 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
21754 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
21755 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
21756
21757 @item show cris-mode
21758 Show the current CRIS mode.
21759 @end table
21760
21761 @node Super-H
21762 @subsection Renesas Super-H
21763 @cindex Super-H
21764
21765 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
21766 commands:
21767
21768 @table @code
21769 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
21770 @kindex set sh calling-convention
21771 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
21772 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
21773 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
21774 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
21775 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
21776 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
21777 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
21778 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
21779 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
21780 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
21781
21782 @item show sh calling-convention
21783 @kindex show sh calling-convention
21784 Show the current calling convention setting.
21785
21786 @end table
21787
21788
21789 @node Architectures
21790 @section Architectures
21791
21792 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21793 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21794
21795 @menu
21796 * AArch64::
21797 * i386::
21798 * Alpha::
21799 * MIPS::
21800 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21801 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21802 * PowerPC::
21803 * Nios II::
21804 @end menu
21805
21806 @node AArch64
21807 @subsection AArch64
21808 @cindex AArch64 support
21809
21810 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21811 following special commands:
21812
21813 @table @code
21814 @item set debug aarch64
21815 @kindex set debug aarch64
21816 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21817 messages are to be displayed.
21818
21819 @item show debug aarch64
21820 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21821
21822 @end table
21823
21824 @node i386
21825 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21826
21827 @table @code
21828 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21829 @kindex set struct-convention
21830 @cindex struct return convention
21831 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21832 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21833 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21834 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21835 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21836 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21837 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21838 be returned in a register.
21839
21840 @item show struct-convention
21841 @kindex show struct-convention
21842 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21843 from functions.
21844 @end table
21845
21846 @subsubsection Intel(R) @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
21847 @cindex Intel(R) Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
21848
21849 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
21850 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
21851 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
21852 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
21853 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
21854 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
21855 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
21856
21857 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
21858 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
21859 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
21860 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
21861 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
21862 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
21863
21864 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
21865 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
21866 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
21867
21868 @smallexample
21869 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
21870 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
21871 @end smallexample
21872
21873 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
21874 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
21875 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
21876 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
21877 the pointer.
21878
21879 @node Alpha
21880 @subsection Alpha
21881
21882 See the following section.
21883
21884 @node MIPS
21885 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21886
21887 @cindex stack on Alpha
21888 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21889 @cindex Alpha stack
21890 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21891 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21892 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21893 find the beginning of a function.
21894
21895 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21896 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21897 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21898 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21899 commands:
21900
21901 @table @code
21902 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21903 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21904 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21905 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21906 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21907 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21908 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21909 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21910
21911 @item show heuristic-fence-post
21912 Display the current limit.
21913 @end table
21914
21915 @noindent
21916 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21917 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21918
21919 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21920 programs:
21921
21922 @table @code
21923 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
21924 @kindex set mips abi
21925 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21926 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21927 values of @var{arg} are:
21928
21929 @table @samp
21930 @item auto
21931 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21932 default).
21933 @item o32
21934 @item o64
21935 @item n32
21936 @item n64
21937 @item eabi32
21938 @item eabi64
21939 @end table
21940
21941 @item show mips abi
21942 @kindex show mips abi
21943 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21944
21945 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
21946 @kindex set mips compression
21947 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21948 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21949 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21950 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21951 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21952 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21953 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21954 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21955 provided by the executable.
21956
21957 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21958 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21959 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21960 identified as such.
21961
21962 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21963 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21964 implicitly from an executable.
21965
21966 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21967 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21968 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21969 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21970 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21971
21972 @item show mips compression
21973 @kindex show mips compression
21974 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21975 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21976
21977 @item set mipsfpu
21978 @itemx show mipsfpu
21979 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21980
21981 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21982 @kindex set mips mask-address
21983 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21984 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21985 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21986 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21987 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21988
21989 @item show mips mask-address
21990 @kindex show mips mask-address
21991 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21992 not.
21993
21994 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21995 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21996 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21997 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21998 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21999 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
22000
22001 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22002 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22003 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
22004
22005 @item set debug mips
22006 @kindex set debug mips
22007 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
22008 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22009
22010 @item show debug mips
22011 @kindex show debug mips
22012 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
22013 @end table
22014
22015
22016 @node HPPA
22017 @subsection HPPA
22018 @cindex HPPA support
22019
22020 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
22021 following special commands:
22022
22023 @table @code
22024 @item set debug hppa
22025 @kindex set debug hppa
22026 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
22027 messages are to be displayed.
22028
22029 @item show debug hppa
22030 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
22031
22032 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
22033 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
22034 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
22035 given @var{address}.
22036
22037 @end table
22038
22039
22040 @node SPU
22041 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
22042 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
22043 @cindex SPU
22044
22045 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
22046 it provides the following special commands:
22047
22048 @table @code
22049 @item info spu event
22050 @kindex info spu
22051 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
22052 and pending event status.
22053
22054 @item info spu signal
22055 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
22056 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
22057 notification channels.
22058
22059 @item info spu mailbox
22060 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
22061 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
22062 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
22063
22064 @item info spu dma
22065 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22066 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22067 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22068
22069 @item info spu proxydma
22070 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22071 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22072 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22073
22074 @end table
22075
22076 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
22077 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
22078 special commands:
22079
22080 @table @code
22081 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
22082 @kindex set spu
22083 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
22084 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
22085 function. The default is @code{off}.
22086
22087 @item show spu stop-on-load
22088 @kindex show spu
22089 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
22090
22091 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
22092 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
22093 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
22094 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
22095 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
22096 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
22097
22098 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
22099 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
22100
22101 @end table
22102
22103 @node PowerPC
22104 @subsection PowerPC
22105 @cindex PowerPC architecture
22106
22107 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
22108 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
22109 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
22110 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
22111 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
22112
22113 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
22114 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
22115 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
22116
22117 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
22118 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
22119
22120 @node Nios II
22121 @subsection Nios II
22122 @cindex Nios II architecture
22123
22124 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
22125 it provides the following special commands:
22126
22127 @table @code
22128
22129 @item set debug nios2
22130 @kindex set debug nios2
22131 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
22132 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22133
22134 @item show debug nios2
22135 @kindex show debug nios2
22136 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
22137 @end table
22138
22139 @node Controlling GDB
22140 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
22141
22142 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
22143 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
22144 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
22145 described here.
22146
22147 @menu
22148 * Prompt:: Prompt
22149 * Editing:: Command editing
22150 * Command History:: Command history
22151 * Screen Size:: Screen size
22152 * Numbers:: Numbers
22153 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
22154 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
22155 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
22156 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
22157 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
22158 @end menu
22159
22160 @node Prompt
22161 @section Prompt
22162
22163 @cindex prompt
22164
22165 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
22166 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
22167 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
22168 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
22169 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
22170 which one you are talking to.
22171
22172 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
22173 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
22174 or a prompt that does not.
22175
22176 @table @code
22177 @kindex set prompt
22178 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
22179 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
22180
22181 @kindex show prompt
22182 @item show prompt
22183 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
22184 @end table
22185
22186 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
22187 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
22188 are:
22189
22190 @table @code
22191 @kindex set extended-prompt
22192 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
22193 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
22194 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
22195 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
22196 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
22197 is displayed.
22198
22199 For example:
22200
22201 @smallexample
22202 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
22203 @end smallexample
22204
22205 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
22206 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
22207
22208 @kindex show extended-prompt
22209 @item show extended-prompt
22210 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
22211 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
22212 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
22213 @end table
22214
22215 @node Editing
22216 @section Command Editing
22217 @cindex readline
22218 @cindex command line editing
22219
22220 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
22221 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
22222 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
22223 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
22224 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
22225 debugging sessions.
22226
22227 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
22228 command @code{set}.
22229
22230 @table @code
22231 @kindex set editing
22232 @cindex editing
22233 @item set editing
22234 @itemx set editing on
22235 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
22236
22237 @item set editing off
22238 Disable command line editing.
22239
22240 @kindex show editing
22241 @item show editing
22242 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
22243 @end table
22244
22245 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22246 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
22247 @end ifset
22248 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22249 @xref{Command Line Editing},
22250 @end ifclear
22251 for more details about the Readline
22252 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
22253 encouraged to read that chapter.
22254
22255 @node Command History
22256 @section Command History
22257 @cindex command history
22258
22259 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
22260 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
22261 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
22262 history facility.
22263
22264 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
22265 package, to provide the history facility.
22266 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22267 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
22268 @end ifset
22269 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22270 @xref{Using History Interactively},
22271 @end ifclear
22272 for the detailed description of the History library.
22273
22274 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
22275 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
22276 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
22277 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
22278 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
22279 pressed on a line by itself.
22280
22281 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
22282 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
22283 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
22284 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
22285
22286 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
22287 history.
22288
22289 @table @code
22290 @cindex history substitution
22291 @cindex history file
22292 @kindex set history filename
22293 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
22294 @item set history filename @var{fname}
22295 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
22296 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
22297 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
22298 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
22299 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
22300 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
22301 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
22302 is not set.
22303
22304 @cindex save command history
22305 @kindex set history save
22306 @item set history save
22307 @itemx set history save on
22308 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
22309 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
22310
22311 @item set history save off
22312 Stop recording command history in a file.
22313
22314 @cindex history size
22315 @kindex set history size
22316 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
22317 @item set history size @var{size}
22318 @itemx set history size unlimited
22319 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
22320 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
22321 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
22322 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
22323 history list is unlimited.
22324 @end table
22325
22326 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
22327 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22328 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
22329 @end ifset
22330 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22331 @xref{Event Designators},
22332 @end ifclear
22333 for more details.
22334
22335 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
22336 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
22337 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
22338 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
22339 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
22340 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
22341 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
22342 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
22343
22344 The commands to control history expansion are:
22345
22346 @table @code
22347 @item set history expansion on
22348 @itemx set history expansion
22349 @kindex set history expansion
22350 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
22351
22352 @item set history expansion off
22353 Disable history expansion.
22354
22355 @c @group
22356 @kindex show history
22357 @item show history
22358 @itemx show history filename
22359 @itemx show history save
22360 @itemx show history size
22361 @itemx show history expansion
22362 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
22363 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
22364 @c @end group
22365 @end table
22366
22367 @table @code
22368 @kindex show commands
22369 @cindex show last commands
22370 @cindex display command history
22371 @item show commands
22372 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
22373
22374 @item show commands @var{n}
22375 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
22376
22377 @item show commands +
22378 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
22379 @end table
22380
22381 @node Screen Size
22382 @section Screen Size
22383 @cindex size of screen
22384 @cindex screen size
22385 @cindex pagination
22386 @cindex page size
22387 @cindex pauses in output
22388
22389 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
22390 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
22391 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
22392 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
22393 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
22394 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
22395 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
22396 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
22397
22398 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
22399 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
22400 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
22401 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
22402 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
22403 width} commands:
22404
22405 @table @code
22406 @kindex set height
22407 @kindex set width
22408 @kindex show width
22409 @kindex show height
22410 @item set height @var{lpp}
22411 @itemx set height unlimited
22412 @itemx show height
22413 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
22414 @itemx set width unlimited
22415 @itemx show width
22416 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
22417 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
22418 commands display the current settings.
22419
22420 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
22421 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
22422 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
22423 buffer.
22424
22425 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
22426 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
22427
22428 @item set pagination on
22429 @itemx set pagination off
22430 @kindex set pagination
22431 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
22432 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
22433 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
22434 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
22435
22436 @item show pagination
22437 @kindex show pagination
22438 Show the current pagination mode.
22439 @end table
22440
22441 @node Numbers
22442 @section Numbers
22443 @cindex number representation
22444 @cindex entering numbers
22445
22446 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
22447 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
22448 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
22449 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
22450 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
22451 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
22452 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
22453 both input and output with the commands described below.
22454
22455 @table @code
22456 @kindex set input-radix
22457 @item set input-radix @var{base}
22458 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
22459 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22460 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
22461 example, any of
22462
22463 @smallexample
22464 set input-radix 012
22465 set input-radix 10.
22466 set input-radix 0xa
22467 @end smallexample
22468
22469 @noindent
22470 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
22471 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
22472 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
22473 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
22474 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
22475 change the radix.
22476
22477 @kindex set output-radix
22478 @item set output-radix @var{base}
22479 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
22480 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22481 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
22482
22483 @kindex show input-radix
22484 @item show input-radix
22485 Display the current default base for numeric input.
22486
22487 @kindex show output-radix
22488 @item show output-radix
22489 Display the current default base for numeric display.
22490
22491 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
22492 @itemx show radix
22493 @kindex set radix
22494 @kindex show radix
22495 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
22496 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
22497 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
22498 default value of 10.
22499
22500 @end table
22501
22502 @node ABI
22503 @section Configuring the Current ABI
22504
22505 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
22506 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
22507 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
22508 current ABI.
22509
22510 @cindex OS ABI
22511 @kindex set osabi
22512 @kindex show osabi
22513 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
22514
22515 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
22516 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
22517 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
22518 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
22519 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
22520 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
22521 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
22522 platform provides.
22523
22524 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
22525 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
22526 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
22527 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
22528
22529 @table @code
22530 @item show osabi
22531 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
22532
22533 @item set osabi
22534 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
22535
22536 @item set osabi @var{abi}
22537 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
22538 @end table
22539
22540 @cindex float promotion
22541
22542 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
22543 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
22544 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
22545 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
22546 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
22547 @code{double} and then passed.
22548
22549 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
22550 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
22551 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
22552
22553 @table @code
22554 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
22555 @item set coerce-float-to-double
22556 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
22557 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
22558 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
22559
22560 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
22561 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
22562 functions.
22563
22564 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
22565 @item show coerce-float-to-double
22566 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
22567 @end table
22568
22569 @kindex set cp-abi
22570 @kindex show cp-abi
22571 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
22572 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
22573 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
22574 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
22575 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
22576 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
22577 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
22578 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
22579 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
22580 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
22581 ``auto''.
22582
22583 @table @code
22584 @item show cp-abi
22585 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
22586
22587 @item set cp-abi
22588 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
22589
22590 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
22591 @itemx set cp-abi auto
22592 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
22593 @end table
22594
22595 @node Auto-loading
22596 @section Automatically loading associated files
22597 @cindex auto-loading
22598
22599 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
22600 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
22601 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
22602 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
22603 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
22604 sources).
22605
22606 @menu
22607 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22608 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
22609
22610 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
22611 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
22612 @end menu
22613
22614 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
22615 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
22616 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
22617
22618 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
22619 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
22620 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22621
22622 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
22623 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
22624
22625 @table @code
22626 @anchor{set auto-load off}
22627 @kindex set auto-load off
22628 @item set auto-load off
22629 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
22630 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
22631 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
22632 @smallexample
22633 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
22634 @end smallexample
22635
22636 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
22637 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
22638 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
22639 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
22640 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
22641 @code{set auto-load no}.
22642
22643 @anchor{show auto-load}
22644 @kindex show auto-load
22645 @item show auto-load
22646 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
22647 or disabled.
22648
22649 @smallexample
22650 (gdb) show auto-load
22651 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
22652 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
22653 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
22654 is on.
22655 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
22656 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22657 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22658 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
22659 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22660 @end smallexample
22661
22662 @anchor{info auto-load}
22663 @kindex info auto-load
22664 @item info auto-load
22665 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
22666 not.
22667
22668 @smallexample
22669 (gdb) info auto-load
22670 gdb-scripts:
22671 Loaded Script
22672 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
22673 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
22674 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
22675 loaded.
22676 python-scripts:
22677 Loaded Script
22678 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
22679 @end smallexample
22680 @end table
22681
22682 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
22683
22684 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
22685 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
22686 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
22687 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
22688 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
22689 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
22690 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
22691 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22692 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22693 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22694 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22695 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22696 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22697 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22698 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22699 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
22700 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22701 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
22702 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22703 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
22704 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22705 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
22706 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22707 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
22708 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22709 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22710 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22711 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
22712 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22713 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
22714 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
22715 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22716 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
22717 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22718 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
22719 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22720 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
22721 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
22722 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
22723 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
22724 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
22725 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
22726 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
22727 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
22728 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
22729 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
22730 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
22731 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
22732 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
22733 @end multitable
22734
22735 @node Init File in the Current Directory
22736 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
22737 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
22738
22739 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
22740 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
22741 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
22742
22743 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
22744 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22745
22746 @table @code
22747 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
22748 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
22749 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
22750 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
22751 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
22752
22753 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
22754 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
22755 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
22756 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22757 current directory is enabled or disabled.
22758
22759 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22760 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
22761 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
22762 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22763 current directory have been auto-loaded.
22764 @end table
22765
22766 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
22767 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
22768 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
22769
22770 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
22771
22772 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
22773 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
22774
22775 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
22776 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
22777 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
22778 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
22779 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
22780 library.
22781
22782 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
22783 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22784
22785 @table @code
22786 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
22787 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
22788 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
22789 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
22790
22791 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
22792 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
22793 @item show auto-load libthread-db
22794 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
22795 enabled or disabled.
22796
22797 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
22798 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
22799 @item info auto-load libthread-db
22800 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
22801 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
22802 @end table
22803
22804 @node Auto-loading safe path
22805 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22806 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
22807
22808 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22809 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22810 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22811 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22812 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22813
22814 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22815 get loaded:
22816
22817 @smallexample
22818 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
22819 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22820 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22821 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22822 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22823 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22824 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22825 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22826 @end smallexample
22827
22828 @noindent
22829 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22830 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22831
22832 @smallexample
22833 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22834 @end smallexample
22835
22836 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22837
22838 @table @code
22839 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22840 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
22841 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22842 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22843 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22844 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22845 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22846 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22847 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22848 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22849
22850 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22851 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22852 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22853
22854 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22855 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
22856 @item show auto-load safe-path
22857 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22858 scripts.
22859
22860 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22861 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22862 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
22863 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
22864 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
22865 by the host platform path separator in use.
22866 @end table
22867
22868 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22869 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22870 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22871 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22872 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22873
22874 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22875 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22876 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22877 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22878 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22879 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22880 init file in the current directory
22881 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22882
22883 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22884 example, you could use one of the following ways:
22885
22886 @table @asis
22887 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22888 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22889 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22890 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22891
22892 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22893 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22894 @value{GDBN} session.
22895
22896 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22897 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22898 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22899 from trusted sources.
22900
22901 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22902 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22903 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22904 trusted sources.
22905 @end table
22906
22907 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22908 also suppresses any such warning messages:
22909
22910 @table @asis
22911 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22912 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22913
22914 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22915 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22916 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22917 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22918 @end table
22919
22920 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22921 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22922 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22923 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22924 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22925 recommended to be entered.
22926
22927 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
22928 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22929 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22930
22931 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22932 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22933 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22934 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22935 be printed.
22936
22937 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22938 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22939 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22940
22941 @smallexample
22942 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
22943 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22944 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22945 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22946 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22947 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22948 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22949 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22950 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22951 @end smallexample
22952
22953 @table @code
22954 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
22955 @kindex set debug auto-load
22956 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22957 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22958
22959 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
22960 @kindex show debug auto-load
22961 @item show debug auto-load
22962 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22963 on or off.
22964 @end table
22965
22966 @node Messages/Warnings
22967 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22968
22969 @cindex verbose operation
22970 @cindex optional warnings
22971 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22972 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22973 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22974 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22975
22976 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22977 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22978 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22979
22980 @table @code
22981 @kindex set verbose
22982 @item set verbose on
22983 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22984
22985 @item set verbose off
22986 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22987
22988 @kindex show verbose
22989 @item show verbose
22990 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22991 @end table
22992
22993 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22994 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22995 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22996 Symbol Files}).
22997
22998 @table @code
22999
23000 @kindex set complaints
23001 @item set complaints @var{limit}
23002 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
23003 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
23004 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
23005 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
23006
23007 @kindex show complaints
23008 @item show complaints
23009 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
23010
23011 @end table
23012
23013 @anchor{confirmation requests}
23014 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
23015 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
23016 you try to run a program which is already running:
23017
23018 @smallexample
23019 (@value{GDBP}) run
23020 The program being debugged has been started already.
23021 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
23022 @end smallexample
23023
23024 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
23025 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
23026
23027 @table @code
23028
23029 @kindex set confirm
23030 @cindex flinching
23031 @cindex confirmation
23032 @cindex stupid questions
23033 @item set confirm off
23034 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
23035 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
23036 automatically disables confirmation requests.
23037
23038 @item set confirm on
23039 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
23040
23041 @kindex show confirm
23042 @item show confirm
23043 Displays state of confirmation requests.
23044
23045 @end table
23046
23047 @cindex command tracing
23048 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
23049 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
23050 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
23051 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
23052
23053 @table @code
23054 @kindex set trace-commands
23055 @cindex command scripts, debugging
23056 @item set trace-commands on
23057 Enable command tracing.
23058 @item set trace-commands off
23059 Disable command tracing.
23060 @item show trace-commands
23061 Display the current state of command tracing.
23062 @end table
23063
23064 @node Debugging Output
23065 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
23066 @cindex optional debugging messages
23067
23068 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
23069 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
23070 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
23071 section documents those commands.
23072
23073 @table @code
23074 @kindex set exec-done-display
23075 @item set exec-done-display
23076 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
23077 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
23078 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
23079 @kindex show exec-done-display
23080 @item show exec-done-display
23081 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
23082 notification.
23083 @kindex set debug
23084 @cindex ARM AArch64
23085 @item set debug aarch64
23086 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
23087 The default is off.
23088 @kindex show debug
23089 @item show debug aarch64
23090 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23091 ARM AArch64.
23092 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
23093 @cindex architecture debugging info
23094 @item set debug arch
23095 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
23096 @item show debug arch
23097 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
23098 @item set debug aix-solib
23099 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
23100 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
23101 support module. The default is off.
23102 @item show debug aix-thread
23103 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
23104 @item set debug aix-thread
23105 @cindex AIX threads
23106 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
23107 module.
23108 @item show debug aix-thread
23109 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
23110 @item set debug check-physname
23111 @cindex physname
23112 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
23113 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
23114 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
23115 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
23116 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
23117 both ways and display any discrepancies.
23118 @item show debug check-physname
23119 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
23120 @item set debug coff-pe-read
23121 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
23122 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
23123 exported symbols. The default is off.
23124 @item show debug coff-pe-read
23125 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23126 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23127 @item set debug dwarf2-die
23128 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
23129 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
23130 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
23131 A value of zero turns off the display.
23132 @item show debug dwarf2-die
23133 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
23134 @item set debug dwarf2-read
23135 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
23136 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
23137 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
23138 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23139 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23140 @item show debug dwarf2-read
23141 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
23142 @item set debug displaced
23143 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
23144 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
23145 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
23146 @item show debug displaced
23147 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
23148 related to displaced stepping.
23149 @item set debug event
23150 @cindex event debugging info
23151 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
23152 default is off.
23153 @item show debug event
23154 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
23155 info.
23156 @item set debug expression
23157 @cindex expression debugging info
23158 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
23159 expression parsing. The default is off.
23160 @item show debug expression
23161 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
23162 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
23163 @item set debug frame
23164 @cindex frame debugging info
23165 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
23166 default is off.
23167 @item show debug frame
23168 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
23169 info.
23170 @item set debug gnu-nat
23171 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
23172 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
23173 @item show debug gnu-nat
23174 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
23175 @item set debug infrun
23176 @cindex inferior debugging info
23177 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
23178 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
23179 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
23180 @item show debug infrun
23181 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
23182 @item set debug jit
23183 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
23184 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
23185 @item show debug jit
23186 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
23187 @item set debug lin-lwp
23188 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
23189 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
23190 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
23191 @item show debug lin-lwp
23192 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
23193 @item set debug mach-o
23194 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
23195 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
23196 processing. The default is off.
23197 @item show debug mach-o
23198 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23199 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23200 @item set debug notification
23201 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
23202 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
23203 The default is off.
23204 @item show debug notification
23205 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
23206 @item set debug observer
23207 @cindex observer debugging info
23208 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
23209 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
23210 @item show debug observer
23211 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
23212 @item set debug overload
23213 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
23214 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
23215 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
23216 is off.
23217 @item show debug overload
23218 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
23219 debugging info.
23220 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
23221 @cindex debug expression parser
23222 @item set debug parser
23223 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
23224 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
23225 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
23226 details. The default is off.
23227 @item show debug parser
23228 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
23229 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
23230 @cindex serial connections, debugging
23231 @cindex debug remote protocol
23232 @cindex remote protocol debugging
23233 @cindex display remote packets
23234 @item set debug remote
23235 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
23236 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
23237 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
23238 @item show debug remote
23239 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
23240 @item set debug serial
23241 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
23242 default is off.
23243 @item show debug serial
23244 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
23245 info.
23246 @item set debug solib-frv
23247 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
23248 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
23249 @item show debug solib-frv
23250 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
23251 messages.
23252 @item set debug symbol-lookup
23253 @cindex symbol lookup
23254 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
23255 The default is 0 (off).
23256 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23257 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23258 @item show debug symbol-lookup
23259 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
23260 @item set debug symfile
23261 @cindex symbol file functions
23262 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
23263 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
23264 @item show debug symfile
23265 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
23266 @item set debug symtab-create
23267 @cindex symbol table creation
23268 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
23269 The default is 0 (off).
23270 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23271 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23272 @item show debug symtab-create
23273 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
23274 @item set debug target
23275 @cindex target debugging info
23276 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
23277 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
23278 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
23279 value of large memory transfers.
23280 @item show debug target
23281 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
23282 info.
23283 @item set debug timestamp
23284 @cindex timestampping debugging info
23285 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
23286 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
23287 message.
23288 @item show debug timestamp
23289 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
23290 debugging info.
23291 @item set debug varobj
23292 @cindex variable object debugging info
23293 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
23294 info. The default is off.
23295 @item show debug varobj
23296 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
23297 debugging info.
23298 @item set debug xml
23299 @cindex XML parser debugging
23300 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
23301 @item show debug xml
23302 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
23303 @end table
23304
23305 @node Other Misc Settings
23306 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
23307 @cindex miscellaneous settings
23308
23309 @table @code
23310 @kindex set interactive-mode
23311 @item set interactive-mode
23312 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
23313 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
23314 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
23315 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
23316 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
23317 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
23318 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
23319 is, non-interactively otherwise.
23320
23321 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
23322 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
23323 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
23324 inside a cygwin window.
23325
23326 @kindex show interactive-mode
23327 @item show interactive-mode
23328 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
23329 @end table
23330
23331 @node Extending GDB
23332 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
23333 @cindex extending GDB
23334
23335 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
23336 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
23337 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
23338 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
23339 being debugged.
23340
23341 @menu
23342 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
23343 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
23344 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
23345 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
23346 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
23347 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
23348 @end menu
23349
23350 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
23351 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
23352 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
23353 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
23354 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23355 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
23356
23357 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
23358 setting:
23359
23360 @table @code
23361 @kindex set script-extension
23362 @kindex show script-extension
23363 @item set script-extension off
23364 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23365
23366 @item set script-extension soft
23367 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23368 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
23369 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
23370 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
23371
23372 @item set script-extension strict
23373 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23374 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
23375 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
23376
23377 @item show script-extension
23378 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
23379
23380 @end table
23381
23382 @node Sequences
23383 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
23384
23385 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
23386 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
23387 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
23388 files.
23389
23390 @menu
23391 * Define:: How to define your own commands
23392 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
23393 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
23394 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
23395 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
23396 @end menu
23397
23398 @node Define
23399 @subsection User-defined Commands
23400
23401 @cindex user-defined command
23402 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
23403 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
23404 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
23405 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
23406 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
23407 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
23408
23409 @smallexample
23410 define adder
23411 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23412 end
23413 @end smallexample
23414
23415 @noindent
23416 To execute the command use:
23417
23418 @smallexample
23419 adder 1 2 3
23420 @end smallexample
23421
23422 @noindent
23423 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
23424 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
23425 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
23426 functions calls.
23427
23428 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
23429 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
23430 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
23431 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
23432
23433 @smallexample
23434 define adder
23435 if $argc == 2
23436 print $arg0 + $arg1
23437 end
23438 if $argc == 3
23439 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23440 end
23441 end
23442 @end smallexample
23443
23444 @table @code
23445
23446 @kindex define
23447 @item define @var{commandname}
23448 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
23449 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
23450 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
23451 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
23452 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
23453 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
23454
23455 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
23456 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
23457 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23458
23459 @kindex document
23460 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
23461 @item document @var{commandname}
23462 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
23463 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
23464 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
23465 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
23466 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
23467 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
23468
23469 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
23470 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
23471 does not change the documentation.
23472
23473 @kindex dont-repeat
23474 @cindex don't repeat command
23475 @item dont-repeat
23476 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
23477 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
23478 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
23479
23480 @kindex help user-defined
23481 @item help user-defined
23482 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
23483 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
23484 included (if any).
23485
23486 @kindex show user
23487 @item show user
23488 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
23489 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
23490 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
23491 definitions for all user-defined commands.
23492 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
23493
23494 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
23495 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
23496 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
23497 @item show max-user-call-depth
23498 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
23499 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
23500 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
23501 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
23502 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
23503 @end table
23504
23505 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
23506 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
23507
23508 When user-defined commands are executed, the
23509 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
23510 stops execution of the user-defined command.
23511
23512 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
23513 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
23514 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
23515 messages when used in a user-defined command.
23516
23517 @node Hooks
23518 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
23519 @cindex command hooks
23520 @cindex hooks, for commands
23521 @cindex hooks, pre-command
23522
23523 @kindex hook
23524 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
23525 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
23526 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
23527 before that command.
23528
23529 @cindex hooks, post-command
23530 @kindex hookpost
23531 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
23532 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
23533 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
23534 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
23535 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
23536
23537 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
23538 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
23539
23540 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
23541 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
23542
23543 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
23544 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
23545 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
23546 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
23547 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
23548
23549 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
23550 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
23551 you could define:
23552
23553 @smallexample
23554 define hook-stop
23555 handle SIGALRM nopass
23556 end
23557
23558 define hook-run
23559 handle SIGALRM pass
23560 end
23561
23562 define hook-continue
23563 handle SIGALRM pass
23564 end
23565 @end smallexample
23566
23567 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
23568 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
23569 you could define:
23570
23571 @smallexample
23572 define hook-echo
23573 echo <<<---
23574 end
23575
23576 define hookpost-echo
23577 echo --->>>\n
23578 end
23579
23580 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
23581 <<<---Hello World--->>>
23582 (@value{GDBP})
23583
23584 @end smallexample
23585
23586 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
23587 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
23588 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
23589 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
23590 @c or not?
23591 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
23592 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
23593 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
23594
23595 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
23596 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
23597 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
23598
23599 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
23600 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
23601
23602 @node Command Files
23603 @subsection Command Files
23604
23605 @cindex command files
23606 @cindex scripting commands
23607 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
23608 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
23609 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
23610 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
23611 terminal.
23612
23613 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
23614 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
23615 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
23616 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
23617 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
23618
23619 @table @code
23620 @kindex source
23621 @cindex execute commands from a file
23622 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
23623 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
23624 @end table
23625
23626 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
23627 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
23628 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
23629 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
23630 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
23631
23632 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
23633 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
23634 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
23635 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
23636 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
23637 is not relevant to scripts.
23638
23639 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
23640 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
23641 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
23642 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
23643 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23644 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
23645 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
23646 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
23647 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23648 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
23649 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
23650 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
23651 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
23652 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
23653
23654 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
23655 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
23656 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
23657
23658 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
23659 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
23660 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
23661 when called from command files.
23662
23663 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
23664 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
23665 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
23666 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
23667 the next command.
23668
23669 @smallexample
23670 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
23671 @end smallexample
23672
23673 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
23674 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
23675 would be directed to @file{log}.
23676
23677 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
23678 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
23679 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
23680 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
23681 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
23682 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
23683 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
23684 conditionally, etc.
23685
23686 @table @code
23687 @kindex if
23688 @kindex else
23689 @item if
23690 @itemx else
23691 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
23692 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
23693 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
23694 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
23695 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
23696 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
23697 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23698
23699 @kindex while
23700 @item while
23701 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
23702 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
23703 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
23704 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
23705 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
23706 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
23707
23708 @kindex loop_break
23709 @item loop_break
23710 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
23711 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
23712 line.
23713
23714 @kindex loop_continue
23715 @item loop_continue
23716 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
23717 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
23718 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
23719 the controlling expression.
23720
23721 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
23722 @item end
23723 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
23724 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
23725 @end table
23726
23727
23728 @node Output
23729 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
23730
23731 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
23732 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
23733 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
23734 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
23735 want.
23736
23737 @table @code
23738 @kindex echo
23739 @item echo @var{text}
23740 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
23741 @c because it is not in ANSI.
23742 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
23743 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
23744 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
23745 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
23746 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
23747 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
23748 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
23749 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
23750 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
23751
23752 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
23753 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
23754
23755 @smallexample
23756 echo This is some text\n\
23757 which is continued\n\
23758 onto several lines.\n
23759 @end smallexample
23760
23761 produces the same output as
23762
23763 @smallexample
23764 echo This is some text\n
23765 echo which is continued\n
23766 echo onto several lines.\n
23767 @end smallexample
23768
23769 @kindex output
23770 @item output @var{expression}
23771 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
23772 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
23773 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
23774 on expressions.
23775
23776 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
23777 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
23778 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
23779 Formats}, for more information.
23780
23781 @kindex printf
23782 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23783 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23784 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
23785 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
23786 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
23787 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
23788 executing the code below:
23789
23790 @smallexample
23791 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
23792 @end smallexample
23793
23794 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
23795 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
23796 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
23797 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
23798 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
23799 printed.
23800
23801 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
23802
23803 @smallexample
23804 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
23805 @end smallexample
23806
23807 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
23808 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
23809 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
23810
23811 @itemize @bullet
23812 @item
23813 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
23814
23815 @item
23816 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
23817 width.
23818
23819 @item
23820 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
23821 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
23822
23823 @item
23824 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23825 supported.
23826
23827 @item
23828 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23829
23830 @item
23831 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23832 @end itemize
23833
23834 @noindent
23835 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23836 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23837 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23838 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23839
23840 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23841 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23842 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23843 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23844 supported.
23845
23846 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23847 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23848 together with a floating point specifier.
23849 letters:
23850
23851 @itemize @bullet
23852 @item
23853 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23854
23855 @item
23856 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23857
23858 @item
23859 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23860 @end itemize
23861
23862 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23863 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23864 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23865
23866 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23867 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23868
23869 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23870 @smallexample
23871 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23872 @end smallexample
23873
23874 @kindex eval
23875 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23876 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23877 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23878
23879 @end table
23880
23881 @node Auto-loading sequences
23882 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
23883 @cindex native script auto-loading
23884
23885 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23886 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23887 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
23888 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
23889
23890 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23891 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23892
23893 @table @code
23894 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
23895 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
23896 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
23897 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
23898
23899 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
23900 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
23901 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
23902 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
23903 disabled.
23904
23905 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
23906 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
23907 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
23908 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
23909 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
23910 auto-loaded.
23911 @end table
23912
23913 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
23914 matching names are printed.
23915
23916 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
23917 @include python.texi
23918
23919 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
23920 @include guile.texi
23921
23922 @node Auto-loading extensions
23923 @section Auto-loading extensions
23924 @cindex auto-loading extensions
23925
23926 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
23927 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23928 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
23929 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
23930 section of modern file formats like ELF.
23931
23932 @menu
23933 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
23934 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23935 * Which flavor to choose?::
23936 @end menu
23937
23938 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23939 debugging commands and features.
23940
23941 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23942 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23943 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
23944 for more information.
23945 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
23946 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
23947
23948 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
23949 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23950
23951 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
23952 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
23953 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
23954 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23955 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
23956
23957 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
23958 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
23959 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
23960 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
23961
23962 @table @code
23963 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
23964 GDB's own command language
23965 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23966 Python
23967 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
23968 Guile
23969 @end table
23970
23971 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
23972 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
23973 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
23974 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
23975 script in the specified extension language.
23976
23977 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23978 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
23979
23980 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
23981 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23982
23983 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
23984 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
23985 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
23986 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
23987 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
23988 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
23989
23990 @table @code
23991 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
23992 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
23993 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
23994 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
23995 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
23996 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
23997
23998 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
23999 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
24000
24001 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
24002 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
24003 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
24004 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
24005
24006 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
24007 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
24008 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
24009 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
24010 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
24011 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
24012 platform.
24013
24014 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
24015 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
24016 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
24017
24018 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
24019 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
24020 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
24021 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24022
24023 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
24024 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
24025 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
24026 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
24027 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
24028 @end table
24029
24030 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
24031 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
24032 @var{objfile} is opened.
