2000-03-20 Michael Snyder <msnyder@cleaver.cygnus.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988-1999
3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c
5 @c %**start of header
6 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
7 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
8 @setfilename gdb.info
9 @c
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c
12 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
13 @setchapternewpage odd
14 @c %**end of header
15
16 @iftex
17 @c @smallbook
18 @c @cropmarks
19 @end iftex
20
21 @finalout
22 @syncodeindex ky cp
23
24 @c readline appendices use @vindex
25 @syncodeindex vr cp
26
27 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
28 @set EDITION Seventh
29
30 @c !!set GDB manual's revision date
31 @set DATE February 1999
32
33 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
34
35 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
36 @c manuals to an info tree. zoo@cygnus.com is developing this facility.
37 @dircategory Programming & development tools.
38 @direntry
39 * Gdb: (gdb). The @sc{gnu} debugger.
40 @end direntry
41
42 @ifinfo
43 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
44
45
46 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE},
47 of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger}
48 for @value{GDBN} Version @value{GDBVN}.
49
50 Copyright (C) 1988-1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
53 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
54 are preserved on all copies.
55
56 @ignore
57 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
58 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
59 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
60 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
61
62 @end ignore
63 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
64 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
65 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
66 permission notice identical to this one.
67
68 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
69 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
70 @end ifinfo
71
72 @titlepage
73 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
74 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
75 @sp 1
76 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
77 @subtitle @value{DATE}
78 @author Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch
79 @page
80 @tex
81 {\parskip=0pt
82 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
83 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
84 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
85 }
86 @end tex
87
88 @c ISBN seems to be wrong...
89
90 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
91 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
92 @sp 2
93 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
94 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
95 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
96 Printed copies are available for $20 each. @*
97 ISBN 1-882114-11-6 @*
98
99 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
100 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
101 are preserved on all copies.
102
103 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
104 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
105 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
106 permission notice identical to this one.
107
108 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
109 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
110 @end titlepage
111 @page
112
113 @ifnottex
114 @node Top
115 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
116
117 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
118
119 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
120 @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123 @menu
124 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
125 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126
127 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
128 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
129 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
130 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
131 * Stack:: Examining the stack
132 * Source:: Examining source files
133 * Data:: Examining data
134
135 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
136
137 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
138 * Altering:: Altering execution
139 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
140 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
141 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
142 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
143 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
144 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
145 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotations interface.
146
147 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
148 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
149
150 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
151 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
152 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
153 * Index:: Index
154 @end menu
155
156 @end ifnottex
157
158 @node Summary
159 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
160
161 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
162 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
163 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
164
165 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
166 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
167
168 @itemize @bullet
169 @item
170 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
171
172 @item
173 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
174
175 @item
176 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
177
178 @item
179 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
180 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
181 @end itemize
182
183 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C++.
184 For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
185 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
186
187 @cindex Chill
188 @cindex Modula-2
189 Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
190 see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. For information on Chill, see @ref{Chill}.
191
192 @cindex Pascal
193 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
194 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
195 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
196 syntax.
197
198 @cindex Fortran
199 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
200 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
201 underscore.
202
203 @menu
204 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
205 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
206 @end menu
207
208 @node Free Software
209 @unnumberedsec Free software
210
211 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
212 General Public License
213 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
214 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
215 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
216 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
217 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
218 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
219
220 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
221 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
222 from anyone else.
223
224 @node Contributors
225 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
226
227 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
228 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
229 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
230 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
231 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
232 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
233 blow-by-blow account.
234
235 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
236
237 @quotation
238 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
239 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
240 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
241 @end quotation
242
243 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
244 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
245 releases:
246 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
247 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
248 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
249 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
250 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
251 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
252 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
253 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
254
255 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
256 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
257
258 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C++ support in
259 @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
260 Bothner. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C++ demangler. Early work on
261 C++ was by Peter TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading
262 to release 3.0).
263
264 @value{GDBN} 4 uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
265 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
266 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
267
268 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
269 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
270
271 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
272
273 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
274 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
275 support.
276 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
277 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
278 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
279 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
280 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
281 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
282 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
283 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
284 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
285 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
286 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
287 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
288 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
289 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
290 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
291
292 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K Linux support.
293
294 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
295 libraries.
296
297 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
298 about several machine instruction sets.
299
300 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
301 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
302 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
303 and RDI targets, respectively.