24033 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
24034 is evaluated more than once.
24035
24036 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
24037 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24038 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24039
24040 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
24041 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
24042 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24043 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
24044 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
24045 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
24046 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24047
24048 The following entries are supported:
24049
24050 @table @code
24051 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
24052 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
24053 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
24054 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
24055 @end table
24056
24057 @subsubsection Script File Entries
24058
24059 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
24060 in the current directory and then along the source search path
24061 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
24062 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
24063 directory is not relevant to scripts.
24064
24065 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
24066 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
24067
24068 @example
24069 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
24070 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
24071 asm("\
24072 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
24073 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
24074 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
24075 .popsection \n\
24076 ");
24077 @end example
24078
24079 @noindent
24080 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
24081 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
24082
24083 @example
24084 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
24085 @end example
24086
24087 The script name may include directories if desired.
24088
24089 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
24090 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24091
24092 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
24093 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
24094 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
24095 will remove duplicates.
24096
24097 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
24098
24099 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
24100 itself instead of loading it from a file.
24101 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
24102 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
24103 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
24104 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
24105 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
24106 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
24107 on its name.
24108
24109 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
24110 testsuite.
24111
24112 @example
24113 #include "symcat.h"
24114 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
24115 asm(
24116 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
24117 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
24118 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
24119 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
24120 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
24121 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
24122 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
24123 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
24124 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
24125 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
24126 ".byte 0\n"
24127 ".popsection\n"
24128 );
24129 @end example
24130
24131 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
24132 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24133 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
24134 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
24135
24136 @node Which flavor to choose?
24137 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
24138
24139 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
24140 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
24141
24142 @noindent
24143 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
24144
24145 @itemize @bullet
24146 @item
24147 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
24148
24149 @item
24150 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
24151
24152 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
24153 in the source search path.
24154 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
24155 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
24156
24157 @item
24158 Doesn't require source code additions.
24159 @end itemize
24160
24161 @noindent
24162 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
24163
24164 @itemize @bullet
24165 @item
24166 Works with static linking.
24167
24168 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
24169 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
24170 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
24171 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
24172 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
24173
24174 @item
24175 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
24176
24177 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
24178 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
24179
24180 @item
24181 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
24182
24183 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
24184 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
24185 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
24186 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
24187 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
24188 top of the source tree to the source search path.
24189 @end itemize
24190
24191 @node Multiple Extension Languages
24192 @section Multiple Extension Languages
24193
24194 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
24195 and generally do not interfere with each other.
24196 There are some things to be aware of, however.
24197
24198 @subsection Python comes first
24199
24200 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
24201 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
24202 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
24203 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
24204 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
24205 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
24206 pretty-printed form of a value).
24207 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
24208 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
24209 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
24210
24211 @node Aliases
24212 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
24213 @cindex aliases for commands
24214
24215 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
24216 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
24217 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
24218 that involves less typing.
24219
24220 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
24221 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
24222 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
24223
24224 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
24225 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
24226 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
24227
24228 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
24229
24230 @table @code
24231
24232 @kindex alias
24233 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
24234
24235 @end table
24236
24237 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
24238 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
24239 underscores.
24240
24241 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
24242 that is being aliased.
24243
24244 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
24245 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
24246 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
24247
24248 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
24249 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
24250
24251 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
24252 of a command so that there is less to type.
24253 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
24254 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
24255 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
24256 The following will accomplish this.
24257
24258 @smallexample
24259 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
24260 @end smallexample
24261
24262 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
24263 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
24264 for it with the @samp{document} command.
24265 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
24266
24267 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
24268 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
24269 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
24270 of a command.
24271
24272 @smallexample
24273 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
24274 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
24275 (gdb) set p elms 20
24276 (gdb) show p elms
24277 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
24278 @end smallexample
24279
24280 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
24281 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
24282 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
24283
24284 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
24285 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
24286
24287 @smallexample
24288 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
24289 @end smallexample
24290
24291 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
24292 alias for a more complex command.
24293 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
24294
24295 @smallexample
24296 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
24297 (gdb) spe 20
24298 @end smallexample
24299
24300 @node Interpreters
24301 @chapter Command Interpreters
24302 @cindex command interpreters
24303
24304 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24305 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24306 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24307
24308 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24309 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24310 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24311 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24312
24313 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24314 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24315 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24316 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24317
24318 @table @code
24319 @item console
24320 @cindex console interpreter
24321 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24322 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24323 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24324
24325 @item mi
24326 @cindex mi interpreter
24327 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24328 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24329 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24330 Interface}.
24331
24332 @item mi2
24333 @cindex mi2 interpreter
24334 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24335
24336 @item mi1
24337 @cindex mi1 interpreter
24338 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24339
24340 @end table
24341
24342 @cindex invoke another interpreter
24343 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24344 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24345 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24346 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24347 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24348 the IDE inoperable!
24349
24350 @kindex interpreter-exec
24351 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24352 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24353 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24354 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24355
24356 @smallexample
24357 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24358 @end smallexample
24359
24360 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24361 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24362
24363 @node TUI
24364 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24365 @cindex TUI
24366 @cindex Text User Interface
24367
24368 @menu
24369 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24370 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24371 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24372 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24373 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24374 @end menu
24375
24376 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24377 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24378 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24379 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24380 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24381 is available.
24382
24383 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24384 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24385 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24386 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
24387 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24388
24389 @node TUI Overview
24390 @section TUI Overview
24391
24392 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24393
24394 @table @emph
24395 @item command
24396 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24397 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24398 managed using readline.
24399
24400 @item source
24401 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24402 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24403
24404 @item assembly
24405 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24406
24407 @item register
24408 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24409 when their values change.
24410 @end table
24411
24412 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24413 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24414 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24415 indicates the breakpoint type:
24416
24417 @table @code
24418 @item B
24419 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24420
24421 @item b
24422 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24423
24424 @item H
24425 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24426
24427 @item h
24428 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24429 @end table
24430
24431 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24432
24433 @table @code
24434 @item +
24435 Breakpoint is enabled.
24436
24437 @item -
24438 Breakpoint is disabled.
24439 @end table
24440
24441 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24442 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24443 changes.
24444
24445 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24446 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24447 layouts:
24448
24449 @itemize @bullet
24450 @item
24451 source only,
24452
24453 @item
24454 assembly only,
24455
24456 @item
24457 source and assembly,
24458
24459 @item
24460 source and registers, or
24461
24462 @item
24463 assembly and registers.
24464 @end itemize
24465
24466 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24467
24468 @table @emph
24469 @item target
24470 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24471 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24472
24473 @item process
24474 Gives the current process or thread number.
24475 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24476
24477 @item function
24478 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24479 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24480 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24481 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24482
24483 @item line
24484 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24485 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24486
24487 @item pc
24488 Indicates the current program counter address.
24489 @end table
24490
24491 @node TUI Keys
24492 @section TUI Key Bindings
24493 @cindex TUI key bindings
24494
24495 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24496 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24497 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24498 @end ifset
24499 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24500 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24501 @end ifclear
24502 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24503 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24504
24505 @table @kbd
24506 @kindex C-x C-a
24507 @item C-x C-a
24508 @kindex C-x a
24509 @itemx C-x a
24510 @kindex C-x A
24511 @itemx C-x A
24512 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24513 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24514 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24515 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24516 The screen is then refreshed.
24517
24518 @kindex C-x 1
24519 @item C-x 1
24520 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24521 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24522 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24523
24524 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24525
24526 @kindex C-x 2
24527 @item C-x 2
24528 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24529 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24530 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24531 previous layout and the new one.
24532
24533 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24534
24535 @kindex C-x o
24536 @item C-x o
24537 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24538 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24539 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24540
24541 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24542
24543 @kindex C-x s
24544 @item C-x s
24545 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24546 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24547 @end table
24548
24549 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24550
24551 @table @asis
24552 @kindex PgUp
24553 @item @key{PgUp}
24554 Scroll the active window one page up.
24555
24556 @kindex PgDn
24557 @item @key{PgDn}
24558 Scroll the active window one page down.
24559
24560 @kindex Up
24561 @item @key{Up}
24562 Scroll the active window one line up.
24563
24564 @kindex Down
24565 @item @key{Down}
24566 Scroll the active window one line down.
24567
24568 @kindex Left
24569 @item @key{Left}
24570 Scroll the active window one column left.
24571
24572 @kindex Right
24573 @item @key{Right}
24574 Scroll the active window one column right.
24575
24576 @kindex C-L
24577 @item @kbd{C-L}
24578 Refresh the screen.
24579 @end table
24580
24581 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24582 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24583 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24584 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24585 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24586
24587 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24588 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24589 @cindex TUI single key mode
24590
24591 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24592 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24593 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24594
24595 @table @kbd
24596 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24597 @item c
24598 continue
24599
24600 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24601 @item d
24602 down
24603
24604 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24605 @item f
24606 finish
24607
24608 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24609 @item n
24610 next
24611
24612 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24613 @item q
24614 exit the SingleKey mode.
24615
24616 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24617 @item r
24618 run
24619
24620 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24621 @item s
24622 step
24623
24624 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24625 @item u
24626 up
24627
24628 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24629 @item v
24630 info locals
24631
24632 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24633 @item w
24634 where
24635 @end table
24636
24637 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24638 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24639 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24640 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24641 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24642 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24643
24644
24645 @node TUI Commands
24646 @section TUI-specific Commands
24647 @cindex TUI commands
24648
24649 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24650 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24651 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24652 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24653
24654 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24655 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24656 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24657 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24658 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24659
24660 @table @code
24661 @item info win
24662 @kindex info win
24663 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24664
24665 @item layout next
24666 @kindex layout
24667 Display the next layout.
24668
24669 @item layout prev
24670 Display the previous layout.
24671
24672 @item layout src
24673 Display the source window only.
24674
24675 @item layout asm
24676 Display the assembly window only.
24677
24678 @item layout split
24679 Display the source and assembly window.
24680
24681 @item layout regs
24682 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24683
24684 @item focus next
24685 @kindex focus
24686 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24687
24688 @item focus prev
24689 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24690
24691 @item focus src
24692 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24693
24694 @item focus asm
24695 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24696
24697 @item focus regs
24698 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24699
24700 @item focus cmd
24701 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24702
24703 @item refresh
24704 @kindex refresh
24705 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24706
24707 @item tui reg float
24708 @kindex tui reg
24709 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24710
24711 @item tui reg general
24712 Show the general registers in the register window.
24713
24714 @item tui reg next
24715 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24716 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24717 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24718 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24719
24720 @item tui reg system
24721 Show the system registers in the register window.
24722
24723 @item update
24724 @kindex update
24725 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24726
24727 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24728 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24729 @kindex winheight
24730 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24731 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24732 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
24733 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
24734 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
24735
24736 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24737 @kindex tabset
24738 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
24739 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
24740 assembly windows.
24741 @end table
24742
24743 @node TUI Configuration
24744 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24745 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24746
24747 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24748
24749 @table @code
24750 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24751 @kindex set tui border-kind
24752 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24753 The possible values are the following:
24754 @table @code
24755 @item space
24756 Use a space character to draw the border.
24757
24758 @item ascii
24759 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24760
24761 @item acs
24762 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24763 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24764 @end table
24765
24766 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24767 @kindex set tui border-mode
24768 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24769 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24770 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24771 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24772 @table @code
24773 @item normal
24774 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24775
24776 @item standout
24777 Use standout mode.
24778
24779 @item reverse
24780 Use reverse video mode.
24781
24782 @item half
24783 Use half bright mode.
24784
24785 @item half-standout
24786 Use half bright and standout mode.
24787
24788 @item bold
24789 Use extra bright or bold mode.
24790
24791 @item bold-standout
24792 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24793 @end table
24794 @end table
24795
24796 @node Emacs
24797 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24798
24799 @cindex Emacs
24800 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24801 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24802 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24803 @value{GDBN}.
24804
24805 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24806 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24807 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24808 created Emacs buffer.
24809 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24810
24811 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24812 things:
24813
24814 @itemize @bullet
24815 @item
24816 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24817 the GUD buffer.
24818
24819 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24820 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24821
24822 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24823 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24824 in this way.
24825
24826 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24827 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24828 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24829 stop.
24830
24831 @item
24832 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24833
24834 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24835 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24836 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24837 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24838 and the source.
24839
24840 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24841 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24842 @end itemize
24843
24844 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24845 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24846 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24847 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24848
24849 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24850 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24851 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24852 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24853 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24854 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24855 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24856 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24857 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24858
24859 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24860 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24861 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24862 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24863
24864 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24865 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24866 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24867 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24868 one you want.
24869
24870 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24871 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24872
24873 @table @kbd
24874 @item C-h m
24875 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24876
24877 @item C-c C-s
24878 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24879 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24880
24881 @item C-c C-n
24882 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24883 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24884 to show the current file and location.
24885
24886 @item C-c C-i
24887 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24888 display window accordingly.
24889
24890 @item C-c C-f
24891 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24892 @code{finish} command.
24893
24894 @item C-c C-r
24895 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24896 command.
24897
24898 @item C-c <
24899 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24900 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24901 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24902
24903 @item C-c >
24904 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24905 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24906 @end table
24907
24908 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24909 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24910
24911 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24912 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24913 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24914 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24915 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24916 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24917 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24918
24919 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24920 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24921 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24922 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24923 frame.
24924
24925 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24926 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24927 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24928 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24929 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24930 to correspond properly with the code.
24931
24932 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24933 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24934 Emacs Manual}).
24935
24936 @node GDB/MI
24937 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24938
24939 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24940
24941 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24942 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24943 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24944 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24945 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24946 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24947
24948 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24949 in the form of a reference manual.
24950
24951 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24952 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24953 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24954
24955 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24956
24957 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24958 This chapter uses the following notation:
24959
24960 @itemize @bullet
24961 @item
24962 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24963
24964 @item
24965 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24966 it may or may not be given.
24967
24968 @item
24969 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24970 may repeat zero or more times.
24971
24972 @item
24973 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24974 may repeat one or more times.
24975
24976 @item
24977 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24978 @end itemize
24979
24980 @ignore
24981 @heading Dependencies
24982 @end ignore
24983
24984 @menu
24985 * GDB/MI General Design::
24986 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24987 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24988 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24989 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24990 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24991 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24992 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24993 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
24994 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24995 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24996 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
24997 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24998 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24999 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
25000 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
25001 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
25002 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
25003 * GDB/MI File Commands::
25004 @ignore
25005 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
25006 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
25007 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
25008 @end ignore
25009 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
25010 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
25011 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
25012 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
25013 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
25014 @end menu
25015
25016 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25017 @node GDB/MI General Design
25018 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
25019 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
25020
25021 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
25022 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
25023 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
25024 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
25025 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
25026 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
25027 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
25028 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
25029 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
25030 a command and reported as part of that command response.
25031
25032 The important examples of notifications are:
25033 @itemize @bullet
25034
25035 @item
25036 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
25037 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
25038 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
25039 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
25040 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
25041 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
25042 command itself was successfully executed.
25043
25044 @item
25045 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
25046 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
25047 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
25048 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
25049 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
25050 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
25051
25052 @item
25053 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
25054 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
25055 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
25056 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
25057 orthogonal frontend design.
25058
25059 @end itemize
25060
25061 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
25062 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
25063 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
25064 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
25065 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
25066 the user interface.
25067
25068
25069 @menu
25070 * Context management::
25071 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
25072 * Thread groups::
25073 @end menu
25074
25075 @node Context management
25076 @subsection Context management
25077
25078 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
25079
25080 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
25081 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
25082 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
25083 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
25084 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
25085 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
25086 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
25087 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
25088 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
25089
25090 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
25091 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
25092 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
25093 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
25094 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
25095 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
25096 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
25097 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
25098 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
25099 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
25100 for thread and frame to operate on.
25101
25102 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
25103 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
25104 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
25105 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
25106 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
25107 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
25108 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
25109 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
25110 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
25111 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
25112
25113 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
25114 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
25115 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
25116 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
25117 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
25118 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
25119 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
25120 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
25121 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
25122 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
25123 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
25124 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
25125 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
25126 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
25127 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
25128 @samp{--frame} options.
25129
25130 @subsubsection Language
25131
25132 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
25133 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
25134 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
25135 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
25136 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
25137 For instance:
25138
25139 @smallexample
25140 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
25141 ^done,value="4"
25142 (gdb)
25143 @end smallexample
25144
25145 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
25146 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
25147 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
25148
25149 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
25150 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
25151
25152 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
25153 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
25154 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
25155 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
25156 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
25157 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
25158 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
25159 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
25160 @code{-list-target-features} command.
25161
25162 @table @code
25163 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
25164 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
25165 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
25166
25167 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
25168 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
25169 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
25170
25171 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
25172 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
25173 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
25174 MI commands even while the target is running.
25175
25176 @item -gdb-show mi-async
25177 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
25178 @end table
25179
25180 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
25181 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
25182 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
25183 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
25184 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
25185 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
25186
25187 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
25188 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
25189 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
25190 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
25191 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
25192 are running.
25193
25194 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
25195 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
25196 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
25197 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
25198 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
25199 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
25200 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
25201 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
25202 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
25203 @samp{--thread} option).
25204
25205 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
25206 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
25207 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
25208 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
25209
25210 @node Thread groups
25211 @subsection Thread groups
25212 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
25213 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
25214 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
25215 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
25216 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
25217
25218 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
25219 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
25220 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
25221 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
25222 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
25223 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
25224 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
25225 into processes.
25226
25227 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
25228 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
25229 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
25230 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
25231 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
25232 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
25233 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
25234 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
25235 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
25236 the members of specific thread group.
25237
25238 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
25239 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
25240 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
25241 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
25242 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
25243 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
25244 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
25245 after attaching to that thread group.
25246
25247 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
25248 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
25249 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
25250 such thread groups.
25251
25252 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25253 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
25254 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
25255
25256 @menu
25257 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25258 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25259 @end menu
25260
25261 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25262 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25263
25264 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25265 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25266 @table @code
25267 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
25268 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25269
25270 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25271 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25272 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25273
25274 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25275 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25276 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25277
25278 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25279 "any sequence of digits"
25280
25281 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
25282 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25283
25284 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25285 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25286
25287 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25288 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25289
25290 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25291 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25292 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25293
25294 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25295 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25296
25297 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25298 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25299 @end table
25300
25301 @noindent
25302 Notes:
25303
25304 @itemize @bullet
25305 @item
25306 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25307 output is described below.
25308
25309 @item
25310 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25311 finishes.
25312
25313 @item
25314 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25315 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25316 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25317 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25318 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25319 @end itemize
25320
25321 Pragmatics:
25322
25323 @itemize @bullet
25324 @item
25325 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25326
25327 @item
25328 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25329 @end itemize
25330
25331 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25332 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25333
25334 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25335 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25336 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25337 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25338 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25339 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25340
25341 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25342 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25343 @var{token}.
25344
25345 @table @code
25346 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
25347 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25348
25349 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25350 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25351
25352 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25353 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25354
25355 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25356 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25357
25358 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25359 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
25360
25361 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25362 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
25363
25364 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25365 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
25366
25367 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25368 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
25369
25370 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25371 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25372
25373 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25374 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25375 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25376
25377 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
25378 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25379
25380 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25381 @code{ @var{string} }
25382
25383 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25384 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25385
25386 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25387 @code{@var{c-string}}
25388
25389 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25390 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25391
25392 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25393 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25394 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25395
25396 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25397 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25398
25399 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25400 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
25401
25402 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25403 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
25404
25405 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25406 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
25407
25408 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25409 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25410
25411 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25412 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25413 @end table
25414
25415 @noindent
25416 Notes:
25417
25418 @itemize @bullet
25419 @item
25420 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25421
25422 @item
25423 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25424 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25425 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25426 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25427 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25428 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25429 prior command.
25430
25431 @item
25432 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25433 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25434 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25435 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25436
25437 @item
25438 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25439 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25440 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25441 @samp{*}.
25442
25443 @item
25444 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25445 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25446 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25447 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25448
25449 @item
25450 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25451 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25452 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25453 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25454
25455 @item
25456 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25457 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25458 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25459
25460 @item
25461 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25462 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25463 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25464 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25465
25466 @item
25467 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25468 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25469 @var{values}.
25470
25471
25472 @end itemize
25473
25474 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25475 details about the various output records.
25476
25477 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25478 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25479 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25480
25481 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25482 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25483
25484 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25485 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25486 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25487 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25488 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25489 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25490
25491 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25492 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25493 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25494
25495 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25496 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25497 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25498 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25499
25500 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25501 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25502
25503 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25504 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25505 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25506 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25507 might change.
25508
25509 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25510 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25511 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25512 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25513
25514 @itemize @bullet
25515 @item
25516 New MI commands may be added.
25517
25518 @item
25519 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25520
25521 @item
25522 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25523 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25524
25525 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25526 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25527
25528 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25529 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25530 @end itemize
25531
25532 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25533 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25534 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25535 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25536 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25537
25538 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25539 @c version?
25540
25541 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25542 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25543 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25544 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25545 @cindex mailing lists
25546
25547 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25548 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25549 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25550
25551 @menu
25552 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25553 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25554 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25555 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
25556 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25557 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25558 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25559 @end menu
25560
25561 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25562 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25563
25564 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25565 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25566 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25567 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25568
25569 @table @code
25570 @findex ^done
25571 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25572 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25573 values.
25574
25575 @item "^running"
25576 @findex ^running
25577 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25578 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25579 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25580 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25581 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25582 which threads are resumed.
25583
25584 @item "^connected"
25585 @findex ^connected
25586 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25587
25588 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
25589 @findex ^error
25590 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
25591 the corresponding error message.
25592
25593 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
25594 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
25595 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
25596
25597 @table @samp
25598 @item "undefined-command"
25599 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
25600 @end table
25601
25602 @item "^exit"
25603 @findex ^exit
25604 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25605
25606 @end table
25607
25608 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25609 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25610
25611 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25612 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25613 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25614 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25615 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25616
25617 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25618 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25619 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25620 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25621 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25622
25623 @table @code
25624 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25625 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25626 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25627
25628 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25629 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25630 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25631 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25632
25633 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25634 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25635 internals.
25636 @end table
25637
25638 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25639 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25640
25641 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25642 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25643 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25644 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25645 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25646 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25647
25648 The following is the list of possible async records:
25649
25650 @table @code
25651
25652 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25653 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25654 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25655 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25656 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25657 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25658 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25659 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25660 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25661 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25662
25663 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25664 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25665 following values:
25666
25667 @table @code
25668 @item breakpoint-hit
25669 A breakpoint was reached.
25670 @item watchpoint-trigger
25671 A watchpoint was triggered.
25672 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25673 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25674 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25675 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25676 @item function-finished
25677 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25678 @item location-reached
25679 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25680 @item watchpoint-scope
25681 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25682 @item end-stepping-range
25683 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25684 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25685 @item exited-signalled
25686 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25687 @item exited
25688 The inferior exited.
25689 @item exited-normally
25690 The inferior exited normally.
25691 @item signal-received
25692 A signal was received by the inferior.
25693 @item solib-event
25694 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
25695 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
25696 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
25697 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
25698 @item fork
25699 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
25700 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25701 @item vfork
25702 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
25703 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25704 @item syscall-entry
25705 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
25706 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25707 @item syscall-entry
25708 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
25709 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25710 @item exec
25711 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
25712 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25713 @end table
25714
25715 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25716 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25717 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25718 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25719 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25720 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25721 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25722 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25723 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25724 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25725 if such information is not available.
25726
25727 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25728 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25729 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25730 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25731 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25732 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25733 cannot be used in any way.
25734
25735 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25736 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25737 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25738 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25739 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25740 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25741
25742 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25743 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25744 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25745 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25746 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25747 only when the inferior exited with some code.
25748
25749 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25750 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25751 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25752 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25753 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25754
25755 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25756 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25757 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25758 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25759 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25760 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25761 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25762
25763 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25764 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25765 that thread.
25766
25767 @item =library-loaded,...
25768 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25769 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25770 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25771 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25772 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25773 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25774 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25775 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25776 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25777 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25778 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25779 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25780 thread groups.
25781
25782 @item =library-unloaded,...
25783 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25784 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25785 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25786 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25787 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25788 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25789 thread groups.
25790
25791 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
25792 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
25793 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
25794 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
25795 frame is @var{tpnum}.
25796
25797 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
25798 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
25799 initial value @var{initial}.
25800
25801 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
25802 @itemx =tsv-deleted
25803 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
25804 trace state variables are deleted.
25805
25806 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
25807 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
25808 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
25809 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
25810 value of trace state variable is known.
25811
25812 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25813 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25814 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
25815 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25816 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25817 user.
25818
25819 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25820 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
25821 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
25822
25823 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25824 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25825
25826 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
25827 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
25828 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
25829 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
25830 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
25831
25832 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
25833 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
25834 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
25835 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
25836 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
25837 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
25838
25839 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
25840 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
25841 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
25842 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
25843 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
25844 executable code.
25845 @end table
25846
25847 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
25848 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
25849
25850 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
25851 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
25852 following fields:
25853
25854 @table @code
25855 @item number
25856 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
25857 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
25858 @samp{1.2}.
25859
25860 @item type
25861 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
25862 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
25863
25864 @item catch-type
25865 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
25866 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
25867
25868 @item disp
25869 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
25870 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
25871 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
25872
25873 @item enabled
25874 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
25875 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
25876 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
25877
25878 @item addr
25879 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
25880 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
25881 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
25882 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
25883 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
25884
25885 @item func
25886 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
25887 If not known, this field is not present.
25888
25889 @item filename
25890 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
25891 If not known, this field is not present.
25892
25893 @item fullname
25894 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
25895 known. If not known, this field is not present.
25896
25897 @item line
25898 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
25899 If not known, this field is not present.
25900
25901 @item at
25902 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
25903 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
25904 by a symbol name.
25905
25906 @item pending
25907 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
25908 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
25909
25910 @item evaluated-by
25911 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
25912 @samp{target}.
25913
25914 @item thread
25915 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
25916 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
25917
25918 @item task
25919 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
25920 field will hold the task identifier.
25921
25922 @item cond
25923 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
25924
25925 @item ignore
25926 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
25927
25928 @item enable
25929 The enable count of the breakpoint.
25930
25931 @item traceframe-usage
25932 FIXME.
25933
25934 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
25935 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
25936
25937 @item mask
25938 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
25939
25940 @item pass
25941 A tracepoint's pass count.
25942
25943 @item original-location
25944 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
25945 This field is optional.
25946
25947 @item times
25948 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
25949
25950 @item installed
25951 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
25952 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
25953 is not.
25954
25955 @item what
25956 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
25957
25958 @end table
25959
25960 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
25961 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
25962
25963 @smallexample
25964 -> -break-insert main
25965 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25966 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25967 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
25968 times="0"@}
25969 <- (gdb)
25970 @end smallexample
25971
25972 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25973 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25974
25975 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25976 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25977 fields:
25978
25979 @table @code
25980 @item level
25981 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25982 zero. This field is always present.
25983
25984 @item func
25985 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25986 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25987
25988 @item addr
25989 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25990
25991 @item file
25992 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25993 address. This field may be absent.
25994
25995 @item line
25996 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25997 may be absent.
25998
25999 @item from
26000 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
26001 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
26002
26003 @end table
26004
26005 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
26006 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
26007
26008 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
26009 uses a tuple with the following fields:
26010
26011 @table @code
26012 @item id
26013 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
26014 always present.
26015
26016 @item target-id
26017 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
26018
26019 @item details
26020 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
26021 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
26022 frontend. This field is optional.
26023
26024 @item state
26025 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
26026 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
26027
26028 @item core
26029 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
26030 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
26031 @end table
26032
26033 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
26034 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
26035
26036 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
26037 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
26038 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
26039 the @code{exception-name} field.
26040
26041 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26042 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
26043 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
26044 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
26045
26046 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
26047 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
26048 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
26049 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
26050
26051 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
26052 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
26053
26054 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
26055
26056 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
26057 information of the breakpoint.
26058
26059 @smallexample
26060 -> -break-insert main
26061 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26062 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26063 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
26064 times="0"@}
26065 <- (gdb)
26066 @end smallexample
26067
26068 @subheading Program Execution
26069
26070 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
26071 reason that execution stopped.
26072
26073 @smallexample
26074 -> -exec-run
26075 <- ^running
26076 <- (gdb)
26077 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26078 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
26079 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
26080 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
26081 <- (gdb)
26082 -> -exec-continue
26083 <- ^running
26084 <- (gdb)
26085 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26086 <- (gdb)
26087 @end smallexample
26088
26089 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
26090
26091 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
26092
26093 @smallexample
26094 -> (gdb)
26095 <- -gdb-exit
26096 <- ^exit
26097 @end smallexample
26098
26099 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
26100 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
26101 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
26102 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
26103 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
26104 fails to exit in reasonable time.
26105
26106 @subheading A Bad Command
26107
26108 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
26109
26110 @smallexample
26111 -> -rubbish
26112 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
26113 <- (gdb)
26114 @end smallexample
26115
26116
26117 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26118 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
26119 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
26120
26121 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
26122 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
26123
26124 @subheading Motivation
26125
26126 The motivation for this collection of commands.
26127
26128 @subheading Introduction
26129
26130 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
26131
26132 @subheading Commands
26133
26134 For each command in the block, the following is described:
26135
26136 @subsubheading Synopsis
26137
26138 @smallexample
26139 -command @var{args}@dots{}
26140 @end smallexample
26141
26142 @subsubheading Result
26143
26144 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26145
26146 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
26147
26148 @subsubheading Example
26149
26150 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
26151 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
26152
26153
26154 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26155 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
26156 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
26157
26158 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
26159 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
26160 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26161 breakpoints.
26162
26163 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
26164 @findex -break-after
26165
26166 @subsubheading Synopsis
26167
26168 @smallexample
26169 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
26170 @end smallexample
26171
26172 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
26173 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
26174 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
26175 @samp{-break-list} command below.
26176
26177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26178
26179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
26180
26181 @subsubheading Example
26182
26183 @smallexample
26184 (gdb)
26185 -break-insert main
26186 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26187 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26188 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26189 times="0"@}
26190 (gdb)
26191 -break-after 1 3
26192 ~
26193 ^done
26194 (gdb)
26195 -break-list
26196 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26197 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26198 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26199 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26200 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26201 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26202 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26203 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26204 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26205 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26206 (gdb)
26207 @end smallexample
26208
26209 @ignore
26210 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
26211 @findex -break-catch
26212 @end ignore
26213
26214 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
26215 @findex -break-commands
26216
26217 @subsubheading Synopsis
26218
26219 @smallexample
26220 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
26221 @end smallexample
26222
26223 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
26224 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
26225 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
26226 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
26227 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
26228 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
26229
26230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26231
26232 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
26233
26234 @subsubheading Example
26235
26236 @smallexample
26237 (gdb)
26238 -break-insert main
26239 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26240 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26241 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26242 times="0"@}
26243 (gdb)
26244 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
26245 ^done
26246 (gdb)
26247 @end smallexample
26248
26249 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
26250 @findex -break-condition
26251
26252 @subsubheading Synopsis
26253
26254 @smallexample
26255 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26256 @end smallexample
26257
26258 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26259 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26260 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26261 command below).
26262
26263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26264
26265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26266
26267 @subsubheading Example
26268
26269 @smallexample
26270 (gdb)
26271 -break-condition 1 1
26272 ^done
26273 (gdb)
26274 -break-list
26275 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26276 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26277 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26278 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26279 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26280 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26281 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26282 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26283 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26284 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26285 (gdb)
26286 @end smallexample
26287
26288 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26289 @findex -break-delete
26290
26291 @subsubheading Synopsis
26292
26293 @smallexample
26294 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26295 @end smallexample
26296
26297 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26298 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26299
26300 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26301
26302 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26303
26304 @subsubheading Example
26305
26306 @smallexample
26307 (gdb)
26308 -break-delete 1
26309 ^done
26310 (gdb)
26311 -break-list
26312 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26313 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26314 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26315 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26316 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26317 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26318 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26319 body=[]@}
26320 (gdb)
26321 @end smallexample
26322
26323 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26324 @findex -break-disable
26325
26326 @subsubheading Synopsis
26327
26328 @smallexample
26329 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26330 @end smallexample
26331
26332 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26333 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26334
26335 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26336
26337 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26338
26339 @subsubheading Example
26340
26341 @smallexample
26342 (gdb)
26343 -break-disable 2
26344 ^done
26345 (gdb)
26346 -break-list
26347 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26348 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26349 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26350 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26351 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26352 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26353 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26354 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26355 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26356 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26357 (gdb)
26358 @end smallexample
26359
26360 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26361 @findex -break-enable
26362
26363 @subsubheading Synopsis
26364
26365 @smallexample
26366 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26367 @end smallexample
26368
26369 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
26370
26371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26372
26373 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
26374
26375 @subsubheading Example
26376
26377 @smallexample
26378 (gdb)
26379 -break-enable 2
26380 ^done
26381 (gdb)
26382 -break-list
26383 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26384 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26385 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26386 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26387 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26388 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26389 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26390 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26391 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26392 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26393 (gdb)
26394 @end smallexample
26395
26396 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
26397 @findex -break-info
26398
26399 @subsubheading Synopsis
26400
26401 @smallexample
26402 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
26403 @end smallexample
26404
26405 @c REDUNDANT???
26406 Get information about a single breakpoint.
26407
26408 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
26409 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
26410 table.
26411
26412 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26413
26414 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
26415
26416 @subsubheading Example
26417 N.A.
26418
26419 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
26420 @findex -break-insert
26421
26422 @subsubheading Synopsis
26423
26424 @smallexample
26425 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
26426 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26427 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
26428 @end smallexample
26429
26430 @noindent
26431 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26432
26433 @itemize @bullet
26434 @item function
26435 @c @item +offset
26436 @c @item -offset
26437 @c @item linenum
26438 @item filename:linenum
26439 @item filename:function
26440 @item *address
26441 @end itemize
26442
26443 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26444
26445 @table @samp
26446 @item -t
26447 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26448 @item -h
26449 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
26450 @item -f
26451 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
26452 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26453 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26454 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26455 cannot be parsed.
26456 @item -d
26457 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26458 @item -a
26459 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26460 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26461 @item -c @var{condition}
26462 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26463 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26464 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
26465 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26466 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26467 @end table
26468
26469 @subsubheading Result
26470
26471 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26472 resulting breakpoint.
26473
26474 Note: this format is open to change.
26475 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26476
26477 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26478
26479 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26480 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
26481
26482 @subsubheading Example
26483
26484 @smallexample
26485 (gdb)
26486 -break-insert main
26487 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26488 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26489 times="0"@}
26490 (gdb)
26491 -break-insert -t foo
26492 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26493 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26494 times="0"@}
26495 (gdb)
26496 -break-list
26497 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26498 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26499 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26500 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26501 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26502 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26503 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26504 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26505 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26506 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26507 times="0"@},
26508 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26509 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26510 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26511 times="0"@}]@}
26512 (gdb)
26513 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
26514 @c ~int foo(int, int);
26515 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26516 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26517 @c times="0"@}
26518 @c (gdb)
26519 @end smallexample
26520
26521 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
26522 @findex -dprintf-insert
26523
26524 @subsubheading Synopsis
26525
26526 @smallexample
26527 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
26528 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26529 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
26530 [ @var{argument} ]
26531 @end smallexample
26532
26533 @noindent
26534 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26535
26536 @itemize @bullet
26537 @item @var{function}
26538 @c @item +offset
26539 @c @item -offset
26540 @c @item @var{linenum}
26541 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
26542 @item @var{filename}:function
26543 @item *@var{address}
26544 @end itemize
26545
26546 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26547
26548 @table @samp
26549 @item -t
26550 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26551 @item -f
26552 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
26553 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26554 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26555 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26556 cannot be parsed.
26557 @item -d
26558 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26559 @item -c @var{condition}
26560 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26561 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26562 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
26563 to @var{ignore-count}.
26564 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26565 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26566 @end table
26567
26568 @subsubheading Result
26569
26570 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26571 resulting breakpoint.
26572
26573 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26574
26575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26576
26577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
26578
26579 @subsubheading Example
26580
26581 @smallexample
26582 (gdb)
26583 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
26584 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26585 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26586 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
26587 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
26588 original-location="foo"@}
26589 (gdb)
26590 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
26591 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26592 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26593 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
26594 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
26595 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
26596 (gdb)
26597 @end smallexample
26598
26599 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26600 @findex -break-list
26601
26602 @subsubheading Synopsis
26603
26604 @smallexample
26605 -break-list
26606 @end smallexample
26607
26608 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
26609
26610 @table @samp
26611 @item Number
26612 number of the breakpoint
26613 @item Type
26614 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
26615 @item Disposition
26616 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
26617 or @samp{nokeep}
26618 @item Enabled
26619 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
26620 @item Address
26621 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
26622 @item What
26623 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
26624 name, line number
26625 @item Thread-groups
26626 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
26627 @item Times
26628 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
26629 @end table
26630
26631 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
26632 @code{body} field is an empty list.
26633
26634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26635
26636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
26637
26638 @subsubheading Example
26639
26640 @smallexample
26641 (gdb)
26642 -break-list
26643 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26644 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26645 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26646 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26647 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26648 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26649 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26650 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26651 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26652 times="0"@},
26653 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26654 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26655 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26656 (gdb)
26657 @end smallexample
26658
26659 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26660
26661 @smallexample
26662 (gdb)
26663 -break-list
26664 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26665 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26666 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26667 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26668 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26669 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26670 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26671 body=[]@}
26672 (gdb)
26673 @end smallexample
26674
26675 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26676 @findex -break-passcount
26677
26678 @subsubheading Synopsis
26679
26680 @smallexample
26681 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26682 @end smallexample
26683
26684 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26685 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26686 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26687 command @samp{passcount}.
26688
26689 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26690 @findex -break-watch
26691
26692 @subsubheading Synopsis
26693
26694 @smallexample
26695 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26696 @end smallexample
26697
26698 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26699 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26700 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26701 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26702 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26703 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26704 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26705 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26706
26707 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26708 breakpoints inserted.
26709
26710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26711
26712 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26713 @samp{rwatch}.
26714
26715 @subsubheading Example
26716
26717 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26718
26719 @smallexample
26720 (gdb)
26721 -break-watch x
26722 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26723 (gdb)
26724 -exec-continue
26725 ^running
26726 (gdb)
26727 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26728 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26729 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26730 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26731 (gdb)
26732 @end smallexample
26733
26734 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26735 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26736 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
26737
26738 @smallexample
26739 (gdb)
26740 -break-watch C
26741 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
26742 (gdb)
26743 -exec-continue
26744 ^running
26745 (gdb)
26746 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
26747 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26748 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26749 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26750 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26751 (gdb)
26752 -exec-continue
26753 ^running
26754 (gdb)
26755 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26756 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26757 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26758 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26759 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26760 (gdb)
26761 @end smallexample
26762
26763 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26764 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26765 deleted.
26766
26767 @smallexample
26768 (gdb)
26769 -break-watch C
26770 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26771 (gdb)
26772 -break-list
26773 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26774 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26775 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26776 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26777 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26778 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26779 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26780 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26781 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26782 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26783 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
26784 times="1"@},
26785 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26786 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26787 (gdb)
26788 -exec-continue
26789 ^running
26790 (gdb)
26791 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26792 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26793 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26794 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26795 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26796 (gdb)
26797 -break-list
26798 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26799 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26800 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26801 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26802 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26803 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26804 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26805 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26806 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26807 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26808 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
26809 times="1"@},
26810 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26811 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
26812 (gdb)
26813 -exec-continue
26814 ^running
26815 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26816 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26817 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26818 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26819 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26820 (gdb)
26821 -break-list
26822 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26823 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26824 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26825 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26826 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26827 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26828 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26829 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26830 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26831 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26832 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26833 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
26834 (gdb)
26835 @end smallexample
26836
26837
26838 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26839 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26840 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
26841
26842 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26843 catchpoints.
26844
26845 @menu
26846 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26847 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26848 @end menu
26849
26850 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26851 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
26852
26853 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
26854 @findex -catch-load
26855
26856 @subsubheading Synopsis
26857
26858 @smallexample
26859 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
26860 @end smallexample
26861
26862 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
26863 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
26864 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
26865 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
26866 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
26867
26868
26869 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26870
26871 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
26872
26873 @subsubheading Example
26874
26875 @smallexample
26876 -catch-load -t foo.so
26877 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26878 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
26879 (gdb)
26880 @end smallexample
26881
26882
26883 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
26884 @findex -catch-unload
26885
26886 @subsubheading Synopsis
26887
26888 @smallexample
26889 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
26890 @end smallexample
26891
26892 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
26893 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
26894 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
26895 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
26896 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
26897
26898 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26899
26900 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
26901
26902 @subsubheading Example
26903
26904 @smallexample
26905 -catch-unload -d bar.so
26906 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26907 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
26908 (gdb)
26909 @end smallexample
26910
26911 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26912 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
26913
26914 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
26915 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
26916
26917 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
26918 @findex -catch-assert
26919
26920 @subsubheading Synopsis
26921
26922 @smallexample
26923 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
26924 @end smallexample
26925
26926 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
26927
26928 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
26929
26930 @table @samp
26931 @item -c @var{condition}
26932 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26933 @item -d
26934 Create a disabled catchpoint.
26935 @item -t
26936 Create a temporary catchpoint.
26937 @end table
26938
26939 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26940
26941 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
26942
26943 @subsubheading Example
26944
26945 @smallexample
26946 -catch-assert
26947 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26948 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
26949 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
26950 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
26951 (gdb)
26952 @end smallexample
26953
26954 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
26955 @findex -catch-exception
26956
26957 @subsubheading Synopsis
26958
26959 @smallexample
26960 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
26961 [ -t ] [ -u ]
26962 @end smallexample
26963
26964 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
26965 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
26966 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
26967 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
26968 catchpoints.
26969
26970 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
26971
26972 @table @samp
26973 @item -c @var{condition}
26974 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26975 @item -d
26976 Create a disabled catchpoint.
26977 @item -e @var{exception-name}
26978 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
26979 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
26980 @item -t
26981 Create a temporary catchpoint.
26982 @item -u
26983 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
26984 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
26985 @end table
26986
26987 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26988
26989 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
26990 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
26991
26992 @subsubheading Example
26993
26994 @smallexample
26995 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
26996 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26997 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
26998 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
26999 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
27000 (gdb)
27001 @end smallexample
27002
27003 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27004 @node GDB/MI Program Context
27005 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
27006
27007 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
27008 @findex -exec-arguments
27009
27010
27011 @subsubheading Synopsis
27012
27013 @smallexample
27014 -exec-arguments @var{args}
27015 @end smallexample
27016
27017 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
27018 @samp{-exec-run}.
27019
27020 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27021
27022 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
27023
27024 @subsubheading Example
27025
27026 @smallexample
27027 (gdb)
27028 -exec-arguments -v word
27029 ^done
27030 (gdb)
27031 @end smallexample
27032
27033
27034 @ignore
27035 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
27036 @findex -exec-show-arguments
27037
27038 @subsubheading Synopsis
27039
27040 @smallexample
27041 -exec-show-arguments
27042 @end smallexample
27043
27044 Print the arguments of the program.
27045
27046 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27047
27048 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
27049
27050 @subsubheading Example
27051 N.A.
27052 @end ignore
27053
27054
27055 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
27056 @findex -environment-cd
27057
27058 @subsubheading Synopsis
27059
27060 @smallexample
27061 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
27062 @end smallexample
27063
27064 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
27065
27066 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27067
27068 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
27069
27070 @subsubheading Example
27071
27072 @smallexample
27073 (gdb)
27074 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27075 ^done
27076 (gdb)
27077 @end smallexample
27078
27079
27080 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
27081 @findex -environment-directory
27082
27083 @subsubheading Synopsis
27084
27085 @smallexample
27086 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27087 @end smallexample
27088
27089 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
27090 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
27091 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
27092 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27093 occurs as normal.
27094 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27095 multiple directories in a single command
27096 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27097 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27098 If blanks are needed as
27099 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27100 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27101 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27102 character must not be used
27103 in any directory name.
27104 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
27105
27106 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27107
27108 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
27109
27110 @subsubheading Example
27111
27112 @smallexample
27113 (gdb)
27114 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27115 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27116 (gdb)
27117 -environment-directory ""
27118 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27119 (gdb)
27120 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
27121 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
27122 (gdb)
27123 -environment-directory -r
27124 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
27125 (gdb)
27126 @end smallexample
27127
27128
27129 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
27130 @findex -environment-path
27131
27132 @subsubheading Synopsis
27133
27134 @smallexample
27135 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27136 @end smallexample
27137
27138 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
27139 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
27140 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
27141 supplied in addition to the
27142 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27143 occurs as normal.
27144 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27145 multiple directories in a single command
27146 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27147 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27148 If blanks are needed as
27149 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27150 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27151 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27152 character must not be used
27153 in any directory name.
27154 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
27155
27156
27157 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27158
27159 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
27160
27161 @subsubheading Example
27162
27163 @smallexample
27164 (gdb)
27165 -environment-path
27166 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
27167 (gdb)
27168 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
27169 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
27170 (gdb)
27171 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
27172 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
27173 (gdb)
27174 @end smallexample
27175
27176
27177 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
27178 @findex -environment-pwd
27179
27180 @subsubheading Synopsis
27181
27182 @smallexample
27183 -environment-pwd
27184 @end smallexample
27185
27186 Show the current working directory.
27187
27188 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27189
27190 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
27191
27192 @subsubheading Example
27193
27194 @smallexample
27195 (gdb)
27196 -environment-pwd
27197 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
27198 (gdb)
27199 @end smallexample
27200
27201 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27202 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
27203 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
27204
27205
27206 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
27207 @findex -thread-info
27208
27209 @subsubheading Synopsis
27210
27211 @smallexample
27212 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
27213 @end smallexample
27214
27215 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
27216 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
27217 threads. When printing information about all threads,
27218 also reports the current thread.
27219
27220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27221
27222 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
27223 about all threads.
27224
27225 @subsubheading Result
27226
27227 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
27228 defined for a given thread:
27229
27230 @table @samp
27231 @item current
27232 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27233
27234 @item id
27235 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
27236
27237 @item target-id
27238 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
27239
27240 @item details
27241 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
27242 field is optional.
27243
27244 @item name
27245 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
27246 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
27247 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
27248 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
27249 field is omitted.
27250
27251 @item frame
27252 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
27253
27254 @item state
27255 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27256 values:
27257
27258 @table @code
27259 @item stopped
27260 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27261 threads.
27262
27263 @item running
27264 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27265 threads.
27266
27267 @end table
27268
27269 @item core
27270 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27271 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27272
27273 @end table
27274
27275 @subsubheading Example
27276
27277 @smallexample
27278 -thread-info
27279 ^done,threads=[
27280 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27281 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27282 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27283 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27284 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27285 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27286 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27287 state="running"@}],
27288 current-thread-id="1"
27289 (gdb)
27290 @end smallexample
27291
27292 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27293 @findex -thread-list-ids
27294
27295 @subsubheading Synopsis
27296
27297 @smallexample
27298 -thread-list-ids
27299 @end smallexample
27300
27301 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27302 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27303
27304 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27305 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27306
27307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27308
27309 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27310
27311 @subsubheading Example
27312
27313 @smallexample
27314 (gdb)
27315 -thread-list-ids
27316 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27317 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27318 (gdb)
27319 @end smallexample
27320
27321
27322 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27323 @findex -thread-select
27324
27325 @subsubheading Synopsis
27326
27327 @smallexample
27328 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27329 @end smallexample
27330
27331 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27332 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27333
27334 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27335 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
27336
27337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27338
27339 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27340
27341 @subsubheading Example
27342
27343 @smallexample
27344 (gdb)
27345 -exec-next
27346 ^running
27347 (gdb)
27348 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27349 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27350 (gdb)
27351 -thread-list-ids
27352 ^done,
27353 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27354 number-of-threads="3"
27355 (gdb)
27356 -thread-select 3
27357 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
27358 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27359 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27360 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27361 (gdb)
27362 @end smallexample
27363
27364 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27365 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27366 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27367
27368 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27369 @findex -ada-task-info
27370
27371 @subsubheading Synopsis
27372
27373 @smallexample
27374 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27375 @end smallexample
27376
27377 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27378 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27379
27380 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27381
27382 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27383 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27384
27385 @subsubheading Result
27386
27387 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27388 defined for each Ada task:
27389
27390 @table @samp
27391 @item current
27392 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27393
27394 @item id
27395 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27396
27397 @item task-id
27398 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27399
27400 @item thread-id
27401 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27402
27403 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27404 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27405 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27406
27407 @item parent-id
27408 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27409 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27410
27411 @item priority
27412 The base priority of the task.
27413
27414 @item state
27415 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27416 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27417
27418 @item name
27419 The name of the task.
27420
27421 @end table
27422
27423 @subsubheading Example
27424
27425 @smallexample
27426 -ada-task-info
27427 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27428 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27429 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27430 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27431 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27432 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27433 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27434 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27435 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27436 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27437 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27438 (gdb)
27439 @end smallexample
27440
27441 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27442 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
27443 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27444
27445 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27446 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27447 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27448 other cases.
27449
27450 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27451 @findex -exec-continue
27452
27453 @subsubheading Synopsis
27454
27455 @smallexample
27456 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27457 @end smallexample
27458
27459 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27460 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27461 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27462 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27463 @itemize @bullet
27464 @item
27465 breakpoints or watchpoints
27466 @item
27467 signals or exceptions
27468 @item
27469 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27470 @item
27471 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27472 @end itemize
27473 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27474 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27475 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27476 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27477 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27478 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27479
27480 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27481
27482 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27483
27484 @subsubheading Example
27485
27486 @smallexample
27487 -exec-continue
27488 ^running
27489 (gdb)
27490 @@Hello world
27491 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27492 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27493 line="13"@}
27494 (gdb)
27495 @end smallexample
27496
27497
27498 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27499 @findex -exec-finish
27500
27501 @subsubheading Synopsis
27502
27503 @smallexample
27504 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27505 @end smallexample
27506
27507 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27508 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27509 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27510 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27511 function was called.
27512
27513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27514
27515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27516
27517 @subsubheading Example
27518
27519 Function returning @code{void}.
27520
27521 @smallexample
27522 -exec-finish
27523 ^running
27524 (gdb)
27525 @@hello from foo
27526 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27527 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27528 (gdb)
27529 @end smallexample
27530
27531 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27532 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27533 value itself.
27534
27535 @smallexample
27536 -exec-finish
27537 ^running
27538 (gdb)
27539 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27540 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27541 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27542 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27543 (gdb)
27544 @end smallexample
27545
27546
27547 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27548 @findex -exec-interrupt
27549
27550 @subsubheading Synopsis
27551
27552 @smallexample
27553 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27554 @end smallexample
27555
27556 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27557 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27558 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27559 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27560 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27561
27562 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27563 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27564 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27565 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27566
27567 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27568 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27569 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27570 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27571
27572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27573
27574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27575
27576 @subsubheading Example
27577
27578 @smallexample
27579 (gdb)
27580 111-exec-continue
27581 111^running
27582
27583 (gdb)
27584 222-exec-interrupt
27585 222^done
27586 (gdb)
27587 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27588 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27589 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27590 (gdb)
27591
27592 (gdb)
27593 -exec-interrupt
27594 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27595 (gdb)
27596 @end smallexample
27597
27598 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27599 @findex -exec-jump
27600
27601 @subsubheading Synopsis
27602
27603 @smallexample
27604 -exec-jump @var{location}
27605 @end smallexample
27606
27607 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
27608 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
27609 different forms of @var{location}.
27610
27611 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27612
27613 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
27614
27615 @subsubheading Example
27616
27617 @smallexample
27618 -exec-jump foo.c:10
27619 *running,thread-id="all"
27620 ^running
27621 @end smallexample
27622
27623
27624 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
27625 @findex -exec-next
27626
27627 @subsubheading Synopsis
27628
27629 @smallexample
27630 -exec-next [--reverse]
27631 @end smallexample
27632
27633 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27634 of the next source line is reached.
27635
27636 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27637 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
27638 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
27639 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
27640 source line where the function was called.
27641
27642
27643 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27644
27645 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
27646
27647 @subsubheading Example
27648
27649 @smallexample
27650 -exec-next
27651 ^running
27652 (gdb)
27653 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
27654 (gdb)
27655 @end smallexample
27656
27657
27658 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
27659 @findex -exec-next-instruction
27660
27661 @subsubheading Synopsis
27662
27663 @smallexample
27664 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
27665 @end smallexample
27666
27667 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
27668 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
27669 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
27670 printed as well.
27671
27672 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27673 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
27674 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
27675 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
27676 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
27677
27678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27679
27680 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
27681
27682 @subsubheading Example
27683
27684 @smallexample
27685 (gdb)
27686 -exec-next-instruction
27687 ^running
27688
27689 (gdb)
27690 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27691 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
27692 (gdb)
27693 @end smallexample
27694
27695
27696 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
27697 @findex -exec-return
27698
27699 @subsubheading Synopsis
27700
27701 @smallexample
27702 -exec-return
27703 @end smallexample
27704
27705 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
27706 Displays the new current frame.
27707
27708 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27709
27710 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
27711
27712 @subsubheading Example
27713
27714 @smallexample
27715 (gdb)
27716 200-break-insert callee4
27717 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
27718 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27719 (gdb)
27720 000-exec-run
27721 000^running
27722 (gdb)
27723 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27724 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27725 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27726 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27727 (gdb)
27728 205-break-delete
27729 205^done
27730 (gdb)
27731 111-exec-return
27732 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
27733 args=[@{name="strarg",
27734 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27735 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27736 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27737 (gdb)
27738 @end smallexample
27739
27740
27741 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
27742 @findex -exec-run
27743
27744 @subsubheading Synopsis
27745
27746 @smallexample
27747 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
27748 @end smallexample
27749
27750 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
27751 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
27752 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
27753 the program has exited exceptionally.
27754
27755 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
27756 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
27757 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
27758 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
27759 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
27760
27761 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
27762 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
27763 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
27764 (@pxref{Starting}).
27765
27766 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27767
27768 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
27769
27770 @subsubheading Examples
27771
27772 @smallexample
27773 (gdb)
27774 -break-insert main
27775 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27776 (gdb)
27777 -exec-run
27778 ^running
27779 (gdb)
27780 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27781 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27782 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27783 (gdb)
27784 @end smallexample
27785
27786 @noindent
27787 Program exited normally:
27788
27789 @smallexample
27790 (gdb)
27791 -exec-run
27792 ^running
27793 (gdb)
27794 x = 55
27795 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27796 (gdb)
27797 @end smallexample
27798
27799 @noindent
27800 Program exited exceptionally:
27801
27802 @smallexample
27803 (gdb)
27804 -exec-run
27805 ^running
27806 (gdb)
27807 x = 55
27808 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
27809 (gdb)
27810 @end smallexample
27811
27812 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
27813 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
27814
27815 @smallexample
27816 (gdb)
27817 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
27818 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
27819 @end smallexample
27820
27821
27822 @c @subheading -exec-signal
27823
27824
27825 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
27826 @findex -exec-step
27827
27828 @subsubheading Synopsis
27829
27830 @smallexample
27831 -exec-step [--reverse]
27832 @end smallexample
27833
27834 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27835 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
27836 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
27837 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
27838 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
27839 previously executed source line.
27840
27841 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27842
27843 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
27844
27845 @subsubheading Example
27846
27847 Stepping into a function:
27848
27849 @smallexample
27850 -exec-step
27851 ^running
27852 (gdb)
27853 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27854 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
27855 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
27856 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
27857 (gdb)
27858 @end smallexample
27859
27860 Regular stepping:
27861
27862 @smallexample
27863 -exec-step
27864 ^running
27865 (gdb)
27866 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
27867 (gdb)
27868 @end smallexample
27869
27870
27871 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
27872 @findex -exec-step-instruction
27873
27874 @subsubheading Synopsis
27875
27876 @smallexample
27877 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
27878 @end smallexample
27879
27880 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
27881 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
27882 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
27883 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
27884 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
27885 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
27886 as well.
27887
27888 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27889
27890 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
27891
27892 @subsubheading Example
27893
27894 @smallexample
27895 (gdb)
27896 -exec-step-instruction
27897 ^running
27898
27899 (gdb)
27900 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27901 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27902 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27903 (gdb)
27904 -exec-step-instruction
27905 ^running
27906
27907 (gdb)
27908 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27909 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27910 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27911 (gdb)
27912 @end smallexample
27913
27914
27915 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
27916 @findex -exec-until
27917
27918 @subsubheading Synopsis
27919
27920 @smallexample
27921 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
27922 @end smallexample
27923
27924 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
27925 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
27926 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
27927 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
27928
27929 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27930
27931 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
27932
27933 @subsubheading Example
27934
27935 @smallexample
27936 (gdb)
27937 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
27938 ^running
27939 (gdb)
27940 x = 55
27941 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27942 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
27943 (gdb)
27944 @end smallexample
27945
27946 @ignore
27947 @subheading -file-clear
27948 Is this going away????
27949 @end ignore
27950
27951 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27952 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
27953 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
27954
27955 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
27956 @findex -enable-frame-filters
27957
27958 @smallexample
27959 -enable-frame-filters
27960 @end smallexample
27961
27962 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
27963 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
27964 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27965 request that this functionality be enabled.
27966
27967 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27968
27969 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27970 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27971
27972 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
27973 @findex -stack-info-frame
27974
27975 @subsubheading Synopsis
27976
27977 @smallexample
27978 -stack-info-frame
27979 @end smallexample
27980
27981 Get info on the selected frame.
27982
27983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27984
27985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
27986 (without arguments).
27987
27988 @subsubheading Example
27989
27990 @smallexample
27991 (gdb)
27992 -stack-info-frame
27993 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27994 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27995 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
27996 (gdb)
27997 @end smallexample
27998
27999 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
28000 @findex -stack-info-depth
28001
28002 @subsubheading Synopsis
28003
28004 @smallexample
28005 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
28006 @end smallexample
28007
28008 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
28009 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
28010
28011 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28012
28013 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
28014
28015 @subsubheading Example
28016
28017 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
28018
28019 @smallexample
28020 (gdb)
28021 -stack-info-depth
28022 ^done,depth="12"
28023 (gdb)
28024 -stack-info-depth 4
28025 ^done,depth="4"
28026 (gdb)
28027 -stack-info-depth 12
28028 ^done,depth="12"
28029 (gdb)
28030 -stack-info-depth 11
28031 ^done,depth="11"
28032 (gdb)
28033 -stack-info-depth 13
28034 ^done,depth="12"
28035 (gdb)
28036 @end smallexample
28037
28038 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
28039 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
28040 @findex -stack-list-arguments
28041
28042 @subsubheading Synopsis
28043
28044 @smallexample
28045 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28046 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28047 @end smallexample
28048
28049 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
28050 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
28051 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
28052 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
28053 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
28054 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
28055 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
28056 which case only existing frames will be returned.
28057
28058 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28059 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28060 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28061 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28062 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28063 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28064
28065 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
28066 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
28067 are still displayed, however.
28068
28069 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
28070 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28071
28072 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28073
28074 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
28075 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
28076 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
28077
28078 @subsubheading Example
28079
28080 @smallexample
28081 (gdb)
28082 -stack-list-frames
28083 ^done,
28084 stack=[
28085 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28086 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28087 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
28088 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28089 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28090 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
28091 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
28092 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28093 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
28094 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
28095 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28096 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
28097 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
28098 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28099 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
28100 (gdb)
28101 -stack-list-arguments 0
28102 ^done,
28103 stack-args=[
28104 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28105 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
28106 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
28107 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
28108 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28109 (gdb)
28110 -stack-list-arguments 1
28111 ^done,
28112 stack-args=[
28113 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28114 frame=@{level="1",
28115 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28116 frame=@{level="2",args=[
28117 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28118 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28119 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
28120 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28121 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
28122 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
28123 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28124 (gdb)
28125 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
28126 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
28127 (gdb)
28128 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
28129 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
28130 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28131 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
28132 (gdb)
28133 @end smallexample
28134
28135 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
28136
28137
28138 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
28139 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
28140 @findex -stack-list-frames
28141
28142 @subsubheading Synopsis
28143
28144 @smallexample
28145 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28146 @end smallexample
28147
28148 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
28149 following info:
28150
28151 @table @samp
28152 @item @var{level}
28153 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
28154 @item @var{addr}
28155 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
28156 @item @var{func}
28157 Function name.
28158 @item @var{file}
28159 File name of the source file where the function lives.
28160 @item @var{fullname}
28161 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
28162 @item @var{line}
28163 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
28164 @item @var{from}
28165 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
28166 if the frame's function is not known.
28167 @end table
28168
28169 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
28170 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
28171 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
28172 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
28173 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
28174 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
28175 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
28176 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28177 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28178
28179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28180
28181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
28182
28183 @subsubheading Example
28184
28185 Full stack backtrace:
28186
28187 @smallexample
28188 (gdb)
28189 -stack-list-frames
28190 ^done,stack=
28191 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
28192 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
28193 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28194 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28195 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28196 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28197 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28198 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28199 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28200 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28201 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28202 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28203 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28204 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28205 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28206 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28207 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28208 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28209 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28210 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28211 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28212 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28213 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
28214 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
28215 (gdb)
28216 @end smallexample
28217
28218 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
28219
28220 @smallexample
28221 (gdb)
28222 -stack-list-frames 3 5
28223 ^done,stack=
28224 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28225 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28226 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28227 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28228 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28229 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28230 (gdb)
28231 @end smallexample
28232
28233 Show a single frame:
28234
28235 @smallexample
28236 (gdb)
28237 -stack-list-frames 3 3
28238 ^done,stack=
28239 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28240 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28241 (gdb)
28242 @end smallexample
28243
28244
28245 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
28246 @findex -stack-list-locals
28247 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
28248
28249 @subsubheading Synopsis
28250
28251 @smallexample
28252 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28253 @end smallexample
28254
28255 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
28256 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28257 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28258 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28259 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28260 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
28261 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
28262 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
28263 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28264 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28265
28266 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28267 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
28268 variables are still displayed, however.
28269
28270 This command is deprecated in favor of the
28271 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28272
28273 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28274
28275 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
28276
28277 @subsubheading Example
28278
28279 @smallexample
28280 (gdb)
28281 -stack-list-locals 0
28282 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
28283 (gdb)
28284 -stack-list-locals --all-values
28285 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
28286 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
28287 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
28288 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
28289 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
28290 (gdb)
28291 @end smallexample
28292
28293 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
28294 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28295 @findex -stack-list-variables
28296
28297 @subsubheading Synopsis
28298
28299 @smallexample
28300 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28301 @end smallexample
28302
28303 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28304 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28305 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28306 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28307 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28308 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28309 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28310
28311 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28312 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
28313 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
28314
28315 @subsubheading Example
28316
28317 @smallexample
28318 (gdb)
28319 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28320 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28321 (gdb)
28322 @end smallexample
28323
28324
28325 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28326 @findex -stack-select-frame
28327
28328 @subsubheading Synopsis
28329
28330 @smallexample
28331 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28332 @end smallexample
28333
28334 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28335 the stack.
28336
28337 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28338 option to every command.
28339
28340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28341
28342 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28343 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28344
28345 @subsubheading Example
28346
28347 @smallexample
28348 (gdb)
28349 -stack-select-frame 2
28350 ^done
28351 (gdb)
28352 @end smallexample
28353
28354 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28355 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28356 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28357
28358 @ignore
28359
28360 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28361
28362 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28363 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28364 used by @code{Insight}.
28365
28366 The two main reasons for that are:
28367
28368 @enumerate 1
28369 @item
28370 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28371
28372 @item
28373 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28374 now).
28375 @end enumerate
28376
28377 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28378 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28379 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28380 hints about their use.
28381
28382 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28383 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28384 least, the following operations:
28385
28386 @itemize @bullet
28387 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28388 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28389 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28390 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28391 @end itemize
28392
28393 @end ignore
28394
28395 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28396
28397 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28398
28399 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28400 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28401 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28402 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28403 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28404 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28405 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28406 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28407 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28408 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28409 object, or to change display format.
28410
28411 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28412 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28413 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28414 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28415 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28416 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28417 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28418 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28419 child will be created.
28420
28421 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28422 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28423 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28424 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28425 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28426
28427 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28428 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28429 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28430 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28431 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28432 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28433 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28434 variables that frontend has created.
28435
28436 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28437 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28438 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28439 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28440 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28441 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28442 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28443 implicitly updated.
28444
28445 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28446 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28447 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28448 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28449 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28450 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28451 frame. Consider this example:
28452
28453 @smallexample
28454 void do_work(...)
28455 @{
28456 struct work_state state;
28457
28458 if (...)
28459 do_work(...);
28460 @}
28461 @end smallexample
28462
28463 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28464 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28465 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28466 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28467 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28468
28469 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28470 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28471 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28472 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28473 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28474 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28475
28476 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28477 access this functionality:
28478
28479 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28480 @item @strong{Operation}
28481 @tab @strong{Description}
28482
28483 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28484 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28485 @item @code{-var-create}
28486 @tab create a variable object
28487 @item @code{-var-delete}
28488 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28489 @item @code{-var-set-format}
28490 @tab set the display format of this variable
28491 @item @code{-var-show-format}
28492 @tab show the display format of this variable
28493 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28494 @tab tells how many children this object has
28495 @item @code{-var-list-children}
28496 @tab return a list of the object's children
28497 @item @code{-var-info-type}
28498 @tab show the type of this variable object
28499 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
28500 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28501 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28502 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28503 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28504 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28505 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28506 @tab get the value of this variable
28507 @item @code{-var-assign}
28508 @tab set the value of this variable
28509 @item @code{-var-update}
28510 @tab update the variable and its children
28511 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28512 @tab set frozeness attribute
28513 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28514 @tab set range of children to display on update
28515 @end multitable
28516
28517 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28518 how it can be used.
28519
28520 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28521
28522 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28523 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
28524
28525 @smallexample
28526 -enable-pretty-printing
28527 @end smallexample
28528
28529 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28530 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28531 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28532 request that this functionality be enabled.
28533
28534 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28535
28536 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28537 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28538
28539 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28540 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28541
28542 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28543 @findex -var-create
28544
28545 @subsubheading Synopsis
28546
28547 @smallexample
28548 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28549 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28550 @end smallexample
28551
28552 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28553 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28554 register.
28555
28556 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28557 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28558 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28559 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28560 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28561
28562 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28563 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28564 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28565 object must be created.
28566
28567 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28568 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28569
28570 @itemize @bullet
28571 @item
28572 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28573
28574 @item
28575 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28576
28577 @item
28578 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28579 @end itemize
28580
28581 @cindex dynamic varobj
28582 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28583 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28584 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28585 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28586 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28587 compatibility for existing clients.
28588
28589 @subsubheading Result
28590
28591 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28592 are:
28593
28594 @table @samp
28595 @item name
28596 The name of the varobj.
28597
28598 @item numchild
28599 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28600 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28601 @samp{has_more} attribute.
28602
28603 @item value
28604 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
28605 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
28606 will not be interesting.
28607
28608 @item type
28609 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
28610 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
28611 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
28612 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
28613 @emph{declared} one.
28614
28615 @item thread-id
28616 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
28617 thread's identifier.
28618
28619 @item has_more
28620 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
28621 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
28622
28623 @item dynamic
28624 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28625 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28626 then this attribute will not be present.
28627
28628 @item displayhint
28629 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28630 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28631 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28632 @end table
28633
28634 Typical output will look like this:
28635
28636 @smallexample
28637 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
28638 has_more="@var{has_more}"
28639 @end smallexample
28640
28641
28642 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
28643 @findex -var-delete
28644
28645 @subsubheading Synopsis
28646
28647 @smallexample
28648 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
28649 @end smallexample
28650
28651 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
28652 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
28653
28654 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
28655
28656
28657 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
28658 @findex -var-set-format
28659
28660 @subsubheading Synopsis
28661
28662 @smallexample
28663 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
28664 @end smallexample
28665
28666 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
28667 @var{format-spec}.
28668
28669 @anchor{-var-set-format}
28670 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
28671
28672 @smallexample
28673 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
28674 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
28675 @end smallexample
28676
28677 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
28678 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
28679 for pointers, etc.).
28680
28681 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
28682 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
28683
28684 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
28685 @findex -var-show-format
28686
28687 @subsubheading Synopsis
28688
28689 @smallexample
28690 -var-show-format @var{name}
28691 @end smallexample
28692
28693 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
28694
28695 @smallexample
28696 @var{format} @expansion{}
28697 @var{format-spec}
28698 @end smallexample
28699
28700
28701 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
28702 @findex -var-info-num-children
28703
28704 @subsubheading Synopsis
28705
28706 @smallexample
28707 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
28708 @end smallexample
28709
28710 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
28711
28712 @smallexample
28713 numchild=@var{n}
28714 @end smallexample
28715
28716 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
28717 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
28718 be available.
28719
28720
28721 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
28722 @findex -var-list-children
28723
28724 @subsubheading Synopsis
28725
28726 @smallexample
28727 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
28728 @end smallexample
28729 @anchor{-var-list-children}
28730
28731 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
28732 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
28733 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
28734 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
28735 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
28736 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
28737 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
28738 and unions.
28739
28740 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
28741 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
28742 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
28743 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
28744 reported.
28745
28746 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
28747 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
28748 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
28749 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
28750 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
28751 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
28752 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
28753 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
28754 the visible items.
28755
28756 For each child the following results are returned:
28757
28758 @table @var
28759
28760 @item name
28761 Name of the variable object created for this child.
28762
28763 @item exp
28764 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
28765 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
28766
28767 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
28768 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
28769
28770 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
28771 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
28772 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
28773 type and value are not present.
28774
28775 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
28776 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
28777 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
28778
28779 @item numchild
28780 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
28781 0.
28782
28783 @item type
28784 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
28785 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
28786 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
28787 @emph{declared} one.
28788
28789 @item value
28790 If values were requested, this is the value.
28791
28792 @item thread-id
28793 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
28794 Otherwise this result is not present.
28795
28796 @item frozen
28797 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
28798
28799 @item displayhint
28800 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28801 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28802 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28803
28804 @item dynamic
28805 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28806 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28807 then this attribute will not be present.
28808
28809 @end table
28810
28811 The result may have its own attributes:
28812
28813 @table @samp
28814 @item displayhint
28815 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28816 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28817 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28818
28819 @item has_more
28820 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
28821 remaining after the end of the selected range.
28822 @end table
28823
28824 @subsubheading Example
28825
28826 @smallexample
28827 (gdb)
28828 -var-list-children n
28829 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28830 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28831 (gdb)
28832 -var-list-children --all-values n
28833 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28834 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28835 @end smallexample
28836
28837
28838 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
28839 @findex -var-info-type
28840
28841 @subsubheading Synopsis
28842
28843 @smallexample
28844 -var-info-type @var{name}
28845 @end smallexample
28846
28847 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
28848 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
28849 @value{GDBN} CLI:
28850
28851 @smallexample
28852 type=@var{typename}
28853 @end smallexample
28854
28855
28856 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
28857 @findex -var-info-expression
28858
28859 @subsubheading Synopsis
28860
28861 @smallexample
28862 -var-info-expression @var{name}
28863 @end smallexample
28864
28865 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
28866 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
28867 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
28868
28869 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
28870 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
28871
28872 @smallexample
28873 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
28874 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
28875 @end smallexample
28876
28877 @noindent
28878 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
28879 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
28880
28881 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
28882 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
28883 is of limited use.
28884
28885 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
28886 @findex -var-info-path-expression
28887
28888 @subsubheading Synopsis
28889
28890 @smallexample
28891 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
28892 @end smallexample
28893
28894 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
28895 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
28896 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
28897 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
28898 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
28899 watchpoint from a variable object.
28900
28901 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
28902 and will give an error when invoked on one.
28903
28904 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
28905 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
28906 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
28907 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
28908 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
28909 @smallexample
28910 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
28911 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
28912 @end smallexample
28913
28914 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
28915 @findex -var-show-attributes
28916
28917 @subsubheading Synopsis
28918
28919 @smallexample
28920 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
28921 @end smallexample
28922
28923 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
28924
28925 @smallexample
28926 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
28927 @end smallexample
28928
28929 @noindent
28930 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
28931
28932 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
28933 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
28934
28935 @subsubheading Synopsis
28936
28937 @smallexample
28938 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
28939 @end smallexample
28940
28941 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
28942 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
28943 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
28944 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
28945 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
28946 the current display format will be used. The current display format
28947 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
28948
28949 @smallexample
28950 value=@var{value}
28951 @end smallexample
28952
28953 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
28954 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
28955
28956 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
28957 @findex -var-assign
28958
28959 @subsubheading Synopsis
28960
28961 @smallexample
28962 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
28963 @end smallexample
28964
28965 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
28966 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
28967 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
28968 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
28969
28970 @subsubheading Example
28971
28972 @smallexample
28973 (gdb)
28974 -var-assign var1 3
28975 ^done,value="3"
28976 (gdb)
28977 -var-update *
28978 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
28979 (gdb)
28980 @end smallexample
28981
28982 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
28983 @findex -var-update
28984
28985 @subsubheading Synopsis
28986
28987 @smallexample
28988 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
28989 @end smallexample
28990
28991 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
28992 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
28993 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
28994 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
28995 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
28996 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
28997 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
28998 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
28999 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
29000 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
29001 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
29002 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
29003 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
29004
29005 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
29006 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
29007 diagnostic.