304
305 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
306 command-line editing and command history.
307
308 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
309 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
310
311 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
312 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C++ overloaded
313 symbols.
314
315 Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for H8/300, H8/500, and
316 Super-H processors.
317
318 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
319
320 Mitsubishi sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D processors.
321
322 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
323
324 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
325
326 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
327
328 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
329 watchpoints.
330
331 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
332
333 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
334
335 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
336 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
337
338 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
339 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
340 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC++
341 compiler, and the terminal user interface: Ben Krepp, Richard Title,
342 John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann, Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve
343 Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase provided HP-specific
344 information in this manual.
345
346 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
347 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
348 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
349 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
350 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
351 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
352 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
353 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
354 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
355 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
356 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
357 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
358 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
359 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
360 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
361
362
363 @node Sample Session
364 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
365
366 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
367 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
368 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
369
370 @iftex
371 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
372 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
373 @end iftex
374
375 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
376 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
377
378 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
379 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
380 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
381 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
382 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
383 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
384 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
385 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
386 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
387
388 @smallexample
389 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
390 $ @b{./m4}
391 @b{define(foo,0000)}
392
393 @b{foo}
394 0000
395 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
396
397 @b{bar}
398 0000
399 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
400
401 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
402 @b{baz}
403 @b{C-d}
404 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
405 @end smallexample
406
407 @noindent
408 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
409
410 @smallexample
411 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
412 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
413 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
414 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
415 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
416 the conditions.
417 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
418 for details.
419
420 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
421 (@value{GDBP})
422 @end smallexample
423
424 @noindent
425 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
426 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
427 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
428 that examples fit in this manual.
429
430 @smallexample
431 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
432 @end smallexample
433
434 @noindent
435 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
436 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
437 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
438 @code{break} command.
439
440 @smallexample
441 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
442 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
443 @end smallexample
444
445 @noindent
446 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
447 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
448 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
449
450 @smallexample
451 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
452 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
453 @b{define(foo,0000)}
454
455 @b{foo}
456 0000
457 @end smallexample
458
459 @noindent
460 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
461 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
462 context where it stops.
463
464 @smallexample
465 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
466
467 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
468 at builtin.c:879
469 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
470 @end smallexample
471
472 @noindent
473 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
474 the next line of the current function.
475
476 @smallexample
477 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
478 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
479 : nil,
480 @end smallexample
481
482 @noindent
483 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
484 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
485 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
486 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
487
488 @smallexample
489 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
490 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
491 at input.c:530
492 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
493 @end smallexample
494
495 @noindent
496 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
497 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
498 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
499 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
500 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
501 stack frame for each active subroutine.
502
503 @smallexample
504 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
505 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
506 at input.c:530
507 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
508 at builtin.c:882
509 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
510 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
511 at macro.c:71
512 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
513 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
514 @end smallexample
515
516 @noindent
517 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
518 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
519 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
520
521 @smallexample
522 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
523 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
524 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
525 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
526 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
527 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
528 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
529 : xstrdup(rq);
530 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
531 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
532 @end smallexample
533
534 @noindent
535 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
536 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
537 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
538 (@code{print}) to see their values.
539
540 @smallexample
541 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
542 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
543 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
544 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
545 @end smallexample
546
547 @noindent
548 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
549 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
550 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
551
552 @smallexample
553 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
554 533 xfree(rquote);
555 534
556 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
557 : xstrdup (lq);
558 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
559 : xstrdup (rq);
560 537
561 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
562 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
563 540 @}
564 541
565 542 void
566 @end smallexample
567
568 @noindent
569 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
570 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
571
572 @smallexample
573 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
574 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
575 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
576 540 @}
577 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
578 $3 = 9
579 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
580 $4 = 7
581 @end smallexample
582
583 @noindent
584 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
585 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
586 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
587 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
588 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
589 assignments.
590
591 @smallexample
592 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
593 $5 = 7
594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
595 $6 = 9
596 @end smallexample
597
598 @noindent
599 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
600 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
601 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
602 example that caused trouble initially:
603
604 @smallexample
605 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
606 Continuing.
607
608 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
609
610 baz
611 0000
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
616 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
617 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
618
619 @smallexample
620 @b{C-d}
621 Program exited normally.
622 @end smallexample
623
624 @noindent
625 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
626 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
627 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
628
629 @smallexample
630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
631 @end smallexample
632
633 @node Invocation
634 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
635
636 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
637 The essentials are:
638 @itemize @bullet
639 @item
640 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
641 @item
642 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
643 @end itemize
644
645 @menu
646 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
647 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
648 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
649 @end menu
650
651 @node Invoking GDB
652 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
653
654 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
655 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
656
657 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
658 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
659
660 The command-line options described here are designed
661 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
662 options may effectively be unavailable.