29008
29009 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
29010 only the selected range of children will be reported.
29011
29012 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
29013 @samp{changelist}.
29014
29015 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
29016
29017 @table @samp
29018 @item name
29019 The name of the varobj.
29020
29021 @item value
29022 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
29023 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
29024
29025 @item in_scope
29026 @anchor{-var-update}
29027 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
29028
29029 @table @code
29030 @item "true"
29031 The variable object's current value is valid.
29032
29033 @item "false"
29034 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
29035 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
29036 scope.
29037
29038 @item "invalid"
29039 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
29040 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
29041 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
29042 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
29043 objects.
29044 @end table
29045
29046 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
29047 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
29048
29049 @item type_changed
29050 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
29051 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
29052 be @samp{false}.
29053
29054 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
29055 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
29056 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
29057 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
29058 unset.
29059
29060 @item new_type
29061 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
29062 hold the new type.
29063
29064 @item new_num_children
29065 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
29066 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
29067
29068 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
29069 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
29070 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
29071 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
29072 children which may be available.
29073
29074 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
29075 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
29076 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
29077 only happen at the end of the update range).
29078
29079 @item displayhint
29080 The display hint, if any.
29081
29082 @item has_more
29083 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
29084 available outside the varobj's update range.
29085
29086 @item dynamic
29087 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29088 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29089 then this attribute will not be present.
29090
29091 @item new_children
29092 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
29093 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
29094 be listed in this attribute.
29095 @end table
29096
29097 @subsubheading Example
29098
29099 @smallexample
29100 (gdb)
29101 -var-assign var1 3
29102 ^done,value="3"
29103 (gdb)
29104 -var-update --all-values var1
29105 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
29106 type_changed="false"@}]
29107 (gdb)
29108 @end smallexample
29109
29110 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
29111 @findex -var-set-frozen
29112 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
29113
29114 @subsubheading Synopsis
29115
29116 @smallexample
29117 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
29118 @end smallexample
29119
29120 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
29121 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
29122 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
29123 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
29124 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
29125 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
29126 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
29127 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
29128 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
29129 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
29130 @code{-var-update} does.
29131
29132 @subsubheading Example
29133
29134 @smallexample
29135 (gdb)
29136 -var-set-frozen V 1
29137 ^done
29138 (gdb)
29139 @end smallexample
29140
29141 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
29142 @findex -var-set-update-range
29143 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
29144
29145 @subsubheading Synopsis
29146
29147 @smallexample
29148 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
29149 @end smallexample
29150
29151 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
29152 @code{-var-update}.
29153
29154 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
29155 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
29156 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
29157 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
29158
29159 @subsubheading Example
29160
29161 @smallexample
29162 (gdb)
29163 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
29164 ^done
29165 @end smallexample
29166
29167 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
29168 @findex -var-set-visualizer
29169 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
29170
29171 @subsubheading Synopsis
29172
29173 @smallexample
29174 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
29175 @end smallexample
29176
29177 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
29178
29179 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
29180 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
29181
29182 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
29183 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
29184 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
29185 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
29186 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
29187 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
29188 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
29189
29190 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
29191 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
29192 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
29193 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
29194
29195 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
29196 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
29197 can be used to check this.
29198
29199 @subsubheading Example
29200
29201 Resetting the visualizer:
29202
29203 @smallexample
29204 (gdb)
29205 -var-set-visualizer V None
29206 ^done
29207 @end smallexample
29208
29209 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
29210
29211 @smallexample
29212 (gdb)
29213 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
29214 ^done
29215 @end smallexample
29216
29217 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
29218 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
29219
29220 @smallexample
29221 (gdb)
29222 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
29223 ^done
29224 @end smallexample
29225
29226 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29227 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
29228 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
29229
29230 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
29231 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
29232 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
29233 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
29234
29235 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
29236 @c @subheading -data-assign
29237 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
29238 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
29239 @c set variable
29240 @c @subsubheading Example
29241 @c N.A.
29242
29243 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
29244 @findex -data-disassemble
29245
29246 @subsubheading Synopsis
29247
29248 @smallexample
29249 -data-disassemble
29250 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
29251 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
29252 -- @var{mode}
29253 @end smallexample
29254
29255 @noindent
29256 Where:
29257
29258 @table @samp
29259 @item @var{start-addr}
29260 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
29261 @item @var{end-addr}
29262 is the end address
29263 @item @var{filename}
29264 is the name of the file to disassemble
29265 @item @var{linenum}
29266 is the line number to disassemble around
29267 @item @var{lines}
29268 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
29269 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
29270 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
29271 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
29272 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
29273 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
29274 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
29275 are displayed.
29276 @item @var{mode}
29277 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
29278 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
29279 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
29280 @end table
29281
29282 @subsubheading Result
29283
29284 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
29285 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
29286 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
29287
29288 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
29289 following fields:
29290
29291 @table @code
29292 @item address
29293 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
29294
29295 @item func-name
29296 The name of the function this instruction is within.
29297
29298 @item offset
29299 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
29300
29301 @item inst
29302 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
29303
29304 @item opcodes
29305 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
29306 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
29307
29308 @end table
29309
29310 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
29311 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
29312
29313 @table @code
29314 @item line
29315 The line number within @samp{file}.
29316
29317 @item file
29318 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
29319 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
29320 used.
29321
29322 @item fullname
29323 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
29324 using the source file search path
29325 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
29326 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
29327
29328 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
29329 present in the debug information.
29330
29331 @item line_asm_insn
29332 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
29333 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
29334 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
29335 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
29336 @samp{opcodes}.
29337
29338 @end table
29339
29340 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
29341 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
29342 adjust its format.
29343
29344 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29345
29346 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
29347
29348 @subsubheading Example
29349
29350 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
29351
29352 @smallexample
29353 (gdb)
29354 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
29355 ^done,
29356 asm_insns=[
29357 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29358 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29359 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29360 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29361 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
29362 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
29363 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
29364 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29365 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
29366 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
29367 (gdb)
29368 @end smallexample
29369
29370 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29371 @code{main}.
29372
29373 @smallexample
29374 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29375 ^done,asm_insns=[
29376 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29377 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29378 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29379 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29380 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29381 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29382 [@dots{}]
29383 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29384 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29385 (gdb)
29386 @end smallexample
29387
29388 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29389
29390 @smallexample
29391 (gdb)
29392 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29393 ^done,asm_insns=[
29394 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29395 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29396 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29397 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29398 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29399 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29400 (gdb)
29401 @end smallexample
29402
29403 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29404
29405 @smallexample
29406 (gdb)
29407 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29408 ^done,asm_insns=[
29409 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29410 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29411 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29412 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
29413 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29414 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29415 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29416 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29417 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
29418 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29419 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29420 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29421 (gdb)
29422 @end smallexample
29423
29424
29425 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29426 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
29427
29428 @subsubheading Synopsis
29429
29430 @smallexample
29431 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29432 @end smallexample
29433
29434 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29435 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29436 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29437
29438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29439
29440 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29441 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29442 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
29443
29444 @subsubheading Example
29445
29446 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29447 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29448 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29449 output.
29450
29451 @smallexample
29452 211-data-evaluate-expression A
29453 211^done,value="1"
29454 (gdb)
29455 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29456 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29457 (gdb)
29458 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29459 411^done,value="4"
29460 (gdb)
29461 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29462 511^done,value="4"
29463 (gdb)
29464 @end smallexample
29465
29466
29467 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29468 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
29469
29470 @subsubheading Synopsis
29471
29472 @smallexample
29473 -data-list-changed-registers
29474 @end smallexample
29475
29476 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29477
29478 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29479
29480 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29481 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29482
29483 @subsubheading Example
29484
29485 On a PPC MBX board:
29486
29487 @smallexample
29488 (gdb)
29489 -exec-continue
29490 ^running
29491
29492 (gdb)
29493 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29494 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29495 line="5"@}
29496 (gdb)
29497 -data-list-changed-registers
29498 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29499 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29500 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29501 (gdb)
29502 @end smallexample
29503
29504
29505 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29506 @findex -data-list-register-names
29507
29508 @subsubheading Synopsis
29509
29510 @smallexample
29511 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29512 @end smallexample
29513
29514 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29515 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29516 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29517 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29518 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29519 include empty register names.
29520
29521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29522
29523 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29524 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29525 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29526
29527 @subsubheading Example
29528
29529 For the PPC MBX board:
29530 @smallexample
29531 (gdb)
29532 -data-list-register-names
29533 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29534 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29535 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29536 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29537 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29538 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29539 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29540 (gdb)
29541 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29542 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29543 (gdb)
29544 @end smallexample
29545
29546 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29547 @findex -data-list-register-values
29548
29549 @subsubheading Synopsis
29550
29551 @smallexample
29552 -data-list-register-values
29553 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29554 @end smallexample
29555
29556 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
29557 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
29558 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
29559 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
29560 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
29561 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
29562
29563 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29564
29565 @table @code
29566 @item x
29567 Hexadecimal
29568 @item o
29569 Octal
29570 @item t
29571 Binary
29572 @item d
29573 Decimal
29574 @item r
29575 Raw
29576 @item N
29577 Natural
29578 @end table
29579
29580 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29581
29582 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
29583 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
29584
29585 @subsubheading Example
29586
29587 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
29588 don't appear in the actual output):
29589
29590 @smallexample
29591 (gdb)
29592 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
29593 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29594 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
29595 (gdb)
29596 -data-list-register-values x
29597 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
29598 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29599 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
29600 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
29601 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
29602 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
29603 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
29604 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
29605 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
29606 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29607 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
29608 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
29609 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
29610 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
29611 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
29612 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
29613 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
29614 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
29615 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
29616 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
29617 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
29618 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
29619 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
29620 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
29621 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
29622 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
29623 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
29624 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
29625 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
29626 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
29627 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
29628 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
29629 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29630 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
29631 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
29632 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
29633 (gdb)
29634 @end smallexample
29635
29636
29637 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
29638 @findex -data-read-memory
29639
29640 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
29641
29642 @subsubheading Synopsis
29643
29644 @smallexample
29645 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29646 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
29647 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
29648 @end smallexample
29649
29650 @noindent
29651 where:
29652
29653 @table @samp
29654 @item @var{address}
29655 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29656 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29657 quoted using the C convention.
29658
29659 @item @var{word-format}
29660 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
29661 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
29662 ,Output Formats}).
29663
29664 @item @var{word-size}
29665 The size of each memory word in bytes.
29666
29667 @item @var{nr-rows}
29668 The number of rows in the output table.
29669
29670 @item @var{nr-cols}
29671 The number of columns in the output table.
29672
29673 @item @var{aschar}
29674 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
29675 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
29676 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
29677 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
29678
29679 @item @var{byte-offset}
29680 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
29681 @end table
29682
29683 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
29684 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
29685 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
29686 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
29687 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
29688 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
29689 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
29690 @samp{addr}.
29691
29692 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
29693 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
29694 @samp{prev-page}.
29695
29696 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29697
29698 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
29699 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
29700
29701 @subsubheading Example
29702
29703 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
29704 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
29705 word. Display each word in hex.
29706
29707 @smallexample
29708 (gdb)
29709 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
29710 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
29711 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
29712 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
29713 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
29714 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
29715 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
29716 (gdb)
29717 @end smallexample
29718
29719 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
29720 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
29721
29722 @smallexample
29723 (gdb)
29724 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
29725 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
29726 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
29727 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
29728 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
29729 (gdb)
29730 @end smallexample
29731
29732 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
29733 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
29734 used as the non-printable character.
29735
29736 @smallexample
29737 (gdb)
29738 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
29739 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
29740 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
29741 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
29742 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29743 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29744 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29745 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29746 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
29747 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
29748 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
29749 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
29750 (gdb)
29751 @end smallexample
29752
29753 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
29754 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
29755
29756 @subsubheading Synopsis
29757
29758 @smallexample
29759 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29760 @var{address} @var{count}
29761 @end smallexample
29762
29763 @noindent
29764 where:
29765
29766 @table @samp
29767 @item @var{address}
29768 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29769 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29770 quoted using the C convention.
29771
29772 @item @var{count}
29773 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
29774
29775 @item @var{byte-offset}
29776 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
29777 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
29778 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
29779 perform address arithmetics itself.
29780
29781 @end table
29782
29783 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
29784 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
29785 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
29786 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
29787 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
29788 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
29789
29790 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
29791 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
29792 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
29793 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
29794 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
29795 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
29796 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
29797 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
29798
29799 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
29800 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
29801 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
29802 and has the following fields:
29803
29804 @table @code
29805 @item begin
29806 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29807
29808 @item end
29809 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29810
29811 @item offset
29812 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
29813 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
29814
29815 @item contents
29816 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
29817
29818 @end table
29819
29820
29821
29822 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29823
29824 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
29825
29826 @subsubheading Example
29827
29828 @smallexample
29829 (gdb)
29830 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
29831 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
29832 end="0xbffff15e",
29833 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
29834 (gdb)
29835 @end smallexample
29836
29837
29838 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
29839 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
29840
29841 @subsubheading Synopsis
29842
29843 @smallexample
29844 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
29845 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
29846 @end smallexample
29847
29848 @noindent
29849 where:
29850
29851 @table @samp
29852 @item @var{address}
29853 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29854 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29855 quoted using the C convention.
29856
29857 @item @var{contents}
29858 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
29859
29860 @item @var{count}
29861 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
29862 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
29863 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
29864
29865 @end table
29866
29867 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29868
29869 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29870
29871 @subsubheading Example
29872
29873 @smallexample
29874 (gdb)
29875 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
29876 ^done
29877 (gdb)
29878 @end smallexample
29879
29880 @smallexample
29881 (gdb)
29882 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
29883 ^done
29884 (gdb)
29885 @end smallexample
29886
29887 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29888 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
29889 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
29890
29891 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
29892 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
29893
29894 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
29895 @findex -trace-find
29896
29897 @subsubheading Synopsis
29898
29899 @smallexample
29900 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
29901 @end smallexample
29902
29903 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
29904 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
29905 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
29906
29907 @table @samp
29908
29909 @item none
29910 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
29911
29912 @item frame-number
29913 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
29914 that index.
29915
29916 @item tracepoint-number
29917 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
29918 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
29919
29920 @item pc
29921 An address is required as parameter. Finds
29922 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
29923 address.
29924
29925 @item pc-inside-range
29926 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
29927 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
29928 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29929
29930 @item pc-outside-range
29931 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
29932 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
29933 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29934
29935 @item line
29936 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
29937 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
29938 the specified location.
29939
29940 @end table
29941
29942 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
29943 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
29944
29945 @table @samp
29946 @item found
29947 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
29948 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
29949
29950 @item traceframe
29951 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
29952 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29953
29954 @item tracepoint
29955 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
29956 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29957
29958 @item frame
29959 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
29960 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
29961 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
29962
29963 @end table
29964
29965 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29966
29967 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
29968
29969 @subheading -trace-define-variable
29970 @findex -trace-define-variable
29971
29972 @subsubheading Synopsis
29973
29974 @smallexample
29975 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
29976 @end smallexample
29977
29978 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
29979 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
29980 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
29981 with the @samp{$} character.
29982
29983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29984
29985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
29986
29987 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
29988 @findex -trace-frame-collected
29989
29990 @subsubheading Synopsis
29991
29992 @smallexample
29993 -trace-frame-collected
29994 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
29995 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
29996 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
29997 [--memory-contents]
29998 @end smallexample
29999
30000 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
30001 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
30002 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
30003 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
30004 See the output description table below for more details.
30005
30006 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
30007 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
30008 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
30009 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
30010 memory range and which is a computed expression.
30011
30012 For instance, if the actions were
30013 @smallexample
30014 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
30015 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
30016 @end smallexample
30017
30018 @noindent
30019 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
30020 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
30021 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
30022 objects would be computed expressions.
30023
30024 An example output would be:
30025
30026 @smallexample
30027 (gdb)
30028 -trace-frame-collected
30029 ^done,
30030 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
30031 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
30032 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
30033 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
30034 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
30035 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
30036 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
30037 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
30038 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
30039 ...
30040 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
30041 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
30042 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
30043 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
30044 (gdb)
30045 @end smallexample
30046
30047 Where:
30048
30049 @table @code
30050 @item explicit-variables
30051 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
30052 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
30053 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
30054 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
30055 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
30056 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
30057 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
30058 arrays, structures and unions.
30059
30060 @item computed-expressions
30061 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
30062 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
30063 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
30064 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
30065
30066 @item registers
30067 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
30068 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
30069 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
30070 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
30071 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
30072
30073 @item tvars
30074 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
30075 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
30076 current value are returned.
30077
30078 @item memory
30079 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
30080 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
30081 collected memory range and has the following fields:
30082
30083 @table @code
30084 @item address
30085 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
30086
30087 @item length
30088 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
30089
30090 @item contents
30091 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
30092 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
30093
30094 @end table
30095
30096 @end table
30097
30098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30099
30100 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30101
30102 @subsubheading Example
30103
30104 @subheading -trace-list-variables
30105 @findex -trace-list-variables
30106
30107 @subsubheading Synopsis
30108
30109 @smallexample
30110 -trace-list-variables
30111 @end smallexample
30112
30113 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
30114 table has the following fields:
30115
30116 @table @samp
30117 @item name
30118 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
30119
30120 @item initial
30121 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
30122 field is always present.
30123
30124 @item current
30125 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
30126 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
30127 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
30128 presently running.
30129
30130 @end table
30131
30132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30133
30134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
30135
30136 @subsubheading Example
30137
30138 @smallexample
30139 (gdb)
30140 -trace-list-variables
30141 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
30142 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
30143 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
30144 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
30145 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
30146 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
30147 (gdb)
30148 @end smallexample
30149
30150 @subheading -trace-save
30151 @findex -trace-save
30152
30153 @subsubheading Synopsis
30154
30155 @smallexample
30156 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
30157 @end smallexample
30158
30159 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
30160 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
30161 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
30162 to perform the save.
30163
30164 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30165
30166 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
30167
30168
30169 @subheading -trace-start
30170 @findex -trace-start
30171
30172 @subsubheading Synopsis
30173
30174 @smallexample
30175 -trace-start
30176 @end smallexample
30177
30178 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
30179 have any fields.
30180
30181 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30182
30183 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
30184
30185 @subheading -trace-status
30186 @findex -trace-status
30187
30188 @subsubheading Synopsis
30189
30190 @smallexample
30191 -trace-status
30192 @end smallexample
30193
30194 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
30195 the following fields:
30196
30197 @table @samp
30198
30199 @item supported
30200 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
30201 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
30202 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
30203 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
30204 started. This field is always present.
30205
30206 @item running
30207 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
30208 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
30209 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30210
30211 @item stop-reason
30212 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
30213 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
30214 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
30215 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
30216 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
30217 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
30218 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
30219 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
30220 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30221
30222 @item stopping-tracepoint
30223 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
30224 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
30225 @samp{passcount}.
30226
30227 @item frames
30228 @itemx frames-created
30229 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
30230 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
30231 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
30232 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
30233
30234 @item buffer-size
30235 @itemx buffer-free
30236 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
30237 remaining space. These fields are optional.
30238
30239 @item circular
30240 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
30241 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
30242 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
30243 and may fill up.
30244
30245 @item disconnected
30246 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
30247 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
30248 that the trace run will stop.
30249
30250 @item trace-file
30251 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
30252 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
30253
30254 @end table
30255
30256 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30257
30258 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
30259
30260 @subheading -trace-stop
30261 @findex -trace-stop
30262
30263 @subsubheading Synopsis
30264
30265 @smallexample
30266 -trace-stop
30267 @end smallexample
30268
30269 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
30270 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
30271 @samp{running} fields are not output.
30272
30273 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30274
30275 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
30276
30277
30278 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30279 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
30280 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
30281
30282
30283 @ignore
30284 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
30285 @findex -symbol-info-address
30286
30287 @subsubheading Synopsis
30288
30289 @smallexample
30290 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
30291 @end smallexample
30292
30293 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
30294
30295 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30296
30297 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
30298
30299 @subsubheading Example
30300 N.A.
30301
30302
30303 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
30304 @findex -symbol-info-file
30305
30306 @subsubheading Synopsis
30307
30308 @smallexample
30309 -symbol-info-file
30310 @end smallexample
30311
30312 Show the file for the symbol.
30313
30314 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30315
30316 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
30317 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
30318
30319 @subsubheading Example
30320 N.A.
30321
30322
30323 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
30324 @findex -symbol-info-function
30325
30326 @subsubheading Synopsis
30327
30328 @smallexample
30329 -symbol-info-function
30330 @end smallexample
30331
30332 Show which function the symbol lives in.
30333
30334 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30335
30336 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
30337
30338 @subsubheading Example
30339 N.A.
30340
30341
30342 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
30343 @findex -symbol-info-line
30344
30345 @subsubheading Synopsis
30346
30347 @smallexample
30348 -symbol-info-line
30349 @end smallexample
30350
30351 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
30352
30353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30354
30355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
30356 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
30357
30358 @subsubheading Example
30359 N.A.
30360
30361
30362 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
30363 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
30364
30365 @subsubheading Synopsis
30366
30367 @smallexample
30368 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
30369 @end smallexample
30370
30371 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
30372
30373 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30374
30375 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
30376
30377 @subsubheading Example
30378 N.A.
30379
30380
30381 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
30382 @findex -symbol-list-functions
30383
30384 @subsubheading Synopsis
30385
30386 @smallexample
30387 -symbol-list-functions
30388 @end smallexample
30389
30390 List the functions in the executable.
30391
30392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30393
30394 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
30395 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30396
30397 @subsubheading Example
30398 N.A.
30399 @end ignore
30400
30401
30402 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
30403 @findex -symbol-list-lines
30404
30405 @subsubheading Synopsis
30406
30407 @smallexample
30408 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
30409 @end smallexample
30410
30411 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
30412 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
30413 ascending PC order.
30414
30415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30416
30417 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30418
30419 @subsubheading Example
30420 @smallexample
30421 (gdb)
30422 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
30423 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
30424 (gdb)
30425 @end smallexample
30426
30427
30428 @ignore
30429 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
30430 @findex -symbol-list-types
30431
30432 @subsubheading Synopsis
30433
30434 @smallexample
30435 -symbol-list-types
30436 @end smallexample
30437
30438 List all the type names.
30439
30440 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30441
30442 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
30443 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30444
30445 @subsubheading Example
30446 N.A.
30447
30448
30449 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
30450 @findex -symbol-list-variables
30451
30452 @subsubheading Synopsis
30453
30454 @smallexample
30455 -symbol-list-variables
30456 @end smallexample
30457
30458 List all the global and static variable names.
30459
30460 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30461
30462 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30463
30464 @subsubheading Example
30465 N.A.
30466
30467
30468 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
30469 @findex -symbol-locate
30470
30471 @subsubheading Synopsis
30472
30473 @smallexample
30474 -symbol-locate
30475 @end smallexample
30476
30477 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30478
30479 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
30480
30481 @subsubheading Example
30482 N.A.
30483
30484
30485 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
30486 @findex -symbol-type
30487
30488 @subsubheading Synopsis
30489
30490 @smallexample
30491 -symbol-type @var{variable}
30492 @end smallexample
30493
30494 Show type of @var{variable}.
30495
30496 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30497
30498 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
30499 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
30500
30501 @subsubheading Example
30502 N.A.
30503 @end ignore
30504
30505
30506 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30507 @node GDB/MI File Commands
30508 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30509
30510 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30511 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30512
30513 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30514 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30515
30516 @subsubheading Synopsis
30517
30518 @smallexample
30519 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30520 @end smallexample
30521
30522 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30523 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30524 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30525 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30526 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30527 notification.
30528
30529 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30530
30531 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30532
30533 @subsubheading Example
30534
30535 @smallexample
30536 (gdb)
30537 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30538 ^done
30539 (gdb)
30540 @end smallexample
30541
30542
30543 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30544 @findex -file-exec-file
30545
30546 @subsubheading Synopsis
30547
30548 @smallexample
30549 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30550 @end smallexample
30551
30552 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30553 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30554 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30555 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30556 notification.
30557
30558 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30559
30560 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30561
30562 @subsubheading Example
30563
30564 @smallexample
30565 (gdb)
30566 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30567 ^done
30568 (gdb)
30569 @end smallexample
30570
30571
30572 @ignore
30573 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30574 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
30575
30576 @subsubheading Synopsis
30577
30578 @smallexample
30579 -file-list-exec-sections
30580 @end smallexample
30581
30582 List the sections of the current executable file.
30583
30584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30585
30586 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
30587 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
30588 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
30589
30590 @subsubheading Example
30591 N.A.
30592 @end ignore
30593
30594
30595 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
30596 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
30597
30598 @subsubheading Synopsis
30599
30600 @smallexample
30601 -file-list-exec-source-file
30602 @end smallexample
30603
30604 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
30605 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
30606 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
30607 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
30608
30609 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30610
30611 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
30612
30613 @subsubheading Example
30614
30615 @smallexample
30616 (gdb)
30617 123-file-list-exec-source-file
30618 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
30619 (gdb)
30620 @end smallexample
30621
30622
30623 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
30624 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
30625
30626 @subsubheading Synopsis
30627
30628 @smallexample
30629 -file-list-exec-source-files
30630 @end smallexample
30631
30632 List the source files for the current executable.
30633
30634 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
30635 name) of a source file.
30636
30637 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30638
30639 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
30640 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
30641
30642 @subsubheading Example
30643 @smallexample
30644 (gdb)
30645 -file-list-exec-source-files
30646 ^done,files=[
30647 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
30648 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
30649 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
30650 (gdb)
30651 @end smallexample
30652
30653 @ignore
30654 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
30655 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
30656
30657 @subsubheading Synopsis
30658
30659 @smallexample
30660 -file-list-shared-libraries
30661 @end smallexample
30662
30663 List the shared libraries in the program.
30664
30665 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30666
30667 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
30668
30669 @subsubheading Example
30670 N.A.
30671
30672
30673 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
30674 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
30675
30676 @subsubheading Synopsis
30677
30678 @smallexample
30679 -file-list-symbol-files
30680 @end smallexample
30681
30682 List symbol files.
30683
30684 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30685
30686 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
30687
30688 @subsubheading Example
30689 N.A.
30690 @end ignore
30691
30692
30693 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
30694 @findex -file-symbol-file
30695
30696 @subsubheading Synopsis
30697
30698 @smallexample
30699 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
30700 @end smallexample
30701
30702 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
30703 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
30704 produced, except for a completion notification.
30705
30706 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30707
30708 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
30709
30710 @subsubheading Example
30711
30712 @smallexample
30713 (gdb)
30714 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30715 ^done
30716 (gdb)
30717 @end smallexample
30718
30719 @ignore
30720 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30721 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
30722 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
30723
30724 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
30725
30726 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
30727
30728 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
30729
30730 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
30731
30732 @c @subheading -overlay-map
30733
30734 @c @subheading -overlay-off
30735
30736 @c @subheading -overlay-on
30737
30738 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
30739
30740 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30741 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
30742 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
30743
30744 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
30745
30746 @c @subheading -signal-handle
30747
30748 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
30749
30750 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
30751 @end ignore
30752
30753
30754 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30755 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
30756 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
30757
30758
30759 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
30760 @findex -target-attach
30761
30762 @subsubheading Synopsis
30763
30764 @smallexample
30765 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
30766 @end smallexample
30767
30768 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
30769 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
30770 group, the id previously returned by
30771 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
30772
30773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30774
30775 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
30776
30777 @subsubheading Example
30778 @smallexample
30779 (gdb)
30780 -target-attach 34
30781 =thread-created,id="1"
30782 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
30783 ^done
30784 (gdb)
30785 @end smallexample
30786
30787 @ignore
30788 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
30789 @findex -target-compare-sections
30790
30791 @subsubheading Synopsis
30792
30793 @smallexample
30794 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
30795 @end smallexample
30796
30797 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
30798 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
30799
30800 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30801
30802 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
30803
30804 @subsubheading Example
30805 N.A.
30806 @end ignore
30807
30808
30809 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
30810 @findex -target-detach
30811
30812 @subsubheading Synopsis
30813
30814 @smallexample
30815 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
30816 @end smallexample
30817
30818 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
30819 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
30820 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
30821
30822 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30823
30824 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
30825
30826 @subsubheading Example
30827
30828 @smallexample
30829 (gdb)
30830 -target-detach
30831 ^done
30832 (gdb)
30833 @end smallexample
30834
30835
30836 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
30837 @findex -target-disconnect
30838
30839 @subsubheading Synopsis
30840
30841 @smallexample
30842 -target-disconnect
30843 @end smallexample
30844
30845 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
30846 generally not resumed.
30847
30848 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30849
30850 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
30851
30852 @subsubheading Example
30853
30854 @smallexample
30855 (gdb)
30856 -target-disconnect
30857 ^done
30858 (gdb)
30859 @end smallexample
30860
30861
30862 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
30863 @findex -target-download
30864
30865 @subsubheading Synopsis
30866
30867 @smallexample
30868 -target-download
30869 @end smallexample
30870
30871 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
30872 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
30873
30874 @table @samp
30875 @item section
30876 The name of the section.
30877 @item section-sent
30878 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
30879 @item section-size
30880 The size of the section.
30881 @item total-sent
30882 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
30883 @item total-size
30884 The size of the overall executable to download.
30885 @end table
30886
30887 @noindent
30888 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
30889 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
30890
30891 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
30892 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
30893
30894 @table @samp
30895 @item section
30896 The name of the section.
30897 @item section-size
30898 The size of the section.
30899 @item total-size
30900 The size of the overall executable to download.
30901 @end table
30902
30903 @noindent
30904 At the end, a summary is printed.
30905
30906 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30907
30908 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
30909
30910 @subsubheading Example
30911
30912 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
30913 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
30914
30915 @smallexample
30916 (gdb)
30917 -target-download
30918 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
30919 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
30920 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
30921 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
30922 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
30923 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
30924 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
30925 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
30926 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
30927 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
30928 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
30929 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
30930 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
30931 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
30932 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
30933 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
30934 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
30935 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
30936 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
30937 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
30938 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
30939 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
30940 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
30941 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
30942 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
30943 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
30944 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
30945 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30946 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30947 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
30948 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
30949 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
30950 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
30951 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
30952 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
30953 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
30954 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
30955 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
30956 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
30957 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
30958 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
30959 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
30960 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
30961 write-rate="429"
30962 (gdb)
30963 @end smallexample
30964
30965
30966 @ignore
30967 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
30968 @findex -target-exec-status
30969
30970 @subsubheading Synopsis
30971
30972 @smallexample
30973 -target-exec-status
30974 @end smallexample
30975
30976 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
30977 not, for instance).
30978
30979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30980
30981 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30982
30983 @subsubheading Example
30984 N.A.
30985
30986
30987 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
30988 @findex -target-list-available-targets
30989
30990 @subsubheading Synopsis
30991
30992 @smallexample
30993 -target-list-available-targets
30994 @end smallexample
30995
30996 List the possible targets to connect to.
30997
30998 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30999
31000 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
31001
31002 @subsubheading Example
31003 N.A.
31004
31005
31006 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
31007 @findex -target-list-current-targets
31008
31009 @subsubheading Synopsis
31010
31011 @smallexample
31012 -target-list-current-targets
31013 @end smallexample
31014
31015 Describe the current target.
31016
31017 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31018
31019 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
31020 other things).
31021
31022 @subsubheading Example
31023 N.A.
31024
31025
31026 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
31027 @findex -target-list-parameters
31028
31029 @subsubheading Synopsis
31030
31031 @smallexample
31032 -target-list-parameters
31033 @end smallexample
31034
31035 @c ????
31036 @end ignore
31037
31038 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31039
31040 No equivalent.
31041
31042 @subsubheading Example
31043 N.A.
31044
31045
31046 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
31047 @findex -target-select
31048
31049 @subsubheading Synopsis
31050
31051 @smallexample
31052 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
31053 @end smallexample
31054
31055 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
31056
31057 @table @samp
31058 @item @var{type}
31059 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
31060 @item @var{parameters}
31061 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
31062 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
31063 @end table
31064
31065 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
31066 which the target program is, in the following form:
31067
31068 @smallexample
31069 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
31070 args=[@var{arg list}]
31071 @end smallexample
31072
31073 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31074
31075 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
31076
31077 @subsubheading Example
31078
31079 @smallexample
31080 (gdb)
31081 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
31082 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
31083 (gdb)
31084 @end smallexample
31085
31086 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31087 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
31088 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
31089
31090
31091 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
31092 @findex -target-file-put
31093
31094 @subsubheading Synopsis
31095
31096 @smallexample
31097 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
31098 @end smallexample
31099
31100 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
31101 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
31102
31103 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31104
31105 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
31106
31107 @subsubheading Example
31108
31109 @smallexample
31110 (gdb)
31111 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
31112 ^done
31113 (gdb)
31114 @end smallexample
31115
31116
31117 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
31118 @findex -target-file-get
31119
31120 @subsubheading Synopsis
31121
31122 @smallexample
31123 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
31124 @end smallexample
31125
31126 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
31127 on the host system.
31128
31129 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31130
31131 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
31132
31133 @subsubheading Example
31134
31135 @smallexample
31136 (gdb)
31137 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
31138 ^done
31139 (gdb)
31140 @end smallexample
31141
31142
31143 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
31144 @findex -target-file-delete
31145
31146 @subsubheading Synopsis
31147
31148 @smallexample
31149 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
31150 @end smallexample
31151
31152 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
31153
31154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31155
31156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
31157
31158 @subsubheading Example
31159
31160 @smallexample
31161 (gdb)
31162 -target-file-delete remotefile
31163 ^done
31164 (gdb)
31165 @end smallexample
31166
31167
31168 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31169 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
31170 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31171
31172 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
31173 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
31174
31175 @subsubheading Synopsis
31176
31177 @smallexample
31178 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
31179 @end smallexample
31180
31181 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
31182 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
31183 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
31184
31185 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31186
31187 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
31188
31189 @subsubheading Result
31190
31191 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
31192 defined for each exception:
31193
31194 @table @samp
31195 @item name
31196 The name of the exception.
31197
31198 @item address
31199 The address of the exception.
31200
31201 @end table
31202
31203 @subsubheading Example
31204
31205 @smallexample
31206 -info-ada-exceptions aint
31207 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
31208 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31209 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
31210 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
31211 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
31212 @end smallexample
31213
31214 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
31215
31216 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
31217 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
31218 Catchpoint Commands}.
31219
31220
31221 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31222 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
31223 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
31224
31225 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
31226 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
31227 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
31228 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
31229
31230 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
31231 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
31232 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
31233
31234 @subsubheading Synopsis
31235
31236 @smallexample
31237 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
31238 @end smallexample
31239
31240 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
31241
31242 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
31243 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
31244 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
31245 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
31246 dash.
31247
31248 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31249
31250 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31251
31252 @subsubheading Result
31253
31254 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
31255
31256 @table @samp
31257 @item exists
31258 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
31259 @code{"false"} otherwise.
31260
31261 @end table
31262
31263 @subsubheading Example
31264
31265 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
31266
31267 @smallexample
31268 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
31269 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
31270 @end smallexample
31271
31272 @noindent
31273 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
31274 to the debugger:
31275
31276 @smallexample
31277 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
31278 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
31279 @end smallexample
31280
31281 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
31282 @findex -list-features
31283 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
31284
31285 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
31286 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
31287 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
31288 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
31289 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
31290 startup.
31291
31292 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
31293 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
31294 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
31295 is given below.
31296
31297 Example output:
31298
31299 @smallexample
31300 (gdb) -list-features
31301 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
31302 @end smallexample
31303
31304 The current list of features is:
31305
31306 @ftable @samp
31307 @item frozen-varobjs
31308 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
31309 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
31310 of @code{-varobj-create}.
31311 @item pending-breakpoints
31312 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
31313 command.
31314 @item python
31315 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
31316 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
31317 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
31318 @item thread-info
31319 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
31320 @item data-read-memory-bytes
31321 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
31322 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
31323 @item breakpoint-notifications
31324 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
31325 CLI will be announced via async records.
31326 @item ada-task-info
31327 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
31328 @item language-option
31329 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
31330 option (@pxref{Context management}).