663
664 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
665 specifying an executable program:
666
667 @example
668 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
669 @end example
670
671 @noindent
672 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
673 specified:
674
675 @example
676 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
677 @end example
678
679 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
680 to debug a running process:
681
682 @example
683 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
684 @end example
685
686 @noindent
687 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
688 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
689
690 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
691 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
692 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
693 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
694 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
695
696 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
697 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
698
699 @smallexample
700 @value{GDBP} -silent
701 @end smallexample
702
703 @noindent
704 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
705 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
706
707 @noindent
708 Type
709
710 @example
711 @value{GDBP} -help
712 @end example
713
714 @noindent
715 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
716 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
717
718 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
719 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
720 @samp{-x} option is used.
721
722
723 @menu
724 * File Options:: Choosing files
725 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
726 @end menu
727
728 @node File Options
729 @subsection Choosing files
730
731 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
732 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
733 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
734 @samp{-c} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the first argument
735 that does not have an associated option flag as equivalent to the
736 @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the second argument
737 that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as equivalent to
738 the @samp{-c} option followed by that argument.)
739
740 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
741 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
742 argument and ignore it.
743
744 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
745 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
746 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
747 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
748 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
749
750 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
751 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
752 @c it.
753
754 @table @code
755 @item -symbols @var{file}
756 @itemx -s @var{file}
757 @cindex @code{--symbols}
758 @cindex @code{-s}
759 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
760
761 @item -exec @var{file}
762 @itemx -e @var{file}
763 @cindex @code{--exec}
764 @cindex @code{-e}
765 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
766 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
767
768 @item -se @var{file}
769 @cindex @code{--se}
770 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
771 file.
772
773 @item -core @var{file}
774 @itemx -c @var{file}
775 @cindex @code{--core}
776 @cindex @code{-c}
777 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
778
779 @item -c @var{number}
780 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command
781 (unless there is a file in core-dump format named @var{number}, in which
782 case @samp{-c} specifies that file as a core dump to read).
783
784 @item -command @var{file}
785 @itemx -x @var{file}
786 @cindex @code{--command}
787 @cindex @code{-x}
788 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
789 Files,, Command files}.
790
791 @item -directory @var{directory}
792 @itemx -d @var{directory}
793 @cindex @code{--directory}
794 @cindex @code{-d}
795 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
796
797 @item -m
798 @itemx -mapped
799 @cindex @code{--mapped}
800 @cindex @code{-m}
801 @emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
802 supported on all systems.}@*
803 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
804 system call, you can use this option
805 to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
806 program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
807 called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{/tmp/fred.syms}.
808 Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
809 and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
810 the symbol table from the executable program.
811
812 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
813 is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
814 table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
815
816 @item -r
817 @itemx -readnow
818 @cindex @code{--readnow}
819 @cindex @code{-r}
820 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
821 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
822 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
823
824 @end table
825
826 You typically combine the @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options in
827 order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
828 information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
829 on @file{.syms} files.) A simple @value{GDBN} invocation to do nothing
830 but build a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
831
832 @example
833 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
834 @end example
835
836 @node Mode Options
837 @subsection Choosing modes
838
839 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
840 batch mode or quiet mode.
841
842 @table @code
843 @item -nx
844 @itemx -n
845 @cindex @code{--nx}
846 @cindex @code{-n}
847 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files (normally
848 called @file{.gdbinit}, or @file{gdb.ini} on PCs). Normally,
849 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
850 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
851 files}.
852
853 @item -quiet
854 @itemx -silent
855 @itemx -q
856 @cindex @code{--quiet}
857 @cindex @code{--silent}
858 @cindex @code{-q}
859 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
860 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
861
862 @item -batch
863 @cindex @code{--batch}
864 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
865 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
866 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
867 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
868 in the command files.
869
870 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
871 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
872 make this more useful, the message
873
874 @example
875 Program exited normally.
876 @end example
877
878 @noindent
879 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
880 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
881 mode.
882
883 @item -nowindows
884 @itemx -nw
885 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
886 @cindex @code{-nw}
887 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
888 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
889 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
890
891 @item -windows
892 @itemx -w
893 @cindex @code{--windows}
894 @cindex @code{-w}
895 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
896 used if possible.
897
898 @item -cd @var{directory}
899 @cindex @code{--cd}
900 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
901 instead of the current directory.
902
903 @item -fullname
904 @itemx -f
905 @cindex @code{--fullname}
906 @cindex @code{-f}
907 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
908 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
909 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
910 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
911 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
912 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
913 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
914 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
915 frame.
916
917 @item -epoch
918 @cindex @code{--epoch}
919 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
920 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
921 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
922 separate window.
923
924 @item -annotate @var{level}
925 @cindex @code{--annotate}
926 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
927 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
928 (@pxref{Annotations}).
929 Annotation level controls how much information does @value{GDBN} print
930 together with its prompt, values of expressions, source lines, and other
931 types of output. Level 0 is the normal, level 1 is for use when
932 @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 2 is the
933 maximum annotation suitable for programs that control @value{GDBN}.
934
935 @item -async
936 @cindex @code{--async}
937 Use the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
938 @value{GDBN} processes all events, such as user keyboard input, via a
939 special event loop. This allows @value{GDBN} to accept and process user
940 commands in parallel with the debugged process being
941 run@footnote{@value{GDBN} built with @sc{djgpp} tools for
942 MS-DOS/MS-Windows supports this mode of operation, but the event loop is
943 suspended when the debuggee runs.}, so you don't need to wait for
944 control to return to @value{GDBN} before you type the next command.
945 (@emph{Note:} as of version 5.0, the target side of the asynchronous
946 operation is not yet in place, so @samp{-async} does not work fully
947 yet.)
948 @c FIXME: when the target side of the event loop is done, the above NOTE
949 @c should be removed.
950
951 When the standard input is connected to a terminal device, @value{GDBN}
952 uses the asynchronous event loop by default, unless disabled by the
953 @samp{-noasync} option.
954
955 @item -noasync
956 @cindex @code{--noasync}
957 Disable the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
958
959 @item -baud @var{bps}
960 @itemx -b @var{bps}
961 @cindex @code{--baud}
962 @cindex @code{-b}
963 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
964 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
965
966 @item -tty @var{device}
967 @itemx -t @var{device}
968 @cindex @code{--tty}
969 @cindex @code{-t}
970 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
971 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
972
973 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
974 @c @item -tui
975 @c @cindex @code{--tui}
976 @c Use a Terminal User Interface. For information, use your Web browser to
977 @c read the file @file{TUI.html}, which is usually installed in the
978 @c directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX systems. Do not use
979 @c this option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (see @pxref{Emacs, ,Using
980 @c @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
981
982 @c @item -xdb
983 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
984 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
985 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
986 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
987 @c systems.
988
989 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
990 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
991 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
992 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
993 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end. For example,
994 @samp{--interpreter=mi} causes @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{gdbmi
995 interface}.
996 @c FIXME: There should be an @xref here to the GDB/MI docs, but
997 @c gdbmi.texi doesn't have a single node to reference!
998
999 @item -write
1000 @cindex @code{--write}
1001 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1002 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1003 (@pxref{Patching}).
1004
1005 @item -statistics
1006 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1007 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1008 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1009
1010 @item -version
1011 @cindex @code{--version}
1012 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1013 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1014
1015 @end table
1016
1017 @node Quitting GDB
1018 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1019 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1020 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1021
1022 @table @code
1023 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1024 @kindex q
1025 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1026 @itemx q
1027 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1028 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1029 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1030 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1031 error code.
1032 @end table
1033
1034 @cindex interrupt
1035 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1036 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1037 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1038 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1039 until a time when it is safe.
1040
1041 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1042 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1043 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1044
1045 @node Shell Commands
1046 @section Shell commands
1047
1048 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1049 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1050 just use the @code{shell} command.