31331 @item info-gdb-mi-command
31332 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
31333 @item undefined-command-error-code
31334 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
31335 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
31336 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
31337 @item exec-run-start-option
31338 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
31339 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
31340 @end ftable
31341
31342 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
31343 @findex -list-target-features
31344
31345 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
31346 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
31347 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
31348 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
31349 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
31350 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
31351 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
31352 Example output:
31353
31354 @smallexample
31355 (gdb) -list-target-features
31356 ^done,result=["async"]
31357 @end smallexample
31358
31359 The current list of features is:
31360
31361 @table @samp
31362 @item async
31363 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
31364 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
31365 while the target is running.
31366
31367 @item reverse
31368 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
31369 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31370
31371 @end table
31372
31373 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31374 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
31375 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31376
31377 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
31378
31379 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
31380 @findex -gdb-exit
31381
31382 @subsubheading Synopsis
31383
31384 @smallexample
31385 -gdb-exit
31386 @end smallexample
31387
31388 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
31389
31390 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31391
31392 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
31393
31394 @subsubheading Example
31395
31396 @smallexample
31397 (gdb)
31398 -gdb-exit
31399 ^exit
31400 @end smallexample
31401
31402
31403 @ignore
31404 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
31405 @findex -exec-abort
31406
31407 @subsubheading Synopsis
31408
31409 @smallexample
31410 -exec-abort
31411 @end smallexample
31412
31413 Kill the inferior running program.
31414
31415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31416
31417 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
31418
31419 @subsubheading Example
31420 N.A.
31421 @end ignore
31422
31423
31424 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
31425 @findex -gdb-set
31426
31427 @subsubheading Synopsis
31428
31429 @smallexample
31430 -gdb-set
31431 @end smallexample
31432
31433 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
31434 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
31435
31436 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31437
31438 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
31439
31440 @subsubheading Example
31441
31442 @smallexample
31443 (gdb)
31444 -gdb-set $foo=3
31445 ^done
31446 (gdb)
31447 @end smallexample
31448
31449
31450 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
31451 @findex -gdb-show
31452
31453 @subsubheading Synopsis
31454
31455 @smallexample
31456 -gdb-show
31457 @end smallexample
31458
31459 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
31460
31461 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31462
31463 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
31464
31465 @subsubheading Example
31466
31467 @smallexample
31468 (gdb)
31469 -gdb-show annotate
31470 ^done,value="0"
31471 (gdb)
31472 @end smallexample
31473
31474 @c @subheading -gdb-source
31475
31476
31477 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
31478 @findex -gdb-version
31479
31480 @subsubheading Synopsis
31481
31482 @smallexample
31483 -gdb-version
31484 @end smallexample
31485
31486 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
31487
31488 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31489
31490 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
31491 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
31492
31493 @subsubheading Example
31494
31495 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
31496 @c box in TeX.
31497 @smallexample
31498 (gdb)
31499 -gdb-version
31500 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
31501 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31502 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
31503 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
31504 ~ certain conditions.
31505 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31506 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
31507 ~ details.
31508 ~This GDB was configured as
31509 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
31510 ^done
31511 (gdb)
31512 @end smallexample
31513
31514 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
31515 @findex -list-thread-groups
31516
31517 @subheading Synopsis
31518
31519 @smallexample
31520 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
31521 @end smallexample
31522
31523 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
31524 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
31525 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
31526 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
31527 top-level thread groups.
31528
31529 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
31530 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
31531 available on the target.
31532
31533 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
31534 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
31535 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
31536 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
31537 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
31538 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
31539 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
31540 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
31541
31542 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
31543 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
31544 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
31545 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
31546 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
31547 @samp{threads} field.
31548
31549 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
31550 the following caveats:
31551
31552 @itemize @bullet
31553 @item
31554 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
31555 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
31556 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
31557
31558 @item
31559 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
31560 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
31561 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
31562 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
31563 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
31564 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
31565
31566 @end itemize
31567
31568 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
31569 have the following fields:
31570
31571 @table @code
31572 @item id
31573 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
31574 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
31575 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
31576
31577 @item type
31578 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
31579 valid type.
31580
31581 @item pid
31582 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
31583 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
31584
31585 @item exit-code
31586 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
31587 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
31588 only if the process is not running.
31589
31590 @item num_children
31591 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
31592 absent for an available thread group.
31593
31594 @item threads
31595 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
31596 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
31597 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
31598
31599 @item cores
31600 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
31601 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
31602 such information is not available.
31603
31604 @item executable
31605 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
31606 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
31607 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
31608
31609 @end table
31610
31611 @subheading Example
31612
31613 @smallexample
31614 @value{GDBP}
31615 -list-thread-groups
31616 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
31617 -list-thread-groups 17
31618 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
31619 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
31620 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
31621 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
31622 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
31623 -list-thread-groups --available
31624 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
31625 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
31626 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31627 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31628 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
31629 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
31630 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31631 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31632 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
31633 @end smallexample
31634
31635 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
31636 @findex -info-os
31637
31638 @subsubheading Synopsis
31639
31640 @smallexample
31641 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
31642 @end smallexample
31643
31644 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
31645 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
31646 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
31647 of data of that type.
31648
31649 The types of information available depend on the target operating
31650 system.
31651
31652 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31653
31654 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
31655
31656 @subsubheading Example
31657
31658 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
31659 like this:
31660
31661 @smallexample
31662 @value{GDBP}
31663 -info-os
31664 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
31665 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
31666 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
31667 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
31668 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
31669 col2="Processes"@},
31670 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
31671 col2="Process groups"@},
31672 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
31673 col2="Threads"@},
31674 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
31675 col2="File descriptors"@},
31676 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
31677 col2="Sockets"@},
31678 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
31679 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
31680 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
31681 col2="Semaphores"@},
31682 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
31683 col2="Message queues"@},
31684 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
31685 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
31686 @value{GDBP}
31687 -info-os processes
31688 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
31689 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
31690 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
31691 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
31692 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
31693 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
31694 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
31695 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
31696 ...
31697 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
31698 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
31699 (gdb)
31700 @end smallexample
31701
31702 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
31703 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
31704 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
31705 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
31706 @code{info os} omits it.)
31707
31708 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
31709 @findex -add-inferior
31710
31711 @subheading Synopsis
31712
31713 @smallexample
31714 -add-inferior
31715 @end smallexample
31716
31717 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
31718 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
31719 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
31720 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
31721 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
31722 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
31723
31724 @subheading Example
31725
31726 @smallexample
31727 @value{GDBP}
31728 -add-inferior
31729 ^done,inferior="i3"
31730 @end smallexample
31731
31732 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
31733 @findex -interpreter-exec
31734
31735 @subheading Synopsis
31736
31737 @smallexample
31738 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
31739 @end smallexample
31740 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
31741
31742 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
31743
31744 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31745
31746 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
31747
31748 @subheading Example
31749
31750 @smallexample
31751 (gdb)
31752 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
31753 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
31754 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
31755 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
31756 ^done
31757 (gdb)
31758 @end smallexample
31759
31760 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
31761 @findex -inferior-tty-set
31762
31763 @subheading Synopsis
31764
31765 @smallexample
31766 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31767 @end smallexample
31768
31769 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
31770
31771 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31772
31773 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
31774
31775 @subheading Example
31776
31777 @smallexample
31778 (gdb)
31779 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31780 ^done
31781 (gdb)
31782 @end smallexample
31783
31784 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
31785 @findex -inferior-tty-show
31786
31787 @subheading Synopsis
31788
31789 @smallexample
31790 -inferior-tty-show
31791 @end smallexample
31792
31793 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
31794
31795 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31796
31797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
31798
31799 @subheading Example
31800
31801 @smallexample
31802 (gdb)
31803 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31804 ^done
31805 (gdb)
31806 -inferior-tty-show
31807 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
31808 (gdb)
31809 @end smallexample
31810
31811 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
31812 @findex -enable-timings
31813
31814 @subheading Synopsis
31815
31816 @smallexample
31817 -enable-timings [yes | no]
31818 @end smallexample
31819
31820 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
31821 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
31822 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
31823 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
31824
31825 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31826
31827 No equivalent.
31828
31829 @subheading Example
31830
31831 @smallexample
31832 (gdb)
31833 -enable-timings
31834 ^done
31835 (gdb)
31836 -break-insert main
31837 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
31838 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
31839 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
31840 times="0"@},
31841 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
31842 (gdb)
31843 -enable-timings no
31844 ^done
31845 (gdb)
31846 -exec-run
31847 ^running
31848 (gdb)
31849 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
31850 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
31851 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
31852 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
31853 (gdb)
31854 @end smallexample
31855
31856 @node Annotations
31857 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
31858
31859 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
31860 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
31861 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
31862 relatively high level.
31863
31864 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
31865 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
31866
31867 @ignore
31868 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
31869 @end ignore
31870
31871 @menu
31872 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
31873 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
31874 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
31875 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
31876 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
31877 * Annotations for Running::
31878 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
31879 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
31880 @end menu
31881
31882 @node Annotations Overview
31883 @section What is an Annotation?
31884 @cindex annotations
31885
31886 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
31887 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
31888 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
31889 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
31890 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
31891 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
31892 cannot contain newline characters.
31893
31894 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
31895 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
31896 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
31897 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
31898 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
31899 means those three characters as output.
31900
31901 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
31902 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
31903 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
31904 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
31905 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
31906 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
31907 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
31908 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
31909 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
31910
31911 @table @code
31912 @kindex set annotate
31913 @item set annotate @var{level}
31914 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
31915 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
31916
31917 @item show annotate
31918 @kindex show annotate
31919 Show the current annotation level.
31920 @end table
31921
31922 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
31923
31924 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
31925
31926 @smallexample
31927 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
31928 GNU gdb 6.0
31929 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31930 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
31931 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
31932 under certain conditions.
31933 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31934 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
31935 for details.
31936 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
31937
31938 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31939 (@value{GDBP})
31940 ^Z^Zprompt
31941 @kbd{quit}
31942
31943 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31944 $
31945 @end smallexample
31946
31947 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
31948 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
31949 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
31950 output from @value{GDBN}.
31951
31952 @node Server Prefix
31953 @section The Server Prefix
31954 @cindex server prefix
31955
31956 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
31957 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
31958 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
31959 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
31960 a transparent manner.
31961
31962 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
31963 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
31964 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
31965 @code{print} command.
31966
31967 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
31968 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
31969
31970 @node Prompting
31971 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
31972
31973 @cindex annotations for prompts
31974 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
31975 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
31976 over, etc.
31977
31978 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
31979 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
31980 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
31981 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
31982 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
31983 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
31984 features the following annotations:
31985
31986 @smallexample
31987 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31988 ^Z^Zprompt
31989 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31990 @end smallexample
31991
31992 The input types are
31993
31994 @table @code
31995 @findex pre-prompt annotation
31996 @findex prompt annotation
31997 @findex post-prompt annotation
31998 @item prompt
31999 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
32000
32001 @findex pre-commands annotation
32002 @findex commands annotation
32003 @findex post-commands annotation
32004 @item commands
32005 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
32006 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
32007
32008 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
32009 @findex overload-choice annotation
32010 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
32011 @item overload-choice
32012 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
32013
32014 @findex pre-query annotation
32015 @findex query annotation
32016 @findex post-query annotation
32017 @item query
32018 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
32019
32020 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
32021 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
32022 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
32023 @item prompt-for-continue
32024 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
32025 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
32026 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
32027 presence of annotations.
32028 @end table
32029
32030 @node Errors
32031 @section Errors
32032 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
32033
32034 @findex quit annotation
32035 @smallexample
32036 ^Z^Zquit
32037 @end smallexample
32038
32039 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
32040
32041 @findex error annotation
32042 @smallexample
32043 ^Z^Zerror
32044 @end smallexample
32045
32046 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
32047
32048 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
32049 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
32050 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
32051 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
32052 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
32053 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
32054 to the top level.
32055
32056 @findex error-begin annotation
32057 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
32058
32059 @smallexample
32060 ^Z^Zerror-begin
32061 @end smallexample
32062
32063 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
32064 message.
32065
32066 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
32067 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
32068 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
32069
32070 @node Invalidation
32071 @section Invalidation Notices
32072
32073 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
32074 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
32075 changed.
32076
32077 @table @code
32078 @findex frames-invalid annotation
32079 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
32080
32081 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
32082 have changed.
32083
32084 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
32085 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
32086
32087 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
32088 deleted a breakpoint.
32089 @end table
32090
32091 @node Annotations for Running
32092 @section Running the Program
32093 @cindex annotations for running programs
32094
32095 @findex starting annotation
32096 @findex stopping annotation
32097 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
32098 @code{step} or @code{continue},
32099
32100 @smallexample
32101 ^Z^Zstarting
32102 @end smallexample
32103
32104 is output. When the program stops,
32105
32106 @smallexample
32107 ^Z^Zstopped
32108 @end smallexample
32109
32110 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
32111 annotations describe how the program stopped.
32112
32113 @table @code
32114 @findex exited annotation
32115 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
32116 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
32117 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
32118
32119 @findex signalled annotation
32120 @findex signal-name annotation
32121 @findex signal-name-end annotation
32122 @findex signal-string annotation
32123 @findex signal-string-end annotation
32124 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
32125 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
32126 annotation continues:
32127
32128 @smallexample
32129 @var{intro-text}
32130 ^Z^Zsignal-name
32131 @var{name}
32132 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
32133 @var{middle-text}
32134 ^Z^Zsignal-string
32135 @var{string}
32136 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
32137 @var{end-text}
32138 @end smallexample
32139
32140 @noindent
32141 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
32142 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
32143 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
32144 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
32145 user's benefit and have no particular format.
32146
32147 @findex signal annotation
32148 @item ^Z^Zsignal
32149 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
32150 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
32151 terminated with it.
32152
32153 @findex breakpoint annotation
32154 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
32155 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
32156
32157 @findex watchpoint annotation
32158 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
32159 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
32160 @end table
32161
32162 @node Source Annotations
32163 @section Displaying Source
32164 @cindex annotations for source display
32165
32166 @findex source annotation
32167 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
32168
32169 @smallexample
32170 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
32171 @end smallexample
32172
32173 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
32174 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
32175 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
32176 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
32177 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
32178 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
32179 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
32180 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
32181 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
32182 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
32183 depend on the language).
32184
32185 @node JIT Interface
32186 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
32187 @cindex just-in-time compilation
32188 @cindex JIT compilation interface
32189
32190 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
32191 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
32192 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
32193 performance while maintaining platform independence.
32194
32195 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
32196 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
32197 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
32198 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
32199 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
32200 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
32201
32202 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
32203 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
32204 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
32205 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
32206 LLVM JIT.
32207
32208 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
32209 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
32210 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
32211 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
32212 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
32213 out about additional code.
32214
32215 @menu
32216 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
32217 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
32218 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
32219 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
32220 @end menu
32221
32222 @node Declarations
32223 @section JIT Declarations
32224
32225 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
32226 implement the interface:
32227
32228 @smallexample
32229 typedef enum
32230 @{
32231 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
32232 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
32233 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
32234 @} jit_actions_t;
32235
32236 struct jit_code_entry
32237 @{
32238 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
32239 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
32240 const char *symfile_addr;
32241 uint64_t symfile_size;
32242 @};
32243
32244 struct jit_descriptor
32245 @{
32246 uint32_t version;
32247 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
32248 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
32249 uint32_t action_flag;
32250 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
32251 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
32252 @};
32253
32254 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
32255 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
32256
32257 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
32258 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
32259 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
32260 @end smallexample
32261
32262 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
32263 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
32264 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
32265
32266 @node Registering Code
32267 @section Registering Code
32268
32269 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
32270
32271 @itemize @bullet
32272 @item
32273 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
32274 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
32275
32276 @item
32277 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
32278 file.
32279
32280 @item
32281 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
32282
32283 @item
32284 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
32285
32286 @item
32287 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
32288 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32289 @end itemize
32290
32291 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
32292 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
32293 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
32294 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
32295
32296 @node Unregistering Code
32297 @section Unregistering Code
32298
32299 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
32300
32301 @itemize @bullet
32302 @item
32303 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
32304
32305 @item
32306 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
32307
32308 @item
32309 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
32310 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32311 @end itemize
32312
32313 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
32314 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
32315
32316 @node Custom Debug Info
32317 @section Custom Debug Info
32318 @cindex custom JIT debug info
32319 @cindex JIT debug info reader
32320
32321 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
32322 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
32323 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
32324 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
32325 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
32326 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
32327 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
32328 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
32329 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
32330
32331 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
32332 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
32333 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
32334 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
32335 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
32336 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
32337 compiler.
32338
32339 @menu
32340 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
32341 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
32342 @end menu
32343
32344 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32345 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32346 @kindex jit-reader-load
32347 @kindex jit-reader-unload
32348
32349 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
32350 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
32351
32352 @table @code
32353 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
32354 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
32355 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
32356 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
32357 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
32358 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
32359 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
32360
32361 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
32362 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
32363 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
32364 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
32365 @code{jit-reader-load}.
32366
32367 @item jit-reader-unload
32368 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
32369
32370 @end table
32371
32372 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32373 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32374 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
32375
32376 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
32377 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
32378
32379 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
32380 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
32381 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
32382 the system include directory.
32383
32384 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
32385 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
32386 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
32387
32388 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
32389 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
32390
32391 @findex gdb_init_reader
32392 @smallexample
32393 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
32394 @end smallexample
32395
32396 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
32397
32398 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
32399 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
32400 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
32401 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
32402 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
32403 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
32404
32405 @smallexample
32406 struct gdb_reader_funcs
32407 @{
32408 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
32409 int reader_version;
32410
32411 /* For use by the reader. */
32412 void *priv_data;
32413
32414 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
32415 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
32416 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
32417 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
32418 @};
32419 @end smallexample
32420
32421 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
32422 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
32423
32424 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
32425 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
32426 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
32427 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
32428 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
32429 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
32430 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
32431 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
32432 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
32433 target's address space.
32434
32435 @node In-Process Agent
32436 @chapter In-Process Agent
32437 @cindex debugging agent
32438 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
32439 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
32440 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
32441 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
32442 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
32443 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
32444 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
32445 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
32446 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
32447 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
32448 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
32449 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
32450 behavior without interrupting it.
32451
32452 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
32453 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
32454 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
32455 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
32456 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
32457 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
32458 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
32459 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
32460 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
32461
32462 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
32463 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
32464 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
32465 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
32466
32467 @anchor{Control Agent}
32468 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
32469 debugging with the following commands:
32470
32471 @table @code
32472 @kindex set agent on
32473 @item set agent on
32474 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
32475 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
32476 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
32477 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
32478 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
32479 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
32480
32481 @kindex set agent off
32482 @item set agent off
32483 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
32484 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
32485
32486 @kindex show agent
32487 @item show agent
32488 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
32489 the in-process agent.
32490 @end table
32491
32492 @menu
32493 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
32494 @end menu
32495
32496 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
32497 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
32498 @cindex in-process agent protocol
32499
32500 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
32501 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
32502 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
32503 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
32504 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
32505 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
32506 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
32507 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
32508 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
32509
32510 @menu
32511 * IPA Protocol Objects::
32512 * IPA Protocol Commands::
32513 @end menu
32514
32515 @node IPA Protocol Objects
32516 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
32517 @cindex ipa protocol objects
32518
32519 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
32520 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
32521
32522 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
32523 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
32524 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
32525 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
32526
32527 @enumerate
32528 @item
32529 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
32530 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
32531 @item
32532 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
32533 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
32534 the other one.
32535 @end enumerate
32536
32537 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
32538
32539 @enumerate
32540 @item
32541 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
32542 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
32543 @anchor{agent expression object}
32544 @item
32545 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
32546 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
32547 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
32548 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
32549 @item
32550 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32551 @anchor{tracepoint object}
32552
32553 @end enumerate
32554
32555 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
32556 object:
32557
32558 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
32559 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
32560 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
32561 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
32562 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
32563 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
32564 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32565 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
32566 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
32567 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
32568 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
32569 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
32570 memory address for collecting.
32571 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
32572 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32573 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
32574 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32575 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
32576 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32577 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
32578 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
32579 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
32580 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
32581 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
32582 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
32583 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
32584 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
32585 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
32586 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
32587 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
32588 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
32589 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
32590 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
32591 @ref{agent expression object}
32592 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
32593 @ref{agent expression object}
32594 @item actions @tab variable
32595 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
32596 @end multitable
32597
32598 @node IPA Protocol Commands
32599 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
32600 @cindex ipa protocol commands
32601
32602 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
32603 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
32604
32605 @table @samp
32606
32607 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
32608 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
32609 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
32610 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
32611 in IPA finally.
32612
32613 Replies:
32614 @table @samp
32615 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
32616 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
32617 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
32618 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
32619 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
32620 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
32621 @item E @var{NN}
32622 for an error
32623
32624 @end table
32625
32626 @item close
32627 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
32628 is about to kill inferiors.
32629
32630 @item qTfSTM
32631 @xref{qTfSTM}.
32632 @item qTsSTM
32633 @xref{qTsSTM}.
32634 @item qTSTMat
32635 @xref{qTSTMat}.
32636 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
32637 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
32638
32639 Replies:
32640 @table @samp
32641 @item E @var{NN}
32642 for an error
32643 @end table
32644 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
32645 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
32646 @end table
32647
32648 @node GDB Bugs
32649 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
32650 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
32651 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
32652
32653 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
32654
32655 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
32656 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
32657 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
32658 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
32659
32660 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
32661 information that enables us to fix the bug.
32662
32663 @menu
32664 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
32665 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
32666 @end menu
32667
32668 @node Bug Criteria
32669 @section Have You Found a Bug?
32670 @cindex bug criteria
32671
32672 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
32673
32674 @itemize @bullet
32675 @cindex fatal signal
32676 @cindex debugger crash
32677 @cindex crash of debugger
32678 @item
32679 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
32680 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
32681
32682 @cindex error on valid input
32683 @item
32684 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
32685 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
32686 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
32687
32688 @cindex invalid input
32689 @item
32690 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
32691 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
32692 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
32693 for traditional practice''.
32694
32695 @item
32696 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
32697 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
32698 @end itemize
32699
32700 @node Bug Reporting
32701 @section How to Report Bugs
32702 @cindex bug reports
32703 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
32704
32705 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
32706 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
32707 contact that organization first.
32708
32709 You can find contact information for many support companies and
32710 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
32711 distribution.
32712 @c should add a web page ref...
32713
32714 @ifset BUGURL
32715 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
32716 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32717 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
32718 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
32719 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
32720 be used.
32721
32722 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
32723 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
32724 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
32725 @samp{bug-gdb}.
32726
32727 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
32728 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
32729 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
32730 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
32731 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
32732 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
32733 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
32734 bug reports to the mailing list.
32735 @end ifset
32736 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
32737 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32738 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
32739 @end ifclear
32740 @end ifset
32741
32742 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
32743 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
32744 fact or leave it out, state it!
32745
32746 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
32747 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
32748 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
32749 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
32750 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
32751 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
32752 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
32753 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
32754 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
32755
32756 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
32757 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
32758 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
32759 self-contained.
32760
32761 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
32762 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
32763 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
32764 bugs properly.
32765
32766 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
32767
32768 @itemize @bullet
32769 @item
32770 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
32771 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
32772 version}.
32773
32774 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
32775 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
32776
32777 @item
32778 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
32779 version number.
32780
32781 @item
32782 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
32783 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
32784 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
32785 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
32786
32787 @item
32788 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
32789 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
32790
32791 @item
32792 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
32793 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
32794 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
32795 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
32796 those compilers.
32797
32798 @item
32799 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
32800 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
32801 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
32802 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
32803
32804 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
32805 and then we might not encounter the bug.
32806
32807 @item
32808 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
32809 reproduce the bug.
32810
32811 @item
32812 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
32813 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
32814
32815 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
32816 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
32817 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
32818 a chance to make a mistake.
32819
32820 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
32821 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
32822 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
32823 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
32824 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
32825 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
32826 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
32827 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
32828
32829 @pindex script
32830 @cindex recording a session script
32831 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
32832 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
32833 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
32834 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
32835
32836 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
32837 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
32838
32839 @item
32840 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
32841 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
32842 it by context, not by line number.
32843
32844 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
32845 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
32846
32847 @end itemize
32848
32849 Here are some things that are not necessary:
32850
32851 @itemize @bullet
32852 @item
32853 A description of the envelope of the bug.
32854
32855 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
32856 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
32857 changes will not affect it.
32858
32859 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
32860 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
32861 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
32862 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
32863
32864 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
32865 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
32866 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
32867 less time, and so on.
32868
32869 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
32870 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
32871
32872 @item
32873 A patch for the bug.
32874
32875 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
32876 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
32877 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
32878 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
32879
32880 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
32881 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
32882 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
32883 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
32884
32885 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
32886 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
32887 help us to understand.
32888
32889 @item
32890 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
32891
32892 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
32893 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
32894 @end itemize
32895
32896 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
32897 @c and consists of the two following files:
32898 @c rluser.texi
32899 @c hsuser.texi
32900 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
32901 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
32902 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
32903 @include rluser.texi
32904 @include hsuser.texi
32905 @end ifclear
32906
32907 @node In Memoriam
32908 @appendix In Memoriam
32909
32910 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
32911 contributors:
32912
32913 @table @code
32914 @item Fred Fish
32915 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
32916 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
32917 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
32918
32919 @item Michael Snyder
32920 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
32921 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
32922 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
32923 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
32924 @end table
32925
32926 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
32927 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
32928
32929 @node Formatting Documentation
32930 @appendix Formatting Documentation
32931
32932 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
32933 @cindex reference card
32934 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
32935 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
32936 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
32937 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
32938 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
32939 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
32940
32941 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
32942 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
32943
32944 @smallexample
32945 make refcard.dvi
32946 @end smallexample
32947
32948 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
32949 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
32950 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
32951 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
32952 your @sc{dvi} output program.
32953
32954 @cindex documentation
32955
32956 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
32957 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
32958 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
32959 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
32960 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
32961 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
32962
32963 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
32964 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
32965 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
32966 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
32967 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
32968 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
32969 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
32970 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
32971
32972 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
32973 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
32974 @code{makeinfo}.
32975
32976 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
32977 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
32978 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
32979
32980 @smallexample
32981 cd gdb
32982 make gdb.info
32983 @end smallexample
32984
32985 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
32986 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
32987 Texinfo definitions file.
32988
32989 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
32990 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
32991 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
32992 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
32993 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
32994 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
32995 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
32996
32997 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
32998 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
32999 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
33000 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
33001 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
33002 directory.
33003
33004 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
33005 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
33006 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
33007 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
33008
33009 @smallexample
33010 make gdb.dvi
33011 @end smallexample
33012
33013 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
33014
33015 @node Installing GDB
33016 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
33017 @cindex installation
33018
33019 @menu
33020 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
33021 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
33022 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
33023 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
33024 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
33025 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
33026 @end menu
33027
33028 @node Requirements
33029 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
33030 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
33031
33032 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
33033 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
33034
33035 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
33036 @table @asis
33037 @item ISO C90 compiler
33038 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
33039 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
33040
33041 @end table
33042
33043 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
33044 @table @asis
33045 @item Expat
33046 @anchor{Expat}
33047 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
33048 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
33049 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
33050 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
33051 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
33052 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
33053
33054 Expat is used for:
33055
33056 @itemize @bullet
33057 @item
33058 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
33059 @item
33060 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
33061 @item
33062 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
33063 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
33064 @item
33065 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
33066 @item
33067 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
33068 @item
33069 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
33070 @end itemize
33071
33072 @item zlib
33073 @cindex compressed debug sections
33074 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
33075 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
33076 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
33077 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
33078 information in such binaries.
33079
33080 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
33081 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
33082 @url{http://zlib.net}.
33083
33084 @item iconv
33085 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
33086 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
33087 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
33088 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
33089
33090 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
33091 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
33092 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
33093 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
33094
33095 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
33096 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
33097 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
33098
33099 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
33100 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
33101 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
33102 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
33103 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
33104 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
33105 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
33106 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
33107 @end table
33108
33109 @node Running Configure
33110 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
33111 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
33112 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
33113 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
33114 build the @code{gdb} program.
33115 @iftex
33116 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
33117 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
33118 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
33119 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
33120 @end iftex
33121
33122 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
33123 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
33124 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
33125
33126 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
33127 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
33128
33129 @table @code
33130 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
33131 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
33132
33133 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
33134 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
33135
33136 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
33137 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
33138
33139 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
33140 @sc{gnu} include files
33141
33142 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
33143 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
33144
33145 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
33146 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
33147
33148 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
33149 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
33150
33151 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
33152 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
33153
33154 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
33155 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
33156 @end table
33157
33158 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
33159 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
33160 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
33161
33162 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
33163 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
33164 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
33165 argument.
33166
33167 For example:
33168
33169 @smallexample
33170 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33171 ./configure @var{host}
33172 make
33173 @end smallexample
33174
33175 @noindent
33176 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
33177 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
33178 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
33179 correct value by examining your system.)
33180
33181 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
33182 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
33183 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
33184 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
33185
33186 @need 750
33187 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
33188 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
33189 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
33190
33191 @smallexample
33192 sh configure @var{host}
33193 @end smallexample
33194
33195 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
33196 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
33197 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
33198 @file{configure}
33199 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
33200 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
33201
33202 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
33203 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
33204 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
33205 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
33206 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
33207 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
33208 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
33209 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
33210 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33211
33212 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
33213 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
33214 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
33215 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
33216 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
33217
33218 @node Separate Objdir
33219 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
33220
33221 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
33222 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
33223 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
33224 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
33225 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
33226 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
33227 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
33228 program specified there.
33229
33230 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
33231 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
33232 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
33233 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
33234 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
33235 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
33236
33237 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
33238 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
33239
33240 @smallexample
33241 @group
33242 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33243 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
33244 cd ../gdb-sun4
33245 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
33246 make
33247 @end group
33248 @end smallexample
33249
33250 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
33251 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
33252 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
33253 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
33254 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
33255 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
33256
33257 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
33258 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
33259 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
33260 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
33261 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33262
33263 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
33264 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
33265 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
33266 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
33267 You specify a cross-debugging target by
33268 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
33269
33270 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
33271 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
33272 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
33273
33274 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
33275 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
33276 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
33277 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
33278 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
33279
33280 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
33281 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
33282 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
33283 with each other.
33284
33285 @node Config Names
33286 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
33287
33288 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
33289 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
33290 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
33291 of information in the following pattern:
33292
33293 @smallexample
33294 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
33295 @end smallexample
33296
33297 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
33298 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
33299 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
33300
33301 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
33302 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
33303 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
33304 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
33305 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
33306 abbreviations---for example:
33307
33308 @smallexample
33309 % sh config.sub i386-linux
33310 i386-pc-linux-gnu
33311 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
33312 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
33313 % sh config.sub hp9k700
33314 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
33315 % sh config.sub sun4
33316 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
33317 % sh config.sub sun3
33318 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
33319 % sh config.sub i986v
33320 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
33321 @end smallexample
33322
33323 @noindent
33324 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
33325 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
33326
33327 @node Configure Options
33328 @section @file{configure} Options
33329
33330 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
33331 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
33332 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
33333 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
33334
33335 @smallexample
33336 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
33337 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33338 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33339 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
33340 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
33341 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
33342 @var{host}
33343 @end smallexample
33344
33345 @noindent
33346 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
33347 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
33348 @samp{--}.
33349
33350 @table @code
33351 @item --help
33352 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
33353
33354 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
33355 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
33356 @file{@var{dir}}.
33357
33358 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
33359 Configure the source to install programs under directory
33360 @file{@var{dir}}.
33361
33362 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
33363 @need 2000
33364 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
33365 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
33366 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
33367 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
33368 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
33369 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
33370 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
33371 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
33372 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
33373 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
33374 @var{dirname}.
33375
33376 @item --norecursion
33377 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
33378 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
33379
33380 @item --target=@var{target}
33381 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
33382 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
33383 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
33384
33385 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
33386
33387 @item @var{host} @dots{}
33388 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
33389
33390 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
33391 @end table
33392
33393 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
33394 needed for special purposes only.
33395
33396 @node System-wide configuration
33397 @section System-wide configuration and settings
33398 @cindex system-wide init file
33399
33400 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
33401 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
33402 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
33403
33404 Here is the corresponding configure option:
33405
33406 @table @code
33407 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
33408 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
33409 @var{file}.
33410 @end table
33411
33412 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
33413 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
33414
33415 @itemize @bullet
33416 @item
33417 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
33418 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
33419 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
33420 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
33421 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
33422 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
33423
33424 @item
33425 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
33426 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
33427 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33428 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33429 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
33430 @end itemize
33431
33432 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
33433 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
33434 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
33435 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
33436 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
33437 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
33438 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
33439 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
33440 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
33441 reread.
33442
33443 @menu
33444 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33445 @end menu
33446
33447 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
33448 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33449 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
33450
33451 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
33452 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
33453 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
33454 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
33455 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
33456 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
33457
33458 The following scripts are currently available:
33459 @itemize @bullet
33460
33461 @item @file{elinos.py}
33462 @pindex elinos.py
33463 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
33464 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
33465 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
33466 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
33467 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
33468 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
33469
33470 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
33471 @pindex wrs-linux.py
33472 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
33473 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
33474 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
33475 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
33476
33477 @end itemize
33478
33479 @node Maintenance Commands
33480 @appendix Maintenance Commands
33481 @cindex maintenance commands
33482 @cindex internal commands
33483
33484 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
33485 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
33486 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
33487 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
33488 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
33489
33490 @table @code
33491 @kindex maint agent
33492 @kindex maint agent-eval
33493 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33494 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33495 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
33496 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
33497 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
33498 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
33499 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
33500 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
33501 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
33502 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
33503 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
33504 addition and return the sum.
33505 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
33506 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
33507
33508 @kindex maint agent-printf
33509 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
33510 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
33511 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
33512 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
33513 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
33514
33515 @kindex maint info breakpoints
33516 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
33517 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
33518 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
33519 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
33520 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
33521 is shown:
33522
33523 @table @code
33524 @item breakpoint
33525 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
33526
33527 @item watchpoint
33528 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
33529
33530 @item longjmp
33531 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
33532 @code{longjmp} calls.
33533
33534 @item longjmp resume
33535 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
33536
33537 @item until
33538 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
33539
33540 @item finish
33541 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
33542
33543 @item shlib events
33544 Shared library events.
33545
33546 @end table
33547
33548 @kindex maint info bfds
33549 @item maint info bfds
33550 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
33551 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
33552
33553 @kindex set displaced-stepping
33554 @kindex show displaced-stepping
33555 @cindex displaced stepping support
33556 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
33557 @item set displaced-stepping
33558 @itemx show displaced-stepping
33559 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
33560 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
33561 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
33562 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
33563 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
33564
33565 @table @code
33566 @item set displaced-stepping on
33567 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
33568 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
33569
33570 @item set displaced-stepping off
33571 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
33572 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
33573
33574 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
33575 @item set displaced-stepping auto
33576 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
33577 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
33578 architecture supports displaced stepping.
33579 @end table
33580
33581 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
33582 @item maint check-psymtabs
33583 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
33584 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
33585
33586 @kindex maint check-symtabs
33587 @item maint check-symtabs
33588 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
33589
33590 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
33591 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
33592 Expand symbol tables.
33593 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
33594 names matching @var{regexp}.
33595
33596 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
33597 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33598 @cindex demangler crashes
33599 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
33600 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33601 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
33602 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
33603 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
33604 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
33605 option to terminate the current session.
33606
33607 @kindex maint cplus first_component
33608 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
33609 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
33610
33611 @kindex maint cplus namespace
33612 @item maint cplus namespace
33613 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
33614
33615 @kindex maint deprecate
33616 @kindex maint undeprecate
33617 @cindex deprecated commands
33618 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
33619 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
33620 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
33621 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
33622 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
33623 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
33624 the replacement as part of the warning.
33625
33626 @kindex maint dump-me
33627 @item maint dump-me
33628 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
33629 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
33630 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
33631 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
33632
33633 @kindex maint internal-error
33634 @kindex maint internal-warning
33635 @kindex maint demangler-warning
33636 @cindex demangler crashes
33637 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33638 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33639 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33640
33641 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
33642 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
33643 as though an internal problam has been detected. In addition to
33644 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
33645 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
33646 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
33647 @value{GDBN} session.
33648
33649 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
33650 used as the text of the error or warning message.
33651
33652 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
33653
33654 @smallexample
33655 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
33656 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
33657 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
33658 debugging may prove unreliable.
33659 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33660 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33661 (@value{GDBP})
33662 @end smallexample
33663
33664 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
33665 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
33666 @cindex demangler crashes
33667
33668 @kindex maint set internal-error
33669 @kindex maint show internal-error
33670 @kindex maint set internal-warning
33671 @kindex maint show internal-warning
33672 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
33673 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
33674 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33675 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
33676 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33677 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
33678 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33679 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
33680 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
33681 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
33682 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
33683 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
33684 described in the table below.
33685
33686 @table @samp
33687 @item quit
33688 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33689 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
33690
33691 @item corefile
33692 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33693 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
33694 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
33695 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
33696 disabled.
33697 @end table
33698
33699 @kindex maint packet
33700 @item maint packet @var{text}
33701 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
33702 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
33703 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
33704 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
33705 checksum.
33706
33707 @kindex maint print architecture
33708 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33709 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
33710 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
33711
33712 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
33713 @item maint print c-tdesc
33714 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
33715 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
33716 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
33717
33718 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
33719 @item maint print dummy-frames
33720 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
33721
33722 @smallexample
33723 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
33724 @dots{}
33725 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
33726 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
33727 58 return (a + b);
33728 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
33729 @dots{}
33730 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
33731 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
33732 (@value{GDBP})
33733 @end smallexample
33734
33735 Takes an optional file parameter.
33736
33737 @kindex maint print registers
33738 @kindex maint print raw-registers
33739 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
33740 @kindex maint print register-groups
33741 @kindex maint print remote-registers
33742 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33743 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33744 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33745 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33746 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33747 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
33748
33749 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
33750 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
33751 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
33752 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
33753 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
33754 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
33755 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
33756 and offsets in the `G' packets.
33757
33758 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
33759 write the information.
33760
33761 @kindex maint print reggroups
33762 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33763 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
33764 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
33765 information.
33766
33767 The register groups info looks like this:
33768
33769 @smallexample
33770 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
33771 Group Type
33772 general user
33773 float user
33774 all user
33775 vector user
33776 system user
33777 save internal
33778 restore internal
33779 @end smallexample
33780
33781 @kindex flushregs
33782 @item flushregs
33783 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
33784
33785 @kindex maint print objfiles
33786 @cindex info for known object files
33787 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
33788 Print a dump of all known object files.
33789 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
33790 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
33791 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
33792
33793 @kindex maint print user-registers
33794 @cindex user registers
33795 @item maint print user-registers
33796 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
33797 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
33798 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
33799 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
33800 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
33801 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
33802 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
33803
33804 @kindex maint print section-scripts
33805 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
33806 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
33807 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
33808 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
33809 matching @var{regexp}.
33810 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
33811 and the full path if known.
33812 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
33813
33814 @kindex maint print statistics
33815 @cindex bcache statistics
33816 @item maint print statistics
33817 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
33818 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
33819 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
33820 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
33821 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
33822 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
33823 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
33824 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
33825 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
33826 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
33827 lengths.
33828
33829 @kindex maint print target-stack
33830 @cindex target stack description
33831 @item maint print target-stack
33832 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
33833 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
33834 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
33835 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
33836 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
33837 address.
33838
33839 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
33840 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
33841
33842 @kindex maint print type
33843 @cindex type chain of a data type
33844 @item maint print type @var{expr}
33845 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
33846 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
33847 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
33848 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
33849 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
33850
33851 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33852 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33853 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33854 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33855 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
33856 information.
33857
33858 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
33859 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
33860 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
33861 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
33862 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
33863 always see the disassembly form.
33864
33865 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
33866
33867 @smallexample
33868 (gdb) info addr argc
33869 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
33870 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
33871 @end smallexample
33872
33873 For more information on these expressions, see
33874 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
33875
33876 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33877 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33878 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33879 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33880 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
33881
33882 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
33883 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
33884 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
33885 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
33886 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
33887 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
33888 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
33889 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
33890 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
33891
33892 @kindex maint set profile
33893 @kindex maint show profile
33894 @cindex profiling GDB
33895 @item maint set profile
33896 @itemx maint show profile
33897 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
33898
33899 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
33900 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
33901 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
33902 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
33903 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
33904 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
33905 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
33906
33907 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
33908 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
33909
33910 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
33911 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
33912 @cindex hardware debug registers
33913 @item maint set show-debug-regs
33914 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
33915 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
33916 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
33917 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
33918 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
33919 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
33920
33921 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
33922 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
33923 @item maint set show-all-tib
33924 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
33925 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
33926 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
33927 command.
33928
33929 @kindex maint set target-async
33930 @kindex maint show target-async
33931 @item maint set target-async
33932 @itemx maint show target-async
33933 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
33934 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
33935 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
33936 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
33937
33938 @kindex maint set per-command
33939 @kindex maint show per-command
33940 @item maint set per-command
33941 @itemx maint show per-command
33942 @cindex resources used by commands
33943
33944 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
33945 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
33946
33947 @table @code
33948 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
33949 @itemx maint show per-command space
33950 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
33951 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
33952 took, following the command's own output.
33953 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
33954 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33955
33956 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
33957 @itemx maint show per-command time
33958 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
33959 for each command.
33960 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
33961 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
33962 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
33963 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
33964 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
33965 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
33966 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
33967 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
33968 spent by the program been debugged.
33969 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
33970 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33971
33972 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
33973 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
33974 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
33975 for each command.
33976 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
33977
33978 @enumerate a
33979 @item
33980 number of symbol tables
33981 @item
33982 number of primary symbol tables
33983 @item
33984 number of blocks in the blockvector
33985 @end enumerate
33986 @end table
33987
33988 @kindex maint space
33989 @cindex memory used by commands
33990 @item maint space @var{value}
33991 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
33992 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
33993
33994 @kindex maint time
33995 @cindex time of command execution
33996 @item maint time @var{value}
33997 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
33998 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
33999
34000 @kindex maint translate-address
34001 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34002 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34003 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34004 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34005 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34006 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34007 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34008
34009 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34010 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34011 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34012
34013 @end table
34014
34015 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34016 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34017
34018 @table @code
34019 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34020 @kindex set watchdog
34021 @cindex watchdog timer
34022 @cindex timeout for commands
34023 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34024 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34025 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34026
34027 @item show watchdog
34028 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34029 @end table
34030
34031 @node Remote Protocol
34032 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34033
34034 @menu
34035 * Overview::
34036 * Packets::
34037 * Stop Reply Packets::
34038 * General Query Packets::
34039 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34040 * Tracepoint Packets::
34041 * Host I/O Packets::
34042 * Interrupts::
34043 * Notification Packets::
34044 * Remote Non-Stop::
34045 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34046 * Examples::
34047 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34048 * Library List Format::
34049 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34050 * Memory Map Format::
34051 * Thread List Format::
34052 * Traceframe Info Format::
34053 * Branch Trace Format::
34054 @end menu
34055
34056 @node Overview
34057 @section Overview
34058
34059 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34060 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34061 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34062 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34063
34064 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34065 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34066
34067 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34068 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34069 @cindex remote serial protocol
34070 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34071 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34072 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34073 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34074 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34075
34076 @smallexample
34077 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34078 @end smallexample
34079 @noindent
34080
34081 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
34082 @noindent
34083 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
34084 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
34085 eight bit unsigned checksum).
34086
34087 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
34088 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
34089
34090 @smallexample
34091 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34092 @end smallexample
34093
34094 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
34095 @noindent
34096 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
34097 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
34098 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
34099
34100 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
34101 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34102 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
34103 retransmission):
34104
34105 @smallexample
34106 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34107 <- @code{+}
34108 @end smallexample
34109 @noindent
34110
34111 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
34112 once a connection is established.
34113 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
34114
34115 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
34116 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
34117 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
34118 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
34119 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
34120 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
34121 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
34122
34123 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
34124 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
34125 exceptions).
34126
34127 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
34128 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
34129 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
34130 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
34131
34132 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
34133 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
34134 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
34135
34136 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
34137 @anchor{Binary Data}
34138 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
34139 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
34140 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
34141 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
34142 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
34143 binary data.
34144
34145 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
34146 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
34147 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
34148 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
34149 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
34150 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
34151 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
34152 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
34153 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
34154 (described next).
34155
34156 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
34157 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
34158 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
34159 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
34160 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
34161 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
34162 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
34163 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
34164 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
34165 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
34166 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
34167 3}} more times.
34168
34169 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
34170 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
34171 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
34172 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
34173 @samp{0*"00}.
34174
34175 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
34176 error number. That number is not well defined.
34177
34178 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
34179 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
34180 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
34181 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
34182 on that response.
34183
34184 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
34185 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
34186 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
34187 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
34188 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
34189 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
34190
34191 @node Packets
34192 @section Packets
34193
34194 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
34195 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
34196 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
34197 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
34198
34199 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
34200 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
34201 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
34202 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
34203 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
34204 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
34205 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
34206 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
34207 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
34208 @var{baz}.
34209
34210 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
34211 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
34212 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
34213 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
34214 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
34215 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
34216 pick any thread.
34217
34218 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
34219 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
34220 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
34221 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
34222 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
34223 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
34224 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
34225 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
34226 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
34227 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
34228 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
34229 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
34230 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
34231
34232 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
34233 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
34234 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
34235 more information.
34236
34237 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
34238 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
34239
34240 Here are the packet descriptions.
34241
34242 @table @samp
34243
34244 @item !
34245 @cindex @samp{!} packet
34246 @anchor{extended mode}
34247 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
34248 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
34249 debugged.
34250
34251 Reply:
34252 @table @samp
34253 @item OK
34254 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
34255 @end table
34256
34257 @item ?
34258 @cindex @samp{?} packet
34259 @anchor{? packet}
34260 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
34261 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
34262 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
34263
34264 Reply:
34265 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34266
34267 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
34268 @cindex @samp{A} packet
34269 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
34270 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
34271 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
34272
34273 Reply:
34274 @table @samp
34275 @item OK
34276 The arguments were set.
34277 @item E @var{NN}
34278 An error occurred.
34279 @end table
34280
34281 @item b @var{baud}
34282 @cindex @samp{b} packet
34283 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
34284 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
34285
34286 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
34287 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
34288 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
34289
34290 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
34291 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
34292 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
34293 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
34294 of view, nothing actually happened.}
34295
34296 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
34297 @cindex @samp{B} packet
34298 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
34299 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
34300
34301 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
34302 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
34303
34304 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
34305 @anchor{bc}
34306 @item bc
34307 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
34308 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34309
34310 Reply:
34311 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34312
34313 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
34314 @anchor{bs}
34315 @item bs
34316 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
34317 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34318
34319 Reply:
34320 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34321
34322 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34323 @cindex @samp{c} packet
34324 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
34325 is omitted, resume at current address.
34326
34327 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34328 packet}.
34329
34330 Reply:
34331 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34332
34333 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34334 @cindex @samp{C} packet
34335 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
34336 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
34337
34338 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34339 packet}.
34340
34341 Reply:
34342 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34343
34344 @item d
34345 @cindex @samp{d} packet
34346 Toggle debug flag.
34347
34348 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
34349 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
34350
34351 @item D
34352 @itemx D;@var{pid}
34353 @cindex @samp{D} packet
34354 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
34355 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
34356 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
34357
34358 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
34359 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
34360 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
34361 big-endian hex string.
34362
34363 Reply:
34364 @table @samp
34365 @item OK
34366 for success
34367 @item E @var{NN}
34368 for an error
34369 @end table
34370
34371 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
34372 @cindex @samp{F} packet
34373 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
34374 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
34375 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
34376
34377 @item g
34378 @anchor{read registers packet}
34379 @cindex @samp{g} packet
34380 Read general registers.
34381
34382 Reply:
34383 @table @samp
34384 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34385 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
34386 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
34387 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
34388 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
34389 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
34390 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
34391
34392 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
34393 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
34394 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
34395 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
34396 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
34397 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
34398 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
34399 have been collected, and both have zero value:
34400
34401 @smallexample
34402 -> @code{g}
34403 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
34404 @end smallexample
34405
34406 @item E @var{NN}
34407 for an error.
34408 @end table
34409
34410 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
34411 @cindex @samp{G} packet
34412 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
34413 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
34414
34415 Reply:
34416 @table @samp
34417 @item OK
34418 for success
34419 @item E @var{NN}
34420 for an error
34421 @end table
34422
34423 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
34424 @cindex @samp{H} packet
34425 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
34426 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
34427 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
34428 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
34429 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
34430 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
34431 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34432
34433 Reply:
34434 @table @samp
34435 @item OK
34436 for success
34437 @item E @var{NN}
34438 for an error
34439 @end table
34440
34441 @c FIXME: JTC:
34442 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
34443 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
34444 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
34445 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
34446 @c described. For example:
34447 @c
34448 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34449 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
34450 @c otherwise returns current registers.
34451 @c
34452 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34453 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
34454 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
34455
34456 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
34457 @anchor{cycle step packet}
34458 @cindex @samp{i} packet
34459 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
34460 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
34461 step starting at that address.
34462
34463 @item I
34464 @cindex @samp{I} packet
34465 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
34466 step packet}.
34467
34468 @item k
34469 @cindex @samp{k} packet
34470 Kill request.
34471
34472 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
34473
34474 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
34475 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
34476
34477 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
34478
34479 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
34480 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
34481 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
34482
34483 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
34484 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
34485 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
34486
34487 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
34488 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
34489 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
34490 (@pxref{? packet}).
34491
34492 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
34493 @cindex @samp{m} packet
34494 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34495 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
34496
34497 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
34498 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
34499 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
34500 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
34501 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
34502 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
34503 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
34504 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
34505
34506 Reply:
34507 @table @samp
34508 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34509 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
34510 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
34511 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
34512 @item E @var{NN}
34513 @var{NN} is errno
34514 @end table
34515
34516 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34517 @cindex @samp{M} packet
34518 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34519 The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
34520 hexadecimal number.
34521
34522 Reply:
34523 @table @samp
34524 @item OK
34525 for success
34526 @item E @var{NN}
34527 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
34528 written).
34529 @end table
34530
34531 @item p @var{n}
34532 @cindex @samp{p} packet
34533 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
34534 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
34535 register value is encoded.
34536
34537 Reply:
34538 @table @samp
34539 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34540 the register's value
34541 @item E @var{NN}
34542 for an error
34543 @item @w{}
34544 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
34545 @end table
34546
34547 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
34548 @anchor{write register packet}
34549 @cindex @samp{P} packet
34550 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
34551 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
34552 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
34553
34554 Reply:
34555 @table @samp
34556 @item OK
34557 for success
34558 @item E @var{NN}
34559 for an error
34560 @end table
34561
34562 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34563 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34564 @cindex @samp{q} packet
34565 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
34566 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
34567 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
34568
34569 @item r
34570 @cindex @samp{r} packet
34571 Reset the entire system.
34572
34573 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
34574
34575 @item R @var{XX}
34576 @cindex @samp{R} packet
34577 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
34578 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34579
34580 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
34581
34582 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34583 @cindex @samp{s} packet
34584 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
34585 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
34586
34587 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34588 packet}.
34589
34590 Reply:
34591 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34592
34593 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34594 @anchor{step with signal packet}
34595 @cindex @samp{S} packet
34596 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
34597 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
34598
34599 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34600 packet}.
34601
34602 Reply:
34603 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34604
34605 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
34606 @cindex @samp{t} packet
34607 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
34608 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
34609 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
34610
34611 @item T @var{thread-id}
34612 @cindex @samp{T} packet
34613 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34614
34615 Reply:
34616 @table @samp
34617 @item OK
34618 thread is still alive
34619 @item E @var{NN}
34620 thread is dead
34621 @end table
34622
34623 @item v
34624 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
34625 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
34626
34627 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
34628 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
34629 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
34630 The process ID is a
34631 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
34632 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
34633 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
34634
34635 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
34636 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
34637 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
34638 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
34639 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
34640 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
34641 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
34642 @c stopping or restarting threads.
34643
34644 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34645
34646 Reply:
34647 @table @samp
34648 @item E @var{nn}
34649 for an error
34650 @item @r{Any stop packet}
34651 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34652 @item OK
34653 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
34654 @end table
34655
34656 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
34657 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
34658 @anchor{vCont packet}
34659 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
34660 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
34661 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
34662 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
34663 in their current state in non-stop mode.
34664 Specifying multiple
34665 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
34666 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34667
34668 Currently supported actions are:
34669
34670 @table @samp
34671 @item c
34672 Continue.
34673 @item C @var{sig}
34674 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34675 @item s
34676 Step.
34677 @item S @var{sig}
34678 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34679 @item t
34680 Stop.
34681 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
34682 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
34683 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
34684 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
34685 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
34686 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
34687
34688 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
34689 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
34690 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
34691 jumps to @var{start}).
34692
34693 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
34694 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
34695 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
34696
34697 @end table
34698
34699 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
34700 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
34701 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
34702
34703 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
34704 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
34705 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
34706 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
34707 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
34708 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
34709 as an implementation detail.
34710
34711 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
34712 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
34713 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
34714 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
34715 @var{thread-id}.
34716
34717 Reply:
34718 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34719
34720 @item vCont?
34721 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
34722 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
34723
34724 Reply:
34725 @table @samp
34726 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
34727 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
34728 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
34729 @item @w{}
34730 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
34731 @end table
34732
34733 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
34734 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
34735 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
34736 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
34737
34738 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
34739 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
34740 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
34741 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
34742 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
34743 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
34744 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
34745 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
34746 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34747 packet is received.
34748
34749 Reply:
34750 @table @samp
34751 @item OK
34752 for success
34753 @item E @var{NN}
34754 for an error
34755 @end table
34756
34757 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34758 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
34759 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
34760 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
34761 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
34762 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
34763 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
34764 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
34765 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
34766 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
34767 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
34768 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
34769
34770
34771 Reply:
34772 @table @samp
34773 @item OK
34774 for success
34775 @item E.memtype
34776 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
34777 @item E @var{NN}
34778 for an error
34779 @end table
34780
34781 @item vFlashDone
34782 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
34783 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
34784 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
34785 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
34786 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
34787 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34788 request is completed.
34789
34790 @item vKill;@var{pid}
34791 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
34792 @anchor{vKill packet}
34793 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
34794 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
34795 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
34796 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
34797
34798 Reply:
34799 @table @samp
34800 @item E @var{nn}
34801 for an error
34802 @item OK
34803 for success
34804 @end table
34805
34806 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
34807 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
34808 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
34809 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
34810 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
34811 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
34812 state.
34813
34814 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
34815
34816 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34817
34818 Reply:
34819 @table @samp
34820 @item E @var{nn}
34821 for an error
34822 @item @r{Any stop packet}
34823 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34824 @end table
34825
34826 @item vStopped
34827 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
34828 @xref{Notification Packets}.
34829
34830 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34831 @anchor{X packet}
34832 @cindex @samp{X} packet
34833 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
34834 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of bytes @var{length};
34835 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34836
34837 Reply:
34838 @table @samp
34839 @item OK
34840 for success
34841 @item E @var{NN}
34842 for an error
34843 @end table
34844
34845 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34846 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34847 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
34848 @cindex @samp{z} packet
34849 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
34850 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
34851 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
34852
34853 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
34854 separately.
34855
34856 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
34857 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
34858 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
34859 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
34860 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
34861 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
34862
34863 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34864 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34865 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
34866 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
34867 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
34868 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
34869
34870 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
34871 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
34872 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
34873 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
34874 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
34875 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
34876 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
34877 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
34878 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
34879 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
34880
34881 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
34882 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
34883
34884 @table @samp
34885
34886 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34887 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
34888 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
34889
34890 @end table
34891
34892 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
34893 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
34894 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
34895 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
34896 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
34897 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
34898 separators. Each expression has the following form:
34899
34900 @table @samp
34901
34902 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34903 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
34904 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
34905
34906 @end table
34907
34908 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
34909
34910 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
34911 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
34912 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
34913 target, is not defined.}
34914
34915 Reply:
34916 @table @samp
34917 @item OK
34918 success
34919 @item @w{}
34920 not supported
34921 @item E @var{NN}
34922 for an error
34923 @end table
34924
34925 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34926 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34927 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
34928 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
34929 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
34930 address @var{addr}.
34931
34932 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
34933 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. The @var{kind}
34934 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
34935
34936 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
34937 movement.}
34938
34939 Reply:
34940 @table @samp
34941 @item OK
34942 success
34943 @item @w{}
34944 not supported
34945 @item E @var{NN}
34946 for an error
34947 @end table
34948
34949 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34950 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34951 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
34952 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
34953 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34954 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34955
34956 Reply:
34957 @table @samp
34958 @item OK
34959 success
34960 @item @w{}
34961 not supported
34962 @item E @var{NN}
34963 for an error
34964 @end table
34965
34966 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34967 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34968 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
34969 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
34970 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34971 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34972
34973 Reply:
34974 @table @samp
34975 @item OK
34976 success
34977 @item @w{}
34978 not supported
34979 @item E @var{NN}
34980 for an error
34981 @end table
34982
34983 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34984 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34985 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
34986 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
34987 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34988 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34989
34990 Reply:
34991 @table @samp
34992 @item OK
34993 success
34994 @item @w{}
34995 not supported
34996 @item E @var{NN}
34997 for an error
34998 @end table
34999
35000 @end table
35001
35002 @node Stop Reply Packets
35003 @section Stop Reply Packets
35004 @cindex stop reply packets
35005
35006 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35007 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35008 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35009 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35010 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35011 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35012 @value{GDBN} source code.
35013
35014 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35015 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35016 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35017 components.
35018
35019 @table @samp
35020
35021 @item S @var{AA}
35022 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35023 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35024 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35025
35026 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35027 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35028 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35029 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35030 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35031 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35032 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35033 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35034
35035 @itemize @bullet
35036 @item
35037 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35038 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
35039 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35040 two-digit hex number.
35041
35042 @item
35043 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35044 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35045
35046 @item
35047 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35048 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35049
35050 @item
35051 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35052 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35053 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35054 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35055
35056 @item
35057 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35058 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35059 future.
35060 @end itemize
35061
35062 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35063
35064 @table @samp
35065 @item watch
35066 @itemx rwatch
35067 @itemx awatch
35068 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35069 hex.
35070
35071 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35072 @item library
35073 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35074 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35075 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
35076
35077 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35078 @item replaylog
35079 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35080 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35081 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35082 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35083 for more information.
35084 @end table
35085
35086 @item W @var{AA}
35087 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35088 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35089 applicable to certain targets.
35090
35091 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35092 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35093 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35094 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35095
35096 @item X @var{AA}
35097 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35098 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35099
35100 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35101 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
35102 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
35103 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35104
35105 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
35106 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
35107 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
35108 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
35109 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
35110
35111 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
35112 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
35113 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
35114 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
35115 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
35116 system calls.
35117
35118 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
35119 this very system call.
35120
35121 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
35122 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
35123 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
35124 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35125 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
35126 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
35127
35128 @end table
35129
35130 @node General Query Packets
35131 @section General Query Packets
35132 @cindex remote query requests
35133
35134 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
35135 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
35136 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
35137 sending information to and from the stub.
35138
35139 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
35140 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
35141 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
35142 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
35143 conventions:
35144
35145 @itemize @bullet
35146 @item
35147 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
35148 @item
35149 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
35150 letter.
35151 @item
35152 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
35153 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
35154 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
35155 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
35156 @end itemize
35157
35158 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
35159 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
35160 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
35161 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
35162 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
35163 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
35164 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
35165 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
35166 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
35167 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
35168 packet.}.
35169
35170 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
35171 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
35172 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
35173 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
35174 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
35175
35176 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
35177
35178 @table @samp
35179
35180 @item QAgent:1
35181 @itemx QAgent:0
35182 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
35183 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
35184
35185 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
35186 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
35187 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
35188 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
35189 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
35190 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
35191 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
35192 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
35193 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
35194 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
35195 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
35196
35197 @item qC
35198 @cindex current thread, remote request
35199 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
35200 Return the current thread ID.
35201
35202 Reply:
35203 @table @samp
35204 @item QC @var{thread-id}
35205 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
35206 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35207 @item @r{(anything else)}
35208 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
35209 @end table
35210
35211 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
35212 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
35213 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
35214 @anchor{qCRC packet}
35215 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
35216 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
35217 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
35218 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
35219
35220 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
35221 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
35222 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
35223 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
35224 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
35225 detect trailing zeros.
35226
35227 Reply:
35228 @table @samp
35229 @item E @var{NN}
35230 An error (such as memory fault)
35231 @item C @var{crc32}
35232 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
35233 @end table
35234
35235 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
35236 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
35237 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
35238 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
35239 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
35240 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
35241 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
35242 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
35243 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
35244 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
35245 randomization.
35246
35247 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35248
35249 Reply:
35250 @table @samp
35251 @item OK
35252 The request succeeded.
35253
35254 @item E @var{nn}
35255 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35256
35257 @item @w{}
35258 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
35259 by the stub.
35260 @end table
35261
35262 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35263 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35264 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
35265 address space randomization.
35266
35267 @item qfThreadInfo
35268 @itemx qsThreadInfo
35269 @cindex list active threads, remote request
35270 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
35271 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
35272 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
35273 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
35274 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
35275 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
35276 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
35277 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
35278
35279 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
35280
35281 Reply:
35282 @table @samp
35283 @item m @var{thread-id}
35284 A single thread ID
35285 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
35286 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
35287 @item l
35288 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
35289 @end table
35290
35291 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
35292 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
35293 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
35294 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
35295 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
35296 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35297 fields.
35298
35299 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
35300 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
35301 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
35302 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
35303 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
35304
35305 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
35306 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
35307 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
35308 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
35309 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
35310
35311 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
35312 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35313
35314 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
35315 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
35316 information associated with the variable.)
35317
35318 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
35319 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
35320 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
35321 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
35322 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
35323 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
35324
35325 Reply:
35326 @table @samp
35327 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35328 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
35329 local storage requested.
35330
35331 @item E @var{nn}
35332 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35333
35334 @item @w{}
35335 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35336 @end table
35337
35338 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
35339 @cindex get thread information block address
35340 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
35341 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
35342
35343 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
35344
35345 Reply:
35346 @table @samp
35347 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35348 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
35349 thread information block.
35350
35351 @item E @var{nn}
35352 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
35353 address could not be retrieved.
35354
35355 @item @w{}
35356 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35357 @end table
35358
35359 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
35360 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
35361 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
35362 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
35363 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
35364 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
35365 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
35366
35367 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
35368
35369 Reply:
35370 @table @samp
35371 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
35372 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
35373 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
35374 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
35375 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
35376 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
35377 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
35378 @end table
35379
35380 @item qOffsets
35381 @cindex section offsets, remote request
35382 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
35383 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
35384 image.
35385
35386 Reply:
35387 @table @samp
35388 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
35389 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
35390 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
35391 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
35392 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
35393 segments by the supplied offsets.
35394
35395 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
35396 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
35397 to the @code{Bss} section.}
35398
35399 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
35400 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
35401 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
35402 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
35403 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
35404 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
35405 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
35406 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
35407 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
35408 @end table
35409
35410 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
35411 @cindex thread information, remote request
35412 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
35413 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
35414 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
35415 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
35416
35417 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
35418 (see below).
35419
35420 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
35421
35422 @item QNonStop:1
35423 @itemx QNonStop:0
35424 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
35425 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
35426 @anchor{QNonStop}
35427 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
35428 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
35429
35430 Reply:
35431 @table @samp
35432 @item OK
35433 The request succeeded.
35434
35435 @item E @var{nn}
35436 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35437
35438 @item @w{}
35439 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
35440 the stub.
35441 @end table
35442
35443 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35444 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35445 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
35446 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
35447
35448 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35449 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
35450 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35451 @anchor{QPassSignals}
35452 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
35453 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35454 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35455 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
35456 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
35457 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
35458 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
35459 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
35460 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
35461
35462 Reply:
35463 @table @samp
35464 @item OK
35465 The request succeeded.
35466
35467 @item E @var{nn}
35468 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35469
35470 @item @w{}
35471 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
35472 the stub.
35473 @end table
35474
35475 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
35476 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
35477 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35478 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35479
35480 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35481 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
35482 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
35483 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
35484 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
35485 Others should be silently discarded.
35486
35487 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
35488 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
35489 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
35490 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
35491 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
35492 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
35493 signals.
35494
35495 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
35496 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
35497
35498 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35499 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35500 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
35501 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
35502 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
35503
35504 Reply:
35505 @table @samp
35506 @item OK
35507 The request succeeded.
35508
35509 @item E @var{nn}
35510 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35511
35512 @item @w{}
35513 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
35514 by the stub.
35515 @end table
35516
35517 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
35518 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
35519 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35520 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35521
35522 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
35523 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
35524 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
35525 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
35526 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
35527 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
35528 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
35529 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
35530 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
35531
35532 Reply:
35533 @table @samp
35534 @item OK
35535 A command response with no output.
35536 @item @var{OUTPUT}
35537 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
35538 @item E @var{NN}
35539 Indicate a badly formed request.
35540 @item @w{}
35541 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
35542 @end table
35543
35544 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
35545 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
35546 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
35547 packets.)
35548
35549 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
35550 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
35551 @ifnotinfo
35552 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
35553 @end ifnotinfo
35554 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
35555 @anchor{qSearch memory}
35556 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
35557 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
35558 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
35559
35560 Reply:
35561 @table @samp
35562 @item 0
35563 The pattern was not found.
35564 @item 1,address
35565 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
35566 @item E @var{NN}
35567 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
35568 @item @w{}
35569 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
35570 @end table
35571
35572 @item QStartNoAckMode
35573 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
35574 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
35575 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
35576 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
35577
35578 Reply:
35579 @table @samp
35580 @item OK
35581 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
35582 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
35583 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
35584 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
35585 @item @w{}
35586 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
35587 @end table
35588
35589 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
35590 @cindex supported packets, remote query
35591 @cindex features of the remote protocol
35592 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
35593 @anchor{qSupported}
35594 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
35595 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
35596 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
35597 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
35598 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
35599 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
35600 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
35601 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
35602 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
35603 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
35604 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
35605 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
35606 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
35607 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
35608
35609 Reply:
35610 @table @samp
35611 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
35612 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
35613 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
35614 possible forms).
35615 @item @w{}
35616 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
35617 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
35618 @end table
35619
35620 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
35621 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
35622 are:
35623
35624 @table @samp
35625 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
35626 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
35627 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
35628 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
35629 @item @var{name}+
35630 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
35631 need an associated value.
35632 @item @var{name}-
35633 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
35634 @item @var{name}?
35635 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
35636 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
35637 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
35638 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
35639 @end table
35640
35641 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
35642 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
35643 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
35644 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
35645 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
35646
35647 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
35648 are defined:
35649
35650 @table @samp
35651 @item multiprocess
35652 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
35653 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
35654 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
35655 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
35656 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
35657
35658 @item xmlRegisters
35659 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
35660 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
35661 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
35662 description.
35663
35664 @item qRelocInsn
35665 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
35666 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
35667 instruction reply packet}).
35668 @end table
35669
35670 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
35671 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
35672 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
35673 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
35674 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
35675 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
35676 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
35677 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
35678 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
35679 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
35680 all the features it supports.
35681
35682 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
35683 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
35684
35685 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
35686 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
35687 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
35688 form response.
35689
35690 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
35691 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
35692 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
35693 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
35694
35695 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
35696 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
35697 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
35698 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
35699 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
35700
35701 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
35702
35703 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
35704 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
35705 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
35706 @item Feature Name
35707 @tab Value Required
35708 @tab Default
35709 @tab Probe Allowed
35710
35711 @item @samp{PacketSize}
35712 @tab Yes
35713 @tab @samp{-}
35714 @tab No
35715
35716 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
35717 @tab No
35718 @tab @samp{-}
35719 @tab Yes
35720
35721 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
35722 @tab No
35723 @tab @samp{-}
35724 @tab Yes
35725
35726 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
35727 @tab No
35728 @tab @samp{-}
35729 @tab Yes
35730
35731 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35732 @tab No
35733 @tab @samp{-}
35734 @tab Yes
35735
35736 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
35737 @tab No
35738 @tab @samp{-}
35739 @tab Yes
35740
35741 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
35742 @tab No
35743 @tab @samp{-}
35744 @tab No
35745
35746 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35747 @tab No
35748 @tab @samp{-}
35749 @tab Yes
35750
35751 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
35752 @tab No
35753 @tab @samp{-}
35754 @tab Yes
35755
35756 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
35757 @tab No
35758 @tab @samp{-}
35759 @tab Yes
35760
35761 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
35762 @tab No
35763 @tab @samp{-}
35764 @tab Yes
35765
35766 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
35767 @tab No
35768 @tab @samp{-}
35769 @tab Yes
35770
35771 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
35772 @tab No
35773 @tab @samp{-}
35774 @tab Yes
35775
35776 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
35777 @tab No
35778 @tab @samp{-}
35779 @tab Yes
35780
35781 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35782 @tab No
35783 @tab @samp{-}
35784 @tab Yes
35785
35786 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35787 @tab No
35788 @tab @samp{-}
35789 @tab Yes
35790
35791 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35792 @tab No
35793 @tab @samp{-}
35794 @tab Yes
35795
35796 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
35797 @tab Yes
35798 @tab @samp{-}
35799 @tab Yes
35800
35801 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
35802 @tab Yes
35803 @tab @samp{-}
35804 @tab Yes
35805
35806 @item @samp{QNonStop}
35807 @tab No
35808 @tab @samp{-}
35809 @tab Yes
35810
35811 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
35812 @tab No
35813 @tab @samp{-}
35814 @tab Yes
35815
35816 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
35817 @tab No
35818 @tab @samp{-}
35819 @tab Yes
35820
35821 @item @samp{multiprocess}
35822 @tab No
35823 @tab @samp{-}
35824 @tab No
35825
35826 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
35827 @tab No
35828 @tab @samp{-}
35829 @tab No
35830
35831 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
35832 @tab No
35833 @tab @samp{-}
35834 @tab No
35835
35836 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
35837 @tab No
35838 @tab @samp{-}
35839 @tab No
35840
35841 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
35842 @tab No
35843 @tab @samp{-}
35844 @tab No
35845
35846 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
35847 @tab No
35848 @tab @samp{-}
35849 @tab No
35850
35851 @item @samp{QAgent}
35852 @tab No
35853 @tab @samp{-}
35854 @tab No
35855
35856 @item @samp{QAllow}
35857 @tab No
35858 @tab @samp{-}
35859 @tab No
35860
35861 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
35862 @tab No
35863 @tab @samp{-}
35864 @tab No
35865
35866 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
35867 @tab No
35868 @tab @samp{-}
35869 @tab No
35870
35871 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
35872 @tab No
35873 @tab @samp{-}
35874 @tab No
35875
35876 @item @samp{tracenz}
35877 @tab No
35878 @tab @samp{-}
35879 @tab No
35880
35881 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
35882 @tab No
35883 @tab @samp{-}
35884 @tab No
35885
35886 @end multitable
35887
35888 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
35889
35890 @table @samp
35891 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
35892 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
35893 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
35894 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
35895 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
35896 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
35897 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
35898 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
35899 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
35900 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
35901
35902 @item qXfer:auxv:read
35903 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
35904 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
35905
35906 @item qXfer:btrace:read
35907 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
35908 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
35909
35910 @item qXfer:features:read
35911 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
35912 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
35913
35914 @item qXfer:libraries:read
35915 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
35916 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
35917
35918 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
35919 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
35920 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
35921
35922 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
35923 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
35924 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
35925 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
35926
35927 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
35928 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
35929 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
35930
35931 @item qXfer:sdata:read
35932 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
35933 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
35934
35935 @item qXfer:spu:read
35936 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
35937 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
35938
35939 @item qXfer:spu:write
35940 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
35941 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
35942
35943 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
35944 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
35945 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
35946
35947 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
35948 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
35949 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
35950
35951 @item qXfer:threads:read
35952 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35953 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
35954
35955 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
35956 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35957 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
35958
35959 @item qXfer:uib:read
35960 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35961 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
35962
35963 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
35964 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35965 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
35966
35967 @item QNonStop
35968 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
35969 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
35970
35971 @item QPassSignals
35972 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35973 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
35974
35975 @item QStartNoAckMode
35976 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
35977 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
35978
35979 @item multiprocess
35980 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
35981 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
35982 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
35983 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
35984 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
35985 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
35986 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
35987 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
35988 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
35989 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
35990 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
35991
35992 @item qXfer:osdata:read
35993 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
35994 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
35995
35996 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
35997 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
35998 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
35999 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36000
36001 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36002 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36003 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36004
36005 @item ReverseContinue
36006 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36007 (@pxref{bc}).
36008
36009 @item ReverseStep
36010 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36011 (@pxref{bs}).