1051
1052 @table @code
1053 @kindex shell
1054 @cindex shell escape
1055 @item shell @var{command string}
1056 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1057 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1058 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1059 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1060 @end table
1061
1062 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1063 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1064 @value{GDBN}:
1065
1066 @table @code
1067 @kindex make
1068 @cindex calling make
1069 @item make @var{make-args}
1070 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1071 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1072 @end table
1073
1074 @node Commands
1075 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1076
1077 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1078 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1079 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1080 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1081 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1082
1083 @menu
1084 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1085 * Completion:: Command completion
1086 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1087 @end menu
1088
1089 @node Command Syntax
1090 @section Command syntax
1091
1092 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1093 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1094 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1095 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1096 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1097 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1098
1099 @cindex abbreviation
1100 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1101 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1102 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1103 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1104 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1105 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1106 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1107
1108 @cindex repeating commands
1109 @kindex RET
1110 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1111 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1112 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1113 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1114 repeat.
1115
1116 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1117 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1118 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1119
1120 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1121 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1122 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1123 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1124 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1125
1126 @kindex #
1127 @cindex comment
1128 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1129 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1130 Files,,Command files}).
1131
1132 @node Completion
1133 @section Command completion
1134
1135 @cindex completion
1136 @cindex word completion
1137 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1138 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1139 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1140 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1141
1142 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1143 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1144 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1145 enter it). For example, if you type
1146
1147 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1148 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1149 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1150 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1151 @example
1152 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1153 @end example
1154
1155 @noindent
1156 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1157 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1158
1159 @example
1160 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1161 @end example
1162
1163 @noindent
1164 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1165 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1166 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1167 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1168 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1169 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1170
1171 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1172 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1173 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1174 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1175 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1176 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1177 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1178 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1179 example:
1180
1181 @example
1182 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1183 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1184 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1185 make_abs_section make_function_type
1186 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1187 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1188 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1189 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1190 @end example
1191
1192 @noindent
1193 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1194 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1195 command.
1196
1197 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1198 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1199 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1200 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1201 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1202
1203 @cindex quotes in commands
1204 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1205 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1206 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1207 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1208 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1209 @value{GDBN} commands.
1210
1211 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1212 name of a C++ function. This is because C++ allows function overloading
1213 (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by argument
1214 type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you may need to
1215 distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that takes an
1216 @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version that takes a
1217 @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the word-completion
1218 facilities in this situation, type a single quote @code{'} at the
1219 beginning of the function name. This alerts @value{GDBN} that it may need to
1220 consider more information than usual when you press @key{TAB} or
1221 @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1222
1223 @example
1224 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1225 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1226 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1227 @end example
1228
1229 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1230 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1231 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1232 place:
1233
1234 @example
1235 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1236 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1237 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1238 @end example
1239
1240 @noindent
1241 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1242 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1243 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1244
1245 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1246 expressions, ,C++ expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1247 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1248 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C++}.
1249
1250
1251 @node Help
1252 @section Getting help
1253 @cindex online documentation
1254 @kindex help
1255
1256 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1257 using the command @code{help}.
1258
1259 @table @code
1260 @kindex h
1261 @item help
1262 @itemx h
1263 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1264 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1265
1266 @smallexample
1267 (@value{GDBP}) help
1268 List of classes of commands:
1269
1270 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1271 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1272 data -- Examining data
1273 files -- Specifying and examining files
1274 internals -- Maintenance commands
1275 obscure -- Obscure features
1276 running -- Running the program
1277 stack -- Examining the stack
1278 status -- Status inquiries
1279 support -- Support facilities
1280 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1281 stopping the program
1282 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1283
1284 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1285 commands in that class.
1286 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1287 documentation.
1288 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1289 (@value{GDBP})
1290 @end smallexample
1291 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1292
1293 @item help @var{class}
1294 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1295 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1296 help display for the class @code{status}:
1297
1298 @smallexample
1299 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1300 Status inquiries.
1301
1302 List of commands:
1303
1304 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1305 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1306 info -- Generic command for showing things
1307 about the program being debugged
1308 show -- Generic command for showing things
1309 about the debugger
1310
1311 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1312 documentation.