36012
36013 @item TracepointSource
36014 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36015 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36016
36017 @item QAgent
36018 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36019
36020 @item QAllow
36021 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36022
36023 @item QDisableRandomization
36024 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36025
36026 @item StaticTracepoint
36027 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36028 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36029
36030 @item InstallInTrace
36031 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36032 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36033
36034 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36035 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36036 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36037 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36038
36039 @item QTBuffer:size
36040 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
36041 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
36042
36043 @item tracenz
36044 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36045 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36046 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36047
36048 @item BreakpointCommands
36049 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36050 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36051 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36052
36053 @item Qbtrace:off
36054 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
36055
36056 @item Qbtrace:bts
36057 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
36058
36059 @end table
36060
36061 @item qSymbol::
36062 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36063 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36064 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36065 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36066
36067 Reply:
36068 @table @samp
36069 @item OK
36070 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36071 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36072 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36073 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36074 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36075 below.
36076 @end table
36077
36078 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36079 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36080
36081 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36082 target has previously requested.
36083
36084 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36085 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36086 will be empty.
36087
36088 Reply:
36089 @table @samp
36090 @item OK
36091 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36092 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36093 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36094 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36095 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36096 @end table
36097
36098 @item qTBuffer
36099 @itemx QTBuffer
36100 @itemx QTDisconnected
36101 @itemx QTDP
36102 @itemx QTDPsrc
36103 @itemx QTDV
36104 @itemx qTfP
36105 @itemx qTfV
36106 @itemx QTFrame
36107 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36108
36109 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36110
36111 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36112 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36113 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36114 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
36115 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
36116 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
36117 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36118 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36119 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36120 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36121 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36122
36123 Reply:
36124 @table @samp
36125 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36126 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36127 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36128 the thread's attributes.
36129 @end table
36130
36131 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36132 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36133 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36134 packets.)
36135
36136 @item QTNotes
36137 @itemx qTP
36138 @itemx QTSave
36139 @itemx qTsP
36140 @itemx qTsV
36141 @itemx QTStart
36142 @itemx QTStop
36143 @itemx QTEnable
36144 @itemx QTDisable
36145 @itemx QTinit
36146 @itemx QTro
36147 @itemx qTStatus
36148 @itemx qTV
36149 @itemx qTfSTM
36150 @itemx qTsSTM
36151 @itemx qTSTMat
36152 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36153
36154 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36155 @cindex read special object, remote request
36156 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
36157 @anchor{qXfer read}
36158 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
36159 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
36160 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
36161 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
36162 additional details about what data to access.
36163
36164 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36165 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36166 formats, listed below.
36167
36168 @table @samp
36169 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36170 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
36171 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
36172 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
36173
36174 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36175 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36176
36177 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36178 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
36179
36180 Return a description of the current branch trace.
36181 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
36182 packet may have one of the following values:
36183
36184 @table @code
36185 @item all
36186 Returns all available branch trace.
36187
36188 @item new
36189 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
36190 the last read request.
36191
36192 @item delta
36193 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
36194 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
36195 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
36196 used to stitch traces together.
36197
36198 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
36199 @end table
36200
36201 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
36202 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36203
36204 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36205 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
36206 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
36207 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
36208 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
36209
36210 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36211 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36212
36213 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36214 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
36215 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
36216 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36217 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36218
36219 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
36220 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
36221 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
36222
36223 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36224 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36225
36226 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36227 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
36228 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
36229 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
36230 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
36231 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
36232 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36233 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
36234
36235 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
36236 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
36237
36238 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36239 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36240
36241 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
36242 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
36243 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
36244 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
36245
36246 @table @code
36247 @item start=@var{address}
36248 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
36249 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
36250 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
36251 chosen as the starting point.
36252
36253 @item prev=@var{address}
36254 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
36255 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
36256 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
36257 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
36258 exists prior to the starting point.
36259
36260 @end table
36261
36262 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
36263 ignored.
36264
36265 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36266 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
36267 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
36268 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36269 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36270
36271 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36272 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36273
36274 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36275 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
36276
36277 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
36278 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
36279 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
36280 Action Lists}.
36281
36282 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36283 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36284 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36285
36286 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36287 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
36288 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
36289 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
36290 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36291
36292 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36293 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36294 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36295
36296 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36297 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
36298 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
36299 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
36300 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
36301 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
36302 in that context to be accessed.
36303
36304 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36305 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36306 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36307
36308 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36309 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
36310 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
36311 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36312 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36313
36314 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36315 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36316
36317 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36318 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
36319
36320 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
36321 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
36322 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36323
36324 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36325 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36326
36327 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36328 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
36329
36330 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
36331 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
36332
36333 This packet is not probed by default.
36334
36335 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36336 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
36337 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
36338 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
36339 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
36340
36341 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36342 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36343
36344 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36345 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
36346 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
36347 @xref{Operating System Information}.
36348
36349 @end table
36350
36351 Reply:
36352 @table @samp
36353 @item m @var{data}
36354 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
36355 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
36356 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
36357 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
36358 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
36359 request.
36360
36361 @item l @var{data}
36362 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
36363 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
36364 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
36365
36366 @item l
36367 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
36368 There is no more data to be read.
36369
36370 @item E00
36371 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
36372
36373 @item E @var{nn}
36374 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
36375 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
36376
36377 @item @w{}
36378 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
36379 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
36380 @end table
36381
36382 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36383 @cindex write data into object, remote request
36384 @anchor{qXfer write}
36385 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
36386 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
36387 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
36388 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
36389 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
36390 to access.
36391
36392 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36393 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36394 formats, listed below.
36395
36396 @table @samp
36397 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36398 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
36399 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
36400 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
36401 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
36402
36403 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36404 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36405 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36406
36407 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36408 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
36409 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
36410 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
36411 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
36412 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
36413 in that context to be accessed.
36414
36415 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36416 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36417 @end table
36418
36419 Reply:
36420 @table @samp
36421 @item @var{nn}
36422 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
36423 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
36424
36425 @item E00
36426 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
36427
36428 @item E @var{nn}
36429 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
36430 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
36431
36432 @item @w{}
36433 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
36434 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
36435 @end table
36436
36437 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
36438 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
36439 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
36440 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
36441 must respond with an empty packet.
36442
36443 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
36444 @cindex query attached, remote request
36445 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
36446 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
36447 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
36448 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
36449 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
36450 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
36451 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
36452
36453 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
36454 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
36455 the @code{quit} command.
36456
36457 Reply:
36458 @table @samp
36459 @item 1
36460 The remote server attached to an existing process.
36461 @item 0
36462 The remote server created a new process.
36463 @item E @var{NN}
36464 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36465 @end table
36466
36467 @item Qbtrace:bts
36468 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
36469
36470 Reply:
36471 @table @samp
36472 @item OK
36473 Branch tracing has been enabled.
36474 @item E.errtext
36475 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36476 @end table
36477
36478 @item Qbtrace:off
36479 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
36480
36481 Reply:
36482 @table @samp
36483 @item OK
36484 Branch tracing has been disabled.
36485 @item E.errtext
36486 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36487 @end table
36488
36489 @end table
36490
36491 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
36492 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
36493
36494 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
36495 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
36496 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
36497
36498 @menu
36499 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
36500 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
36501 @end menu
36502
36503 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
36504 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
36505
36506 @menu
36507 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
36508 @end menu
36509
36510 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
36511 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
36512 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
36513
36514 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
36515
36516 @table @r
36517
36518 @item 2
36519 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
36520
36521 @item 3
36522 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
36523
36524 @item 4
36525 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
36526
36527 @end table
36528
36529 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
36530 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
36531
36532 @menu
36533 * MIPS Register packet Format::
36534 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
36535 @end menu
36536
36537 @node MIPS Register packet Format
36538 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
36539 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
36540
36541 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
36542 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
36543 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
36544 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
36545 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
36546 most-significant -- least-significant.
36547
36548 @table @r
36549
36550 @item MIPS32
36551 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
36552 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
36553 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
36554
36555 @item MIPS64
36556 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
36557 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
36558 as @code{MIPS32}.
36559
36560 @end table
36561
36562 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
36563 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
36564 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
36565
36566 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
36567
36568 @table @r
36569
36570 @item 2
36571 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
36572
36573 @item 3
36574 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
36575
36576 @item 4
36577 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
36578
36579 @item 5
36580 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
36581
36582 @end table
36583
36584 @node Tracepoint Packets
36585 @section Tracepoint Packets
36586 @cindex tracepoint packets
36587 @cindex packets, tracepoint
36588
36589 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
36590 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
36591
36592 @table @samp
36593
36594 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
36595 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
36596 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
36597 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
36598 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
36599 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
36600 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
36601 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
36602 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
36603 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
36604 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
36605 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
36606 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
36607 actions.
36608
36609 Replies:
36610 @table @samp
36611 @item OK
36612 The packet was understood and carried out.
36613 @item qRelocInsn
36614 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36615 @item @w{}
36616 The packet was not recognized.
36617 @end table
36618
36619 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
36620 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
36621 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
36622 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
36623 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
36624 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
36625 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
36626
36627 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
36628 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
36629 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
36630 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
36631 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
36632 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
36633 tracepoint actions.
36634
36635 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
36636 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
36637 following forms:
36638
36639 @table @samp
36640
36641 @item R @var{mask}
36642 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
36643 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
36644 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
36645 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
36646 not fit in a 32-bit word.
36647
36648 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
36649 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
36650 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
36651 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
36652 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
36653 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
36654 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
36655
36656 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36657 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
36658 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
36659 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
36660 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
36661 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
36662 packet).
36663
36664 @end table
36665
36666 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
36667 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
36668 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
36669 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
36670 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
36671 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
36672 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
36673 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
36674
36675 Replies:
36676 @table @samp
36677 @item OK
36678 The packet was understood and carried out.
36679 @item qRelocInsn
36680 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36681 @item @w{}
36682 The packet was not recognized.
36683 @end table
36684
36685 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
36686 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
36687 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
36688 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
36689 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
36690 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
36691 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
36692 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
36693
36694 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
36695 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
36696 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
36697 fit in a single packet.
36698 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
36699 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
36700
36701 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
36702 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
36703 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
36704 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
36705
36706 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
36707 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
36708 query packets.
36709
36710 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
36711 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
36712 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
36713 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
36714 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
36715 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
36716 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
36717 be found.
36718
36719 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
36720 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
36721 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
36722 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
36723 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
36724 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
36725 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
36726 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
36727 mentioned in expressions.
36728
36729 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
36730 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
36731 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
36732 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
36733 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
36734
36735 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
36736 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
36737 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
36738 one of the following forms:
36739
36740 @table @samp
36741 @item F @var{f}
36742 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
36743 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
36744 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
36745
36746 @item T @var{t}
36747 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
36748 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
36749
36750 @end table
36751
36752 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
36753 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36754 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
36755 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
36756
36757 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
36758 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36759 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
36760 is a hexadecimal number.
36761
36762 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
36763 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36764 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
36765 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
36766 numbers.
36767
36768 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
36769 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
36770 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
36771
36772 @item qTMinFTPILen
36773 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
36774 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
36775 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
36776 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
36777 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
36778 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
36779 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
36780 arrange for that.
36781
36782 Replies:
36783
36784 @table @samp
36785 @item 0
36786 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
36787 @item @var{length}
36788 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
36789 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
36790 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
36791 regardless of size.
36792 @item E
36793 An error has occurred.
36794 @item @w{}
36795 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
36796 @end table
36797
36798 @item QTStart
36799 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
36800 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
36801 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
36802 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36803 instruction reply packet}).
36804
36805 @item QTStop
36806 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
36807 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
36808
36809 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36810 @anchor{QTEnable}
36811 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
36812 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36813 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
36814 of data from it will resume.
36815
36816 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36817 @anchor{QTDisable}
36818 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
36819 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36820 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
36821 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
36822
36823 @item QTinit
36824 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
36825 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
36826
36827 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
36828 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
36829 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
36830 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
36831 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
36832
36833 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
36834 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
36835 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
36836 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
36837
36838 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
36839 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
36840 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
36841 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
36842 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
36843 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
36844
36845 @item qTStatus
36846 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
36847 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
36848
36849 The reply has the form:
36850
36851 @table @samp
36852
36853 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
36854 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
36855 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
36856 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
36857
36858 @end table
36859
36860 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
36861 explanations as one of the optional fields:
36862
36863 @table @samp
36864
36865 @item tnotrun:0
36866 No trace has been run yet.
36867
36868 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
36869 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
36870 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
36871 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
36872 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
36873
36874 @item tfull:0
36875 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
36876
36877 @item tdisconnected:0
36878 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
36879
36880 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
36881 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
36882
36883 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
36884 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
36885 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
36886 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
36887 is hex encoded.
36888
36889 @item tunknown:0
36890 The trace stopped for some other reason.
36891
36892 @end table
36893
36894 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
36895 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
36896 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
36897 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
36898 trace.
36899
36900 @table @samp
36901
36902 @item tframes:@var{n}
36903 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
36904
36905 @item tcreated:@var{n}
36906 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
36907 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
36908
36909 @item tsize:@var{n}
36910 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
36911
36912 @item tfree:@var{n}
36913 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
36914
36915 @item circular:@var{n}
36916 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
36917 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
36918 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
36919 and may fill up.
36920
36921 @item disconn:@var{n}
36922 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
36923 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
36924 that the trace run will stop.
36925
36926 @end table
36927
36928 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
36929 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
36930 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
36931 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
36932 address @var{addr}.
36933
36934 Replies:
36935 @table @samp
36936 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
36937 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
36938 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
36939 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
36940 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
36941
36942 @end table
36943
36944 @item qTV:@var{var}
36945 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
36946 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
36947 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
36948
36949 Replies:
36950 @table @samp
36951 @item V@var{value}
36952 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
36953 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
36954 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
36955 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
36956 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
36957 program is running.
36958
36959 @item U
36960 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
36961 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
36962 was not collected.
36963 @end table
36964
36965 @item qTfP
36966 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
36967 @itemx qTsP
36968 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
36969 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
36970 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
36971 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
36972 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
36973 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
36974
36975 @item qTfV
36976 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
36977 @itemx qTsV
36978 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
36979 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
36980 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
36981 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
36982 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
36983 trace state variables.
36984
36985 @item qTfSTM
36986 @itemx qTsSTM
36987 @anchor{qTfSTM}
36988 @anchor{qTsSTM}
36989 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
36990 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
36991 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
36992 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
36993 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
36994 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
36995
36996 Reply:
36997 @table @samp
36998 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
36999 A single marker
37000 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37001 a comma-separated list of markers
37002 @item l
37003 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37004 @item E @var{nn}
37005 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37006 @item @w{}
37007 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37008 stub.
37009 @end table
37010
37011 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
37012 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37013
37014 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37015 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37016 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37017 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37018 @dfn{last}).
37019
37020 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37021 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37022 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37023 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37024 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37025 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37026 tracepoint markers.
37027
37028 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37029 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37030 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37031 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
37032 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37033 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37034
37035 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37036 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37037 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37038 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37039 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37040 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37041 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37042 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37043 available.
37044
37045 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37046 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37047 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37048
37049 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
37050 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
37051 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
37052 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
37053 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
37054 use whatever size it prefers.
37055
37056 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37057 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37058 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37059 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37060 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37061
37062 @end table
37063
37064 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37065 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37066 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37067 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37068 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37069 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37070 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37071 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37072 it had executed in the original location.
37073
37074 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37075 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37076 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37077 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37078 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37079 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37080 format of the request is:
37081
37082 @table @samp
37083 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37084
37085 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37086 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37087 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37088 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37089 memory starting at @var{to}.
37090 @end table
37091
37092 Replies:
37093 @table @samp
37094 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37095 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
37096 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37097 @item E @var{NN}
37098 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37099 relocating the instruction.
37100 @end table
37101
37102 @node Host I/O Packets
37103 @section Host I/O Packets
37104 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37105 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37106
37107 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37108 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37109 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37110 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37111 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37112 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37113 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37114 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37115 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37116 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37117
37118 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37119 its arguments. They have this format:
37120
37121 @table @samp
37122
37123 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37124 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37125 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37126 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37127 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37128 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37129 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37130 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37131 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37132
37133 @end table
37134
37135 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37136
37137 @table @samp
37138
37139 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37140 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37141 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37142 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
37143 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37144 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37145 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37146 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37147 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37148 @var{attachment}.
37149
37150 @item @w{}
37151 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37152
37153 @end table
37154
37155 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37156
37157 @table @samp
37158 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37159 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37160 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
37161 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37162 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37163 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37164 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37165
37166 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37167 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37168 -1 if an error occurs.
37169
37170 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37171 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37172 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37173 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37174 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37175 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37176 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37177 @var{count} was zero.
37178
37179 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37180 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37181 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37182 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37183 some characters were escaped.
37184
37185 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37186 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37187 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37188 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37189 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37190 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37191 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37192 error occurred.
37193
37194 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
37195 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
37196 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
37197
37198 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37199 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37200 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37201
37202 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37203 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37204 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37205 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37206 some characters were escaped.
37207
37208 @end table
37209
37210 @node Interrupts
37211 @section Interrupts
37212 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37213
37214 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
37215 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
37216 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
37217 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37218
37219 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37220 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37221 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37222 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37223 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37224
37225 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37226 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37227 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37228 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37229 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37230 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37231 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37232 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37233
37234 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37235 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37236 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
37237
37238 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
37239 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
37240 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
37241 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
37242 currently-executing threads and processes.
37243 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
37244 running program, it should send one of the stop
37245 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
37246 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
37247 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
37248 Interrupts received while the
37249 program is stopped are discarded.
37250
37251 @node Notification Packets
37252 @section Notification Packets
37253 @cindex notification packets
37254 @cindex packets, notification
37255
37256 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
37257 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
37258 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
37259 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
37260 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
37261 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
37262 is not a problem.
37263
37264 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
37265 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
37266 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
37267 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
37268 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
37269 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
37270 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
37271
37272 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
37273 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
37274
37275 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
37276 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
37277 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
37278 not they understand it.
37279
37280 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
37281 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
37282 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
37283 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
37284 recipients.
37285
37286 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
37287 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
37288 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
37289 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
37290 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
37291
37292 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
37293 @table @samp
37294 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
37295 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
37296 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
37297 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
37298 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
37299 @item @var{ack}
37300 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
37301 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
37302 @end table
37303
37304 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
37305 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
37306
37307 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
37308 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
37309 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
37310 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
37311 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
37312 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
37313 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
37314 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
37315 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
37316 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
37317
37318 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
37319 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
37320 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
37321 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
37322 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
37323 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
37324
37325 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
37326 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
37327 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
37328 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
37329 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
37330
37331 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
37332 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
37333 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
37334 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
37335 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
37336 normally.
37337
37338 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
37339 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
37340 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
37341 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
37342 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
37343 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
37344 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
37345 the process shall be repeated.
37346
37347 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
37348 following example:
37349 @smallexample
37350 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
37351 @code{...}
37352 -> @code{vStopped}
37353 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
37354 -> @code{vStopped}
37355 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
37356 -> @code{vStopped}
37357 <- @code{OK}
37358 @end smallexample
37359
37360 The following notifications are defined:
37361 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
37362
37363 @item Notification
37364 @tab Ack
37365 @tab Event
37366 @tab Description
37367
37368 @item Stop
37369 @tab vStopped
37370 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
37371 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
37372 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
37373 @value{GDBN}.
37374 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
37375
37376 @end multitable
37377
37378 @node Remote Non-Stop
37379 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
37380
37381 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
37382 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
37383 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
37384 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37385
37386 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
37387 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
37388 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
37389 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
37390 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
37391 probe the target state after a mode change.
37392
37393 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
37394 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
37395 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
37396 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
37397 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
37398 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
37399 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
37400 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
37401 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
37402 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
37403 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
37404
37405 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
37406 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
37407 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
37408 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
37409 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
37410 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
37411 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
37412 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
37413 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
37414 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
37415 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
37416 @samp{OK}.
37417
37418 @node Packet Acknowledgment
37419 @section Packet Acknowledgment
37420
37421 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
37422 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
37423 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
37424 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
37425 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
37426 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
37427 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
37428
37429 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
37430 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
37431 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
37432 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
37433 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
37434
37435 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
37436 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
37437 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
37438 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
37439
37440 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
37441 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
37442 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
37443 @pxref{qSupported}.
37444 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
37445 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
37446 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
37447 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
37448 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
37449 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
37450 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
37451
37452 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
37453 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
37454 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
37455 connection.
37456 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
37457 new connection is established,
37458 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
37459 for the current connection, once disabled.
37460
37461 @node Examples
37462 @section Examples
37463
37464 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
37465 does not get any direct output:
37466
37467 @smallexample
37468 -> @code{R00}
37469 <- @code{+}
37470 @emph{target restarts}
37471 -> @code{?}
37472 <- @code{+}
37473 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
37474 -> @code{+}
37475 @end smallexample
37476
37477 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
37478
37479 @smallexample
37480 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
37481 <- @code{+}
37482 -> @code{s}
37483 <- @code{+}
37484 @emph{time passes}
37485 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
37486 -> @code{+}
37487 -> @code{g}
37488 <- @code{+}
37489 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
37490 -> @code{+}
37491 @end smallexample
37492
37493 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
37494 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
37495 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
37496
37497 @menu
37498 * File-I/O Overview::
37499 * Protocol Basics::
37500 * The F Request Packet::
37501 * The F Reply Packet::
37502 * The Ctrl-C Message::
37503 * Console I/O::
37504 * List of Supported Calls::
37505 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
37506 * Constants::
37507 * File-I/O Examples::
37508 @end menu
37509
37510 @node File-I/O Overview
37511 @subsection File-I/O Overview
37512 @cindex file-i/o overview
37513
37514 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
37515 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
37516 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
37517 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
37518 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
37519 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
37520
37521 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
37522 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
37523 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
37524 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
37525 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
37526
37527 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
37528 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37529 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
37530 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
37531 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
37532 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
37533 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
37534
37535 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
37536 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
37537 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
37538 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
37539 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
37540
37541 @smallexample
37542 (@value{GDBP}) continue
37543 <- target requests 'system call X'
37544 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
37545 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
37546 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
37547 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
37548 @end smallexample
37549
37550 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
37551 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
37552 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
37553 system are not supported by this protocol.
37554
37555 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
37556
37557 @node Protocol Basics
37558 @subsection Protocol Basics
37559 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
37560
37561 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
37562 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
37563 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
37564 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
37565 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
37566 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
37567 to call the appropriate host system call:
37568
37569 @itemize @bullet
37570 @item
37571 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
37572
37573 @item
37574 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
37575 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
37576 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
37577 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
37578
37579 @end itemize
37580
37581 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
37582
37583 @itemize @bullet
37584 @item
37585 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
37586 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
37587 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
37588 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
37589 packet.
37590
37591 @item
37592 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
37593 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
37594
37595 @item
37596 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
37597
37598 @item
37599 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
37600
37601 @item
37602 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
37603 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
37604 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
37605 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
37606 packet.
37607
37608 @end itemize
37609
37610 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
37611 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
37612
37613 @itemize @bullet
37614 @item
37615 Return value.
37616
37617 @item
37618 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
37619
37620 @item
37621 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
37622
37623 @end itemize
37624
37625 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
37626 the latest continue or step action.
37627
37628 @node The F Request Packet
37629 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
37630 @cindex file-i/o request packet
37631 @cindex @code{F} request packet
37632
37633 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
37634
37635 @table @samp
37636 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
37637
37638 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
37639 This is just the name of the function.
37640
37641 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
37642 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
37643 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
37644 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
37645 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
37646 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
37647 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
37648
37649 @end table
37650
37651
37652
37653 @node The F Reply Packet
37654 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
37655 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
37656 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
37657
37658 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
37659
37660 @table @samp
37661
37662 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
37663
37664 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
37665
37666 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
37667 representation.
37668 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
37669
37670 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
37671 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
37672 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
37673
37674 @smallexample
37675 F0,0,C
37676 @end smallexample
37677
37678 @noindent
37679 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
37680
37681 @smallexample
37682 F-1,4,C
37683 @end smallexample
37684
37685 @noindent
37686 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
37687
37688 @end table
37689
37690
37691 @node The Ctrl-C Message
37692 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
37693 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
37694
37695 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
37696 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
37697 the target should behave as if it had
37698 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
37699 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
37700 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
37701 packet.
37702
37703 It's important for the target to know in which
37704 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
37705
37706 @itemize @bullet
37707 @item
37708 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
37709
37710 @item
37711 The system call on the host has been finished.
37712
37713 @end itemize
37714
37715 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
37716 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
37717 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
37718 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
37719 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
37720 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
37721
37722 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
37723 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
37724 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
37725 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
37726 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
37727 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
37728 or the full action has been completed.
37729
37730 @node Console I/O
37731 @subsection Console I/O
37732 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
37733
37734 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
37735 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
37736 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
37737 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
37738 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
37739 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
37740 conditions is met:
37741
37742 @itemize @bullet
37743 @item
37744 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
37745 @code{read}
37746 system call is treated as finished.
37747
37748 @item
37749 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
37750 newline.
37751
37752 @item
37753 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
37754 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
37755
37756 @end itemize
37757
37758 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
37759 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
37760 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
37761 is stopped at the user's request.
37762
37763
37764 @node List of Supported Calls
37765 @subsection List of Supported Calls
37766 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
37767
37768 @menu
37769 * open::
37770 * close::
37771 * read::
37772 * write::
37773 * lseek::
37774 * rename::
37775 * unlink::
37776 * stat/fstat::
37777 * gettimeofday::
37778 * isatty::
37779 * system::
37780 @end menu
37781
37782 @node open
37783 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
37784 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
37785
37786 @table @asis
37787 @item Synopsis:
37788 @smallexample
37789 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
37790 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
37791 @end smallexample
37792
37793 @item Request:
37794 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
37795
37796 @noindent
37797 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37798
37799 @table @code
37800 @item O_CREAT
37801 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
37802 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
37803 are concerned.
37804
37805 @item O_EXCL
37806 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
37807 an error and open() fails.
37808
37809 @item O_TRUNC
37810 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
37811 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
37812 truncated to zero length.
37813
37814 @item O_APPEND
37815 The file is opened in append mode.
37816
37817 @item O_RDONLY
37818 The file is opened for reading only.
37819
37820 @item O_WRONLY
37821 The file is opened for writing only.
37822
37823 @item O_RDWR
37824 The file is opened for reading and writing.
37825 @end table
37826
37827 @noindent
37828 Other bits are silently ignored.
37829
37830
37831 @noindent
37832 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37833
37834 @table @code
37835 @item S_IRUSR
37836 User has read permission.
37837
37838 @item S_IWUSR
37839 User has write permission.
37840
37841 @item S_IRGRP
37842 Group has read permission.
37843
37844 @item S_IWGRP
37845 Group has write permission.
37846
37847 @item S_IROTH
37848 Others have read permission.
37849
37850 @item S_IWOTH
37851 Others have write permission.
37852 @end table
37853
37854 @noindent
37855 Other bits are silently ignored.
37856
37857
37858 @item Return value:
37859 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
37860 occurred.
37861
37862 @item Errors:
37863
37864 @table @code
37865 @item EEXIST
37866 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
37867
37868 @item EISDIR
37869 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
37870
37871 @item EACCES
37872 The requested access is not allowed.
37873
37874 @item ENAMETOOLONG
37875 @var{pathname} was too long.
37876
37877 @item ENOENT
37878 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
37879
37880 @item ENODEV
37881 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
37882
37883 @item EROFS
37884 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
37885 write access was requested.
37886
37887 @item EFAULT
37888 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
37889
37890 @item ENOSPC
37891 No space on device to create the file.
37892
37893 @item EMFILE
37894 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
37895
37896 @item ENFILE
37897 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
37898 has been reached.
37899
37900 @item EINTR
37901 The call was interrupted by the user.
37902 @end table
37903
37904 @end table
37905
37906 @node close
37907 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
37908 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
37909
37910 @table @asis
37911 @item Synopsis:
37912 @smallexample
37913 int close(int fd);
37914 @end smallexample
37915
37916 @item Request:
37917 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
37918
37919 @item Return value:
37920 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
37921
37922 @item Errors:
37923
37924 @table @code
37925 @item EBADF
37926 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
37927
37928 @item EINTR
37929 The call was interrupted by the user.
37930 @end table
37931
37932 @end table
37933
37934 @node read
37935 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
37936 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
37937
37938 @table @asis
37939 @item Synopsis:
37940 @smallexample
37941 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
37942 @end smallexample
37943
37944 @item Request:
37945 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37946
37947 @item Return value:
37948 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
37949 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
37950 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
37951
37952 @item Errors:
37953
37954 @table @code
37955 @item EBADF
37956 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37957 reading.
37958
37959 @item EFAULT
37960 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37961
37962 @item EINTR
37963 The call was interrupted by the user.
37964 @end table
37965
37966 @end table
37967
37968 @node write
37969 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
37970 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
37971
37972 @table @asis
37973 @item Synopsis:
37974 @smallexample
37975 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
37976 @end smallexample
37977
37978 @item Request:
37979 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37980
37981 @item Return value:
37982 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
37983 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
37984 is returned.
37985
37986 @item Errors:
37987
37988 @table @code
37989 @item EBADF
37990 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37991 writing.
37992
37993 @item EFAULT
37994 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37995
37996 @item EFBIG
37997 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
37998 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
37999
38000 @item ENOSPC
38001 No space on device to write the data.
38002
38003 @item EINTR
38004 The call was interrupted by the user.
38005 @end table
38006
38007 @end table
38008
38009 @node lseek
38010 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38011 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38012
38013 @table @asis
38014 @item Synopsis:
38015 @smallexample
38016 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38017 @end smallexample
38018
38019 @item Request:
38020 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38021
38022 @var{flag} is one of:
38023
38024 @table @code
38025 @item SEEK_SET
38026 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38027
38028 @item SEEK_CUR
38029 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38030 bytes.
38031
38032 @item SEEK_END
38033 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38034 bytes.
38035 @end table
38036
38037 @item Return value:
38038 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38039 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38040 value of -1 is returned.
38041
38042 @item Errors:
38043
38044 @table @code
38045 @item EBADF
38046 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38047
38048 @item ESPIPE
38049 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38050
38051 @item EINVAL
38052 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38053
38054 @item EINTR
38055 The call was interrupted by the user.
38056 @end table
38057
38058 @end table
38059
38060 @node rename
38061 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38062 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38063
38064 @table @asis
38065 @item Synopsis:
38066 @smallexample
38067 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38068 @end smallexample
38069
38070 @item Request:
38071 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38072
38073 @item Return value:
38074 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38075
38076 @item Errors:
38077
38078 @table @code
38079 @item EISDIR
38080 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38081 directory.
38082
38083 @item EEXIST
38084 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38085
38086 @item EBUSY
38087 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38088 process.
38089
38090 @item EINVAL
38091 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38092 of itself.
38093
38094 @item ENOTDIR
38095 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38096 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38097 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38098
38099 @item EFAULT
38100 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38101
38102 @item EACCES
38103 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38104
38105 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38106
38107 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38108
38109 @item ENOENT
38110 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38111
38112 @item EROFS
38113 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38114
38115 @item ENOSPC
38116 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38117 directory entry.
38118
38119 @item EINTR
38120 The call was interrupted by the user.
38121 @end table
38122
38123 @end table
38124
38125 @node unlink
38126 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38127 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38128
38129 @table @asis
38130 @item Synopsis:
38131 @smallexample
38132 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38133 @end smallexample
38134
38135 @item Request:
38136 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38137
38138 @item Return value:
38139 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38140
38141 @item Errors:
38142
38143 @table @code
38144 @item EACCES
38145 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38146
38147 @item EPERM
38148 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38149
38150 @item EBUSY
38151 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38152 being used by another process.
38153
38154 @item EFAULT
38155 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38156
38157 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38158 @var{pathname} was too long.
38159
38160 @item ENOENT
38161 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38162
38163 @item ENOTDIR
38164 A component of the path is not a directory.
38165
38166 @item EROFS
38167 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38168
38169 @item EINTR
38170 The call was interrupted by the user.
38171 @end table
38172
38173 @end table
38174
38175 @node stat/fstat
38176 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38177 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38178 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38179
38180 @table @asis
38181 @item Synopsis:
38182 @smallexample
38183 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38184 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38185 @end smallexample
38186
38187 @item Request:
38188 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38189 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38190
38191 @item Return value:
38192 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38193
38194 @item Errors:
38195
38196 @table @code
38197 @item EBADF
38198 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38199
38200 @item ENOENT
38201 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38202 path is an empty string.
38203
38204 @item ENOTDIR
38205 A component of the path is not a directory.
38206
38207 @item EFAULT
38208 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38209
38210 @item EACCES
38211 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38212
38213 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38214 @var{pathname} was too long.
38215
38216 @item EINTR
38217 The call was interrupted by the user.
38218 @end table
38219
38220 @end table
38221
38222 @node gettimeofday
38223 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38224 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38225
38226 @table @asis
38227 @item Synopsis:
38228 @smallexample
38229 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38230 @end smallexample
38231
38232 @item Request:
38233 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38234
38235 @item Return value:
38236 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38237
38238 @item Errors:
38239
38240 @table @code
38241 @item EINVAL
38242 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38243
38244 @item EFAULT
38245 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38246 @end table
38247
38248 @end table
38249
38250 @node isatty
38251 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
38252 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
38253
38254 @table @asis
38255 @item Synopsis:
38256 @smallexample
38257 int isatty(int fd);
38258 @end smallexample
38259
38260 @item Request:
38261 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
38262
38263 @item Return value:
38264 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
38265
38266 @item Errors:
38267
38268 @table @code
38269 @item EINTR
38270 The call was interrupted by the user.
38271 @end table
38272
38273 @end table
38274
38275 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
38276 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
38277 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
38278 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
38279 needed.
38280
38281
38282 @node system
38283 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
38284 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
38285
38286 @table @asis
38287 @item Synopsis:
38288 @smallexample
38289 int system(const char *command);
38290 @end smallexample
38291
38292 @item Request:
38293 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
38294
38295 @item Return value:
38296 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
38297 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
38298 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
38299 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
38300 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
38301 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
38302 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
38303
38304 @item Errors:
38305
38306 @table @code
38307 @item EINTR
38308 The call was interrupted by the user.
38309 @end table
38310
38311 @end table
38312
38313 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
38314 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
38315 the host is simplified before it's returned
38316 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
38317 is discarded, and the return value consists
38318 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
38319
38320 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
38321 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
38322 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
38323
38324 @table @code
38325 @item set remote system-call-allowed
38326 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
38327 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
38328 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
38329
38330 @item show remote system-call-allowed
38331 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
38332 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
38333 protocol.
38334 @end table
38335
38336 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
38337 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
38338 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
38339
38340 @menu
38341 * Integral Datatypes::
38342 * Pointer Values::
38343 * Memory Transfer::
38344 * struct stat::
38345 * struct timeval::
38346 @end menu
38347
38348 @node Integral Datatypes
38349 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
38350 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
38351
38352 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
38353 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
38354 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
38355
38356 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
38357 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
38358
38359 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
38360
38361 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
38362 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
38363
38364 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
38365
38366 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
38367 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
38368 byte order.
38369
38370 @node Pointer Values
38371 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
38372 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
38373
38374 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
38375 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
38376 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
38377 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
38378
38379 @smallexample
38380 @code{1aaf/12}
38381 @end smallexample
38382
38383 @noindent
38384 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
38385 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
38386 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
38387 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
38388
38389 @smallexample
38390 @code{123456/d}
38391 @end smallexample
38392
38393 @node Memory Transfer
38394 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
38395 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
38396
38397 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
38398 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
38399 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
38400 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
38401 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
38402 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
38403 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
38404
38405
38406 @node struct stat
38407 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
38408 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
38409
38410 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
38411 is defined as follows:
38412
38413 @smallexample
38414 struct stat @{
38415 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
38416 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
38417 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
38418 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
38419 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
38420 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
38421 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
38422 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
38423 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
38424 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
38425 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
38426 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
38427 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
38428 @};
38429 @end smallexample
38430
38431 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
38432 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
38433 structure is of size 64 bytes.
38434
38435 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
38436 range of values.
38437
38438 @table @code
38439
38440 @item st_dev
38441 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
38442
38443 @item st_ino
38444 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
38445
38446 @item st_mode
38447 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
38448 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
38449
38450 @item st_uid
38451 @itemx st_gid
38452 @itemx st_rdev
38453 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
38454
38455 @item st_atime
38456 @itemx st_mtime
38457 @itemx st_ctime
38458 These values have a host and file system dependent
38459 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
38460 support exact timing values.
38461 @end table
38462
38463 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
38464 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
38465 continuing.
38466
38467 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
38468 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
38469 get truncated on the target.
38470
38471 @node struct timeval
38472 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
38473 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
38474
38475 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
38476 is defined as follows:
38477
38478 @smallexample
38479 struct timeval @{
38480 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
38481 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
38482 @};
38483 @end smallexample
38484
38485 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
38486 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
38487 structure is of size 8 bytes.
38488
38489 @node Constants
38490 @subsection Constants
38491 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
38492
38493 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
38494 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
38495 values before and after the call as needed.
38496
38497 @menu
38498 * Open Flags::
38499 * mode_t Values::
38500 * Errno Values::
38501 * Lseek Flags::
38502 * Limits::
38503 @end menu
38504
38505 @node Open Flags
38506 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
38507 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
38508
38509 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
38510
38511 @smallexample
38512 O_RDONLY 0x0
38513 O_WRONLY 0x1
38514 O_RDWR 0x2
38515 O_APPEND 0x8
38516 O_CREAT 0x200
38517 O_TRUNC 0x400
38518 O_EXCL 0x800
38519 @end smallexample
38520
38521 @node mode_t Values
38522 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
38523 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
38524
38525 All values are given in octal representation.
38526
38527 @smallexample
38528 S_IFREG 0100000
38529 S_IFDIR 040000
38530 S_IRUSR 0400
38531 S_IWUSR 0200
38532 S_IXUSR 0100
38533 S_IRGRP 040
38534 S_IWGRP 020
38535 S_IXGRP 010
38536 S_IROTH 04
38537 S_IWOTH 02
38538 S_IXOTH 01
38539 @end smallexample
38540
38541 @node Errno Values
38542 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
38543 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
38544
38545 All values are given in decimal representation.
38546
38547 @smallexample
38548 EPERM 1
38549 ENOENT 2
38550 EINTR 4
38551 EBADF 9
38552 EACCES 13
38553 EFAULT 14
38554 EBUSY 16
38555 EEXIST 17
38556 ENODEV 19
38557 ENOTDIR 20
38558 EISDIR 21
38559 EINVAL 22
38560 ENFILE 23
38561 EMFILE 24
38562 EFBIG 27
38563 ENOSPC 28
38564 ESPIPE 29
38565 EROFS 30
38566 ENAMETOOLONG 91
38567 EUNKNOWN 9999
38568 @end smallexample
38569
38570 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
38571 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
38572
38573 @node Lseek Flags
38574 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
38575 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
38576
38577 @smallexample
38578 SEEK_SET 0
38579 SEEK_CUR 1
38580 SEEK_END 2
38581 @end smallexample
38582
38583 @node Limits
38584 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
38585 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
38586
38587 All values are given in decimal representation.
38588
38589 @smallexample
38590 INT_MIN -2147483648
38591 INT_MAX 2147483647
38592 UINT_MAX 4294967295
38593 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
38594 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
38595 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
38596 @end smallexample
38597
38598 @node File-I/O Examples
38599 @subsection File-I/O Examples
38600 @cindex file-i/o examples
38601
38602 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
38603 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
38604
38605 @smallexample
38606 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
38607 @emph{request memory read from target}
38608 -> @code{m1234,6}
38609 <- XXXXXX
38610 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
38611 -> @code{F6}
38612 @end smallexample
38613
38614 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
38615 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
38616
38617 @smallexample
38618 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38619 @emph{request memory write to target}
38620 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
38621 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
38622 -> @code{F6}
38623 @end smallexample
38624
38625 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
38626 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
38627
38628 @smallexample
38629 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38630 -> @code{F-1,9}
38631 @end smallexample
38632
38633 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
38634 host is called:
38635
38636 @smallexample
38637 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38638 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
38639 <- @code{T02}
38640 @end smallexample
38641
38642 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
38643 host is called:
38644
38645 @smallexample
38646 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38647 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
38648 <- @code{T02}
38649 @end smallexample
38650
38651 @node Library List Format
38652 @section Library List Format
38653 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
38654
38655 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
38656 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
38657 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
38658 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
38659 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
38660 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
38661 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38662 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
38663 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
38664 are loaded.
38665
38666 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
38667 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
38668 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
38669 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
38670
38671 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
38672 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
38673 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
38674 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
38675 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
38676 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
38677
38678 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38679 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38680
38681 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
38682 offset, looks like this:
38683
38684 @smallexample
38685 <library-list>
38686 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
38687 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
38688 </library>
38689 </library-list>
38690 @end smallexample
38691
38692 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
38693 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
38694
38695 @smallexample
38696 <library-list>
38697 <library name="sharedlib.o">
38698 <section address="0x10000000"/>
38699 <section address="0x20000000"/>
38700 <section address="0x30000000"/>
38701 </library>
38702 </library-list>
38703 @end smallexample
38704
38705 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
38706
38707 @smallexample
38708 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
38709 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
38710 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38711 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
38712 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38713 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
38714 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38715 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
38716 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38717 @end smallexample
38718
38719 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
38720 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
38721 section for each library.
38722
38723 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38724 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38725 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
38726
38727 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
38728 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
38729 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
38730 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
38731
38732 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
38733 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
38734 target, the following parameters are reported:
38735
38736 @itemize @minus
38737 @item
38738 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
38739 @code{struct link_map}.
38740 @item
38741 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
38742 (Thread Local Storage) access.
38743 @item
38744 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
38745 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
38746 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
38747 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
38748 @item
38749 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
38750 @end itemize
38751
38752 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
38753 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
38754 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
38755
38756 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38757 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38758
38759 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
38760 looks like this:
38761
38762 @smallexample
38763 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
38764 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
38765 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
38766 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
38767 l_ld="0x152350"/>
38768 </library-list-svr>
38769 @end smallexample
38770
38771 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
38772
38773 @smallexample
38774 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
38775 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
38776 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38777 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
38778 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
38779 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38780 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
38781 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
38782 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
38783 @end smallexample
38784
38785 @node Memory Map Format
38786 @section Memory Map Format
38787 @cindex memory map format
38788
38789 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
38790 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
38791 memory map.
38792
38793 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38794 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
38795 lists memory regions.
38796
38797 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38798 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
38799
38800 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38801
38802 @smallexample
38803 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38804 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
38805 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38806 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
38807 <memory-map>
38808 region...
38809 </memory-map>
38810 @end smallexample
38811
38812 Each region can be either:
38813
38814 @itemize
38815
38816 @item
38817 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
38818 bytes from there:
38819
38820 @smallexample
38821 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38822 @end smallexample
38823
38824
38825 @item
38826 A region of read-only memory:
38827
38828 @smallexample
38829 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38830 @end smallexample
38831
38832
38833 @item
38834 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
38835 bytes in length:
38836
38837 @smallexample
38838 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
38839 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
38840 </memory>
38841 @end smallexample
38842
38843 @end itemize
38844
38845 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
38846 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
38847 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
38848
38849 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
38850
38851 @smallexample
38852 <!-- ................................................... -->
38853 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
38854 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
38855 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
38856 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
38857 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
38858 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
38859 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
38860 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
38861 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
38862 and its type, or device. -->
38863 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
38864 start CDATA #REQUIRED
38865 length CDATA #REQUIRED
38866 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
38867 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
38868 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
38869 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38870 @end smallexample
38871
38872 @node Thread List Format
38873 @section Thread List Format
38874 @cindex thread list format
38875
38876 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
38877 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38878 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
38879 the following structure:
38880
38881 @smallexample
38882 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38883 <threads>
38884 <thread id="id" core="0">
38885 ... description ...
38886 </thread>
38887 </threads>
38888 @end smallexample
38889
38890 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
38891 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
38892 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
38893 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
38894 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
38895
38896 @node Traceframe Info Format
38897 @section Traceframe Info Format
38898 @cindex traceframe info format
38899
38900 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
38901 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
38902 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
38903 collected in a traceframe.
38904
38905 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38906 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
38907
38908 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38909 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
38910
38911 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38912
38913 @smallexample
38914 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38915 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
38916 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38917 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
38918 <traceframe-info>
38919 block...
38920 </traceframe-info>
38921 @end smallexample
38922
38923 Each traceframe block can be either:
38924
38925 @itemize
38926
38927 @item
38928 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
38929 @var{length} bytes from there:
38930
38931 @smallexample
38932 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38933 @end smallexample
38934
38935 @item
38936 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
38937 collected:
38938
38939 @smallexample
38940 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
38941 @end smallexample
38942
38943 @end itemize
38944
38945 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
38946
38947 @smallexample
38948 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
38949 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38950
38951 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
38952 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
38953 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
38954 <!ELEMENT tvar>
38955 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
38956 @end smallexample
38957
38958 @node Branch Trace Format
38959 @section Branch Trace Format
38960 @cindex branch trace format
38961
38962 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
38963 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
38964 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
38965 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
38966
38967 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38968 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
38969
38970 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38971 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
38972
38973 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38974
38975 @smallexample
38976 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38977 <!DOCTYPE btrace
38978 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
38979 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
38980 <btrace>
38981 block...
38982 </btrace>
38983 @end smallexample
38984
38985 @itemize
38986
38987 @item
38988 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
38989 and ending at @var{end}:
38990
38991 @smallexample
38992 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
38993 @end smallexample
38994
38995 @end itemize
38996
38997 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
38998
38999 @smallexample
39000 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
39001 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39002
39003 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
39004 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
39005 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
39006 @end smallexample
39007
39008 @include agentexpr.texi
39009
39010 @node Target Descriptions
39011 @appendix Target Descriptions
39012 @cindex target descriptions
39013
39014 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39015 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39016 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39017 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39018 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39019 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39020 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39021
39022 @itemize @bullet
39023 @item
39024 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39025 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39026 @item
39027 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39028 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39029 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39030 @item
39031 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39032 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39033 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39034 @end itemize
39035
39036 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39037 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39038 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39039 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39040 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39041
39042 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39043 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39044
39045 @menu
39046 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39047 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39048 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39049 descriptions.
39050 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39051 @end menu
39052
39053 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39054 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39055
39056 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39057 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39058 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39059 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39060 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39061 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39062 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39063 Format}.
39064
39065 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39066 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39067 specify a file are:
39068
39069 @table @code
39070 @cindex set tdesc filename
39071 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39072 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39073
39074 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39075 @item unset tdesc filename
39076 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39077 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39078
39079 @cindex show tdesc filename
39080 @item show tdesc filename
39081 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39082 @end table
39083
39084
39085 @node Target Description Format
39086 @section Target Description Format
39087 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39088
39089 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39090 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39091 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39092 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39093 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39094 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39095 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39096
39097 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39098 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39099 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39100 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39101 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39102
39103 Here is a simple target description:
39104
39105 @smallexample
39106 <target version="1.0">
39107 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39108 </target>
39109 @end smallexample
39110
39111 @noindent
39112 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39113 the x86-64 architecture.
39114
39115 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39116 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39117 are explained further below.
39118
39119 @smallexample
39120 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39121 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39122 <target version="1.0">
39123 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39124 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39125 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39126 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39127 </target>
39128 @end smallexample
39129
39130 @noindent
39131 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39132 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39133 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39134 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39135 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39136 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39137 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39138 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39139 the version mismatch.
39140
39141 @subsection Inclusion
39142 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39143 @cindex XInclude
39144 @ifnotinfo
39145 @cindex <xi:include>
39146 @end ifnotinfo
39147
39148 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39149 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39150 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39151 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39152 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39153
39154 @smallexample
39155 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39156 @end smallexample
39157
39158 @noindent
39159 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39160 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39161 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39162 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39163 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39164 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39165 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39166 original description.
39167
39168 @subsection Architecture
39169 @cindex <architecture>
39170
39171 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39172
39173 @smallexample
39174 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39175 @end smallexample
39176
39177 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39178 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39179
39180 @subsection OS ABI
39181 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39182
39183 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39184 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39185
39186 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39187
39188 @smallexample
39189 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39190 @end smallexample
39191
39192 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39193 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
39194
39195 @subsection Compatible Architecture
39196 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
39197
39198 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39199 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39200
39201 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
39202
39203 @smallexample
39204 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
39205 @end smallexample
39206
39207 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39208 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39209
39210 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
39211 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
39212 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
39213 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
39214 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
39215 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
39216 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
39217
39218 @smallexample
39219 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
39220 <compatible>spu</compatible>
39221 @end smallexample
39222
39223 @subsection Features
39224 @cindex <feature>
39225
39226 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
39227 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
39228 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
39229 has this form:
39230
39231 @smallexample
39232 <feature name="@var{name}">
39233 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
39234 @var{reg}@dots{}
39235 </feature>
39236 @end smallexample
39237
39238 @noindent
39239 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
39240 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
39241 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
39242 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
39243
39244 @subsection Types
39245
39246 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
39247 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
39248 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
39249 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
39250 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
39251
39252 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
39253 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
39254 Types must be defined before they are used.
39255
39256 @cindex <vector>
39257 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
39258 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
39259 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
39260 @var{count}:
39261
39262 @smallexample
39263 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
39264 @end smallexample
39265
39266 @cindex <union>
39267 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39268 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39269 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39270 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39271
39272 @smallexample
39273 <union id="@var{id}">
39274 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39275 @dots{}
39276 </union>
39277 @end smallexample
39278
39279 @cindex <struct>
39280 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39281 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39282 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39283 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39284 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39285 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39286 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39287 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39288
39289 @smallexample
39290 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39291 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39292 @dots{}
39293 </struct>
39294 @end smallexample
39295
39296 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39297 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39298
39299 @smallexample
39300 <struct id="@var{id}">
39301 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39302 @dots{}
39303 </struct>
39304 @end smallexample
39305
39306 @cindex <flags>
39307 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39308 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39309 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39310 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39311 are supported.
39312
39313 @smallexample
39314 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39315 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39316 @dots{}
39317 </flags>
39318 @end smallexample
39319
39320 @subsection Registers
39321 @cindex <reg>
39322
39323 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39324
39325 @smallexample
39326 <reg name="@var{name}"
39327 bitsize="@var{size}"
39328 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39329 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39330 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39331 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
39332 @end smallexample
39333
39334 @noindent
39335 The components are as follows:
39336
39337 @table @var
39338
39339 @item name
39340 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
39341
39342 @item bitsize
39343 The register's size, in bits.
39344
39345 @item regnum
39346 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
39347 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
39348 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
39349 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
39350 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
39351 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
39352 in order of increasing register number.
39353
39354 @item save-restore
39355 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
39356 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
39357 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
39358 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
39359 ABI.
39360
39361 @item type
39362 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
39363 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
39364 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
39365 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
39366 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
39367 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
39368
39369 @item group
39370 The register group to which this register belongs. It must
39371 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
39372 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
39373 in @code{info registers}.
39374
39375 @end table
39376
39377 @node Predefined Target Types
39378 @section Predefined Target Types
39379 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
39380
39381 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
39382 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
39383 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
39384 types. The currently supported types are:
39385
39386 @table @code
39387
39388 @item int8
39389 @itemx int16
39390 @itemx int32
39391 @itemx int64
39392 @itemx int128
39393 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
39394
39395 @item uint8
39396 @itemx uint16
39397 @itemx uint32
39398 @itemx uint64
39399 @itemx uint128
39400 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
39401
39402 @item code_ptr
39403 @itemx data_ptr
39404 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
39405 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
39406 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
39407 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
39408 may be marked as data pointers.
39409
39410 @item ieee_single
39411 Single precision IEEE floating point.
39412
39413 @item ieee_double
39414 Double precision IEEE floating point.
39415
39416 @item arm_fpa_ext
39417 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
39418
39419 @item i387_ext
39420 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
39421
39422 @item i386_eflags
39423 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
39424
39425 @item i386_mxcsr
39426 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
39427
39428 @end table
39429
39430 @node Standard Target Features
39431 @section Standard Target Features
39432 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
39433
39434 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
39435 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
39436 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
39437 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
39438 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
39439 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
39440 can recognize them.
39441
39442 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
39443 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
39444 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
39445 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
39446 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
39447 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
39448 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
39449 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
39450
39451 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
39452 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
39453 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
39454
39455 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
39456 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
39457 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
39458 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
39459
39460 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
39461 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
39462 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
39463
39464 @menu
39465 * AArch64 Features::
39466 * ARM Features::
39467 * i386 Features::
39468 * MicroBlaze Features::
39469 * MIPS Features::
39470 * M68K Features::
39471 * Nios II Features::
39472 * PowerPC Features::
39473 * S/390 and System z Features::
39474 * TIC6x Features::
39475 @end menu
39476
39477
39478 @node AArch64 Features
39479 @subsection AArch64 Features
39480 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
39481
39482 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
39483 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
39484 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
39485
39486 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
39487 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
39488 and @samp{fpcr}.
39489
39490 @node ARM Features
39491 @subsection ARM Features
39492 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
39493
39494 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
39495 ARM targets.
39496 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
39497 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
39498
39499 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
39500 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
39501 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
39502 and @samp{xpsr}.
39503
39504 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
39505 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
39506
39507 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
39508 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
39509 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
39510 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
39511
39512 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
39513 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
39514 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
39515 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
39516 halves of the double-precision registers.
39517
39518 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
39519 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
39520 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
39521 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
39522 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
39523 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
39524
39525 @node i386 Features
39526 @subsection i386 Features
39527 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
39528
39529 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
39530 targets. It should describe the following registers:
39531
39532 @itemize @minus
39533 @item
39534 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
39535 @item
39536 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
39537 @item
39538 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
39539 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
39540 @item
39541 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
39542 @item
39543 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
39544 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
39545 @end itemize
39546
39547 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
39548
39549 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
39550 describe registers:
39551
39552 @itemize @minus
39553 @item
39554 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
39555 @item
39556 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
39557 @item
39558 @samp{mxcsr}
39559 @end itemize
39560
39561 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
39562 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
39563 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
39564
39565 @itemize @minus
39566 @item
39567 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
39568 @item
39569 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
39570 @end itemize
39571
39572 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel(R)
39573 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
39574
39575 @itemize @minus
39576 @item
39577 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
39578 @item
39579 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
39580 @end itemize
39581
39582 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
39583 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
39584
39585 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
39586 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
39587 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
39588
39589 @itemize @minus
39590 @item
39591 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39592 @end itemize
39593
39594 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
39595
39596 @itemize @minus
39597 @item
39598 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39599 @end itemize
39600
39601 It should
39602 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
39603
39604 @itemize @minus
39605 @item
39606 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
39607 @item
39608 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
39609 @end itemize
39610
39611 It should
39612 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
39613
39614 @itemize @minus
39615 @item
39616 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39617 @end itemize
39618
39619 @node MicroBlaze Features
39620 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
39621 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
39622
39623 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
39624 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
39625 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
39626 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
39627 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
39628
39629 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
39630 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
39631
39632 @node MIPS Features
39633 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
39634 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
39635
39636 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
39637 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
39638 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
39639 on the target.
39640
39641 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
39642 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
39643 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39644
39645 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
39646 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
39647 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
39648 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39649
39650 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
39651 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
39652 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
39653 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39654
39655 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
39656 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
39657 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
39658
39659 @node M68K Features
39660 @subsection M68K Features
39661 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
39662
39663 @table @code
39664 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
39665 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
39666 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
39667 One of those features must be always present.
39668 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
39669 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
39670 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
39671 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
39672
39673 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
39674 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
39675 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
39676 @samp{fpiaddr}.
39677 @end table
39678
39679 @node Nios II Features
39680 @subsection Nios II Features
39681 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
39682
39683 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
39684 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
39685 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
39686 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
39687 @samp{mpuacc}).
39688
39689 @node PowerPC Features
39690 @subsection PowerPC Features
39691 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
39692
39693 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
39694 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
39695 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
39696 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39697
39698 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
39699 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
39700
39701 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
39702 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
39703 and @samp{vrsave}.
39704
39705 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
39706 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
39707 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
39708 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
39709 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
39710 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
39711
39712 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
39713 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
39714 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
39715 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
39716 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
39717 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
39718 user.
39719
39720 @node S/390 and System z Features
39721 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
39722 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
39723 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
39724
39725 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
39726 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
39727 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
39728 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
39729 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
39730 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
39731 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
39732 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
39733 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
39734
39735 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
39736 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
39737 @samp{fpc}.
39738
39739 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
39740 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
39741
39742 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
39743 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
39744 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
39745 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
39746 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
39747 32-bit wide.
39748
39749 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
39750 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
39751 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
39752
39753 @node TIC6x Features
39754 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
39755 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
39756 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
39757 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
39758 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
39759 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
39760
39761 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
39762 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
39763 through @samp{B31}.
39764
39765 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
39766 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
39767
39768 @node Operating System Information
39769 @appendix Operating System Information
39770 @cindex operating system information
39771
39772 @menu
39773 * Process list::
39774 @end menu
39775
39776 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
39777 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
39778 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
39779 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
39780 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
39781 on a different aspect of target.
39782
39783 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
39784 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
39785 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
39786 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
39787
39788 @node Process list
39789 @appendixsection Process list
39790 @cindex operating system information, process list
39791
39792 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
39793 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
39794 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
39795 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
39796
39797 An example document is:
39798
39799 @smallexample
39800 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39801 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
39802 <osdata type="processes">
39803 <item>
39804 <column name="pid">1</column>
39805 <column name="user">root</column>
39806 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
39807 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
39808 </item>
39809 </osdata>
39810 @end smallexample
39811
39812 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
39813 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
39814 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
39815 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
39816 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
39817 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
39818 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
39819
39820 @node Trace File Format
39821 @appendix Trace File Format
39822 @cindex trace file format
39823
39824 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
39825 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
39826
39827 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
39828 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
39829 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
39830 in the future.
39831
39832 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
39833 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
39834 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
39835 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
39836 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
39837 of this section.
39838
39839 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
39840
39841 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
39842 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
39843 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
39844 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
39845 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
39846 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
39847 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
39848 endianness.
39849
39850 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
39851
39852 @table @code
39853 @item R @var{bytes}
39854 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
39855 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
39856 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
39857 hexadecimal encoding.
39858
39859 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
39860 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
39861 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
39862 @var{length} bytes.
39863
39864 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
39865 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
39866 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
39867
39868 @end table
39869
39870 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
39871 of blocks.
39872
39873 @node Index Section Format
39874 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
39875 @cindex .gdb_index section format
39876 @cindex index section format
39877
39878 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
39879 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
39880 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
39881 description.
39882
39883 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
39884 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
39885 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
39886 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
39887 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
39888 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
39889
39890 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
39891
39892 @enumerate
39893 @item
39894 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
39895 unless otherwise noted:
39896
39897 @enumerate
39898 @item
39899 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
39900 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
39901 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
39902 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
39903 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
39904 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
39905 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
39906
39907 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
39908 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
39909 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
39910 currently not flagged as deprecated.
39911
39912 @item
39913 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
39914
39915 @item
39916 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
39917 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
39918 to the next offset.
39919
39920 @item
39921 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
39922
39923 @item
39924 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
39925
39926 @item
39927 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
39928 @end enumerate
39929
39930 @item
39931 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
39932 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
39933 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
39934 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
39935 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
39936 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
39937 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
39938 CU indices.
39939
39940 @item
39941 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
39942 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
39943 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
39944 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
39945
39946 @item
39947 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
39948 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
39949
39950 @enumerate
39951 @item
39952 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
39953
39954 @item
39955 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
39956 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
39957
39958 @item
39959 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
39960 @end enumerate
39961
39962 @item
39963 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
39964 the hash table is always a power of 2.
39965
39966 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
39967 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
39968 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
39969 constant pool.
39970
39971 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
39972 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
39973 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
39974
39975 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
39976 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
39977 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
39978 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
39979 index version:
39980
39981 @table @asis
39982 @item Version 4
39983 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
39984
39985 @item Versions 5 to 7
39986 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
39987 @end table
39988
39989 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
39990
39991 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
39992 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
39993 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
39994 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
39995 collision.
39996
39997 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
39998 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
39999 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40000 the code.
40001
40002 @item
40003 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40004 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40005 strings.
40006
40007 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40008 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40009 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40010 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40011 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40012 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40013
40014 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40015 @end enumerate
40016
40017 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40018 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40019 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40020
40021 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40022 (bit 0 = LSB):
40023
40024 @table @asis
40025
40026 @item Bits 0-23
40027 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40028 @item Bits 24-27
40029 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40030 @item Bits 28-30
40031 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40032
40033 @table @asis
40034 @item 0
40035 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40036 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40037 with previous versions of the index.
40038 @item 1
40039 The symbol is a type.
40040 @item 2
40041 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40042 @item 3
40043 The symbol is a function.
40044 @item 4
40045 Any other kind of symbol.
40046 @item 5,6,7
40047 These values are reserved.
40048 @end table
40049
40050 @item Bit 31
40051 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40052
40053 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40054 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40055 @value{GDBN} sources.
40056
40057 @end table
40058
40059 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40060 global/static attributes in the index.
40061
40062 @smallexample
40063 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40064 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40065 switch (die->tag)
40066 @{
40067 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40068 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40069 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40070 kind = TYPE;
40071 is_static = 1;
40072 break;
40073 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40074 kind = VARIABLE;
40075 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40076 break;
40077 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40078 kind = FUNCTION;
40079 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40080 break;
40081 case DW_TAG_constant:
40082 kind = VARIABLE;
40083 is_static = ! is_external;
40084 break;
40085 case DW_TAG_variable:
40086 kind = VARIABLE;
40087 is_static = ! is_external;
40088 break;
40089 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40090 kind = TYPE;
40091 is_static = 0;
40092 break;
40093 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40094 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40095 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40096 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40097 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40098 kind = TYPE;
40099 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40100 break;
40101 default:
40102 assert (0);
40103 @}
40104 @end smallexample
40105
40106 @node Man Pages
40107 @appendix Manual pages
40108 @cindex Man pages
40109
40110 @menu
40111 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
40112 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
40113 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
40114 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
40115 @end menu
40116
40117 @node gdb man
40118 @heading gdb man
40119
40120 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
40121
40122 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
40123 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
40124 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
40125 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
40126 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
40127 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
40128 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
40129 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
40130 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
40131 @c man end
40132
40133 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
40134 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
40135 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
40136 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
40137
40138 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
40139 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
40140
40141 @itemize @bullet
40142 @item
40143 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
40144
40145 @item
40146 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
40147
40148 @item
40149 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
40150
40151 @item
40152 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
40153 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
40154 @end itemize
40155
40156 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
40157 Modula-2.
40158
40159 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
40160 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
40161 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
40162 by using the command @code{help}.
40163
40164 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
40165 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
40166 executable program as the argument:
40167
40168 @smallexample
40169 gdb program
40170 @end smallexample
40171
40172 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
40173
40174 @smallexample
40175 gdb program core
40176 @end smallexample
40177
40178 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
40179 to debug a running process:
40180
40181 @smallexample
40182 gdb program 1234
40183 gdb -p 1234
40184 @end smallexample
40185
40186 @noindent
40187 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
40188 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
40189 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
40190
40191 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
40192
40193 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
40194 @table @env
40195 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
40196 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
40197
40198 @item run [@var{arglist}]
40199 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
40200
40201 @item bt
40202 Backtrace: display the program stack.
40203
40204 @item print @var{expr}
40205 Display the value of an expression.
40206
40207 @item c
40208 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
40209
40210 @item next
40211 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
40212 function calls in the line.
40213
40214 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
40215 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
40216
40217 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
40218 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
40219
40220 @item step
40221 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
40222 function calls in the line.
40223
40224 @item help [@var{name}]
40225 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
40226 about using @value{GDBN}.
40227
40228 @item quit
40229 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
40230 @end table
40231
40232 @ifset man
40233 For full details on @value{GDBN},
40234 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40235 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
40236 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
40237 @end ifset
40238 @c man end
40239
40240 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
40241 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
40242 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
40243 encountered with no
40244 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
40245 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
40246 Many options have
40247 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
40248 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
40249 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
40250 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
40251 more usual convention.)
40252
40253 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
40254 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
40255 option is used.
40256
40257 @table @env
40258 @item -help
40259 @itemx -h
40260 List all options, with brief explanations.
40261
40262 @item -symbols=@var{file}
40263 @itemx -s @var{file}
40264 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
40265
40266 @item -write
40267 Enable writing into executable and core files.
40268
40269 @item -exec=@var{file}
40270 @itemx -e @var{file}
40271 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
40272 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
40273 dump.
40274
40275 @item -se=@var{file}
40276 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
40277 file.
40278
40279 @item -core=@var{file}
40280 @itemx -c @var{file}
40281 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
40282
40283 @item -command=@var{file}
40284 @itemx -x @var{file}
40285 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
40286
40287 @item -ex @var{command}
40288 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
40289
40290 @item -directory=@var{directory}
40291 @itemx -d @var{directory}
40292 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
40293
40294 @item -nh
40295 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
40296
40297 @item -nx
40298 @itemx -n
40299 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
40300
40301 @item -quiet
40302 @itemx -q
40303 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
40304 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
40305
40306 @item -batch
40307 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
40308 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
40309 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
40310 commands in the command files.
40311
40312 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
40313 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
40314 more useful, the message
40315
40316 @smallexample
40317 Program exited normally.
40318 @end smallexample
40319
40320 @noindent
40321 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
40322 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
40323
40324 @item -cd=@var{directory}
40325 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
40326 instead of the current directory.
40327
40328 @item -fullname
40329 @itemx -f
40330 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
40331 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
40332 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
40333 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
40334 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
40335 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
40336 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
40337 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
40338
40339 @item -b @var{bps}
40340 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
40341 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
40342
40343 @item -tty=@var{device}
40344 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
40345 @end table
40346 @c man end
40347
40348 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
40349 @ifset man
40350 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40351 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40352 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40353
40354 @smallexample
40355 info gdb
40356 @end smallexample
40357
40358 @noindent
40359 should give you access to the complete manual.
40360
40361 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40362 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40363 @end ifset
40364 @c man end
40365
40366 @node gdbserver man
40367 @heading gdbserver man
40368
40369 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
40370 @format
40371 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
40372 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
40373
40374 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40375
40376 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40377 @c man end
40378 @end format
40379
40380 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
40381 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
40382 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
40383
40384 @ifclear man
40385 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
40386 @end ifclear
40387 @ifset man
40388 Usage (server (target) side):
40389 @end ifset
40390
40391 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
40392 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
40393 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
40394 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
40395
40396 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
40397 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
40398 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
40399
40400 @smallexample
40401 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
40402 @end smallexample
40403
40404 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
40405
40406 @smallexample
40407 @ifset man
40408 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
40409 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
40410 @end ifset
40411 @ifclear man
40412 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
40413 @end ifclear
40414 @end smallexample
40415
40416 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
40417 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
40418 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
40419
40420 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
40421
40422 @smallexample
40423 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
40424 @end smallexample
40425
40426 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
40427 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
40428 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
40429 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
40430 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
40431 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
40432 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
40433 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
40434 print an error message and exit.
40435
40436 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
40437 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
40438
40439 @smallexample
40440 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40441 @end smallexample
40442
40443 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
40444 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
40445
40446 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
40447 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
40448 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
40449 the program you want to debug.
40450
40451 @smallexample
40452 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40453 @end smallexample
40454
40455 @ifclear man
40456 @subheading Usage (host side)
40457 @end ifclear
40458 @ifset man
40459 Usage (host side):
40460 @end ifset
40461
40462 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
40463 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
40464 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
40465 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
40466 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
40467 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
40468 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
40469 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
40470 descriptor. For example:
40471
40472 @smallexample
40473 @ifset man
40474 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
40475 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
40476 @end ifset
40477 @ifclear man
40478 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
40479 @end ifclear
40480 @end smallexample
40481
40482 @noindent
40483 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
40484
40485 @smallexample
40486 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
40487 @end smallexample
40488
40489 @noindent
40490 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
40491 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
40492 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
40493 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
40494 `Connection refused'.
40495
40496 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
40497 described in
40498 @ifset man
40499 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
40500 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
40501 @end ifset
40502 @ifclear man
40503 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
40504 @end ifclear
40505 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
40506
40507 @smallexample
40508 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
40509 @end smallexample
40510
40511 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
40512 case.
40513 @c man end
40514
40515 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
40516 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
40517
40518 @itemize @bullet
40519
40520 @item
40521 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
40522
40523 @smallexample
40524 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
40525 @end smallexample
40526
40527 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
40528 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
40529 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
40530 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
40531 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
40532 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
40533 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
40534
40535 @item
40536 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
40537 program:
40538
40539 @smallexample
40540 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40541 @end smallexample
40542
40543 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
40544 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
40545 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
40546 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
40547
40548 @item
40549 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
40550
40551 @smallexample
40552 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40553 @end smallexample
40554
40555 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
40556 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
40557 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
40558 debug several processes in the same session.
40559 @end itemize
40560
40561 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
40562
40563 @table @env
40564
40565 @item --help
40566 List all options, with brief explanations.
40567
40568 @item --version
40569 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
40570
40571 @item --attach
40572 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
40573
40574 @smallexample
40575 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40576 @end smallexample
40577
40578 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
40579 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
40580
40581 @item --multi
40582 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
40583 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
40584 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
40585 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
40586
40587 @smallexample
40588 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40589 @end smallexample
40590
40591 @item --debug
40592 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
40593 process.
40594 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
40595 the developers.
40596
40597 @item --remote-debug
40598 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
40599 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
40600 the developers.
40601
40602 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
40603 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
40604 of debugging output.
40605 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
40606
40607 @item --wrapper
40608 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
40609 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
40610 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
40611 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
40612
40613 @item --once
40614 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
40615 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
40616 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
40617 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
40618
40619 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
40620
40621 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
40622 @c QDisableRandomization.
40623
40624 @end table
40625 @c man end
40626
40627 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
40628 @ifset man
40629 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40630 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40631 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40632
40633 @smallexample
40634 info gdb
40635 @end smallexample
40636
40637 should give you access to the complete manual.
40638
40639 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40640 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40641 @end ifset
40642 @c man end
40643
40644 @node gcore man
40645 @heading gcore
40646
40647 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
40648
40649 @format
40650 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
40651 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
40652 @c man end
40653 @end format
40654
40655 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
40656 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
40657 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
40658 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
40659 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
40660 running without any change.
40661 @c man end
40662
40663 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
40664 @table @env
40665 @item -o @var{filename}
40666 The optional argument
40667 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
40668 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
40669 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
40670 @end table
40671 @c man end
40672
40673 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
40674 @ifset man
40675 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40676 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40677 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40678
40679 @smallexample
40680 info gdb
40681 @end smallexample
40682
40683 @noindent
40684 should give you access to the complete manual.
40685
40686 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40687 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40688 @end ifset
40689 @c man end
40690
40691 @node gdbinit man
40692 @heading gdbinit
40693
40694 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
40695
40696 @format
40697 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
40698 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40699 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
40700 @end ifset
40701
40702 ~/.gdbinit
40703
40704 ./.gdbinit
40705 @c man end
40706 @end format
40707
40708 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
40709 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
40710 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
40711 described in
40712 @ifset man
40713 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
40714 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
40715 @end ifset
40716 @ifclear man
40717 @ref{Sequences}.
40718 @end ifclear
40719
40720 Please read more in
40721 @ifset man
40722 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
40723 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
40724 @end ifset
40725 @ifclear man
40726 @ref{Startup}.
40727 @end ifclear
40728
40729 @table @env
40730 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40731 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
40732 @end ifset
40733 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40734 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
40735 @end ifclear
40736 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
40737 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
40738 See more in
40739 @ifset man
40740 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
40741 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
40742 @end ifset
40743 @ifclear man
40744 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
40745 @end ifclear
40746
40747 @item ~/.gdbinit
40748 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
40749 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
40750
40751 @item ./.gdbinit
40752 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
40753 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
40754 See more in
40755 @ifset man
40756 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
40757 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
40758 @end ifset
40759 @ifclear man
40760 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
40761 @end ifclear
40762 @end table
40763 @c man end
40764
40765 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
40766 @ifset man
40767 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
40768
40769 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40770 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40771 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40772
40773 @smallexample
40774 info gdb
40775 @end smallexample
40776
40777 should give you access to the complete manual.
40778
40779 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40780 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40781 @end ifset
40782 @c man end
40783
40784 @include gpl.texi
40785
40786 @node GNU Free Documentation License
40787 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40788 @include fdl.texi
40789
40790 @node Concept Index
40791 @unnumbered Concept Index
40792
40793 @printindex cp
40794
40795 @node Command and Variable Index
40796 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40797
40798 @printindex fn
40799
40800 @tex
40801 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40802 % meantime:
40803 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40804 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40805 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40806 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40807 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40808 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40809 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40810 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40811 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40812 \page\colophon
40813 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
40814 @end tex
40815
40816 @bye
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