1313 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1314 (@value{GDBP})
1315 @end smallexample
1316
1317 @item help @var{command}
1318 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1319 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1320
1321 @kindex apropos
1322 @item apropos @var{args}
1323 The @code{apropos @var{args}} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1324 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1325 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1326
1327 @smallexample
1328 apropos reload
1329 @end smallexample
1330
1331 @noindent results in:
1332
1333 @smallexample
1334 @group
1335 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading multiple times in one run
1336 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading multiple times in one run
1337 @end group
1338 @end smallexample
1339
1340 @kindex complete
1341 @item complete @var{args}
1342 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1343 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1344 command you want completed. For example:
1345
1346 @smallexample
1347 complete i
1348 @end smallexample
1349
1350 @noindent results in:
1351
1352 @smallexample
1353 @group
1354 if
1355 ignore
1356 info
1357 inspect
1358 @end group
1359 @end smallexample
1360
1361 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1362 @end table
1363
1364 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1365 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1366 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1367 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1368 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1369 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1370
1371 @c @group
1372 @table @code
1373 @kindex info
1374 @kindex i
1375 @item info
1376 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1377 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1378 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1379 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1380 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1381 @w{@code{help info}}.
1382
1383 @kindex set
1384 @item set
1385 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1386 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1387 @code{set prompt $}.
1388
1389 @kindex show
1390 @item show
1391 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1392 @value{GDBN} itself.
1393 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1394 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1395 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1396 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1397
1398 @kindex info set
1399 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1400 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1401 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1402 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1403 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1404 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1405 @end table
1406 @c @end group
1407
1408 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1409 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1410
1411 @table @code
1412 @kindex show version
1413 @cindex version number
1414 @item show version
1415 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1416 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1417 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1418 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1419 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1420 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1421 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1422 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1423 @value{GDBN}.
1424
1425 @kindex show copying
1426 @item show copying
1427 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1428
1429 @kindex show warranty
1430 @item show warranty
1431 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1432 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1433
1434 @end table
1435
1436 @node Running
1437 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1438
1439 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1440 debugging information when you compile it.
1441
1442 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1443 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1444 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1445 kill a child process.
1446
1447 @menu
1448 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1449 * Starting:: Starting your program
1450 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1451 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1452
1453 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1454 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1455 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1456 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1457
1458 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1459 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1460 @end menu
1461
1462 @node Compilation
1463 @section Compiling for debugging
1464
1465 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1466 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1467 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1468 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1469 and addresses in the executable code.
1470
1471 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1472 the compiler.
1473
1474 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1475 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1476 executables containing debugging information.
1477
1478 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1479 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1480 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1481 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1482 in pushing your luck.
1483
1484 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1485 @cindex debugging optimized code
1486 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1487 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1488 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1489 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1490 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1491 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1492
1493 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1494 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1495 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1496 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1497
1498 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1499 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1500 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1501
1502 @need 2000
1503 @node Starting
1504 @section Starting your program
1505 @cindex starting
1506 @cindex running
1507
1508 @table @code
1509 @kindex run
1510 @item run
1511 @itemx r
1512 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1513 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1514 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1515 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1516 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1517
1518 @end table
1519
1520 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1521 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1522 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1523 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1524
1525 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1526 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1527 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1528 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1529 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1530 divided into four categories:
1531
1532 @table @asis
1533 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1534 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1535 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1536 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1537 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1538 the arguments.
1539 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1540 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1541 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1542
1543 @item The @emph{environment.}
1544 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1545 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1546 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1547 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1548
1549 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1550 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1551 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1552 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1553
1554 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1555 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1556 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1557 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1558 set a different device for your program.
1559 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1560
1561 @cindex pipes
1562 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1563 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1564 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1565 wrong program.
1566 @end table
1567
1568 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1569 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1570 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1571 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1572 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1573
1574 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1575 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1576 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1577 your current breakpoints.
1578
1579 @node Arguments
1580 @section Your program's arguments
1581
1582 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1583 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1584 @code{run} command.
1585 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1586 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1587 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1588 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1589 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1590
1591 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1592 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1593 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1594 the program, not by the shell.
1595
1596 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1597 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1598
1599 @kindex set args
1600 @table @code
1601 @item set args
1602 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1603 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1604 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1605 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1606 it again without arguments.
1607
1608 @kindex show args
1609 @item show args
1610 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1611 @end table
1612
1613 @node Environment
1614 @section Your program's environment
1615
1616 @cindex environment (of your program)
1617 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1618 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1619 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1620 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1621 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1622 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1623 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1624
1625 @table @code
1626 @kindex path
1627 @item path @var{directory}
1628 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1629 (the search path for executables), for both @value{GDBN} and your program.
1630 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1631 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1632 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1633 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1634
1635 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1636 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1637 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1638 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1639 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1640 @var{directory} to the search path.
1641 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1642 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1643
1644 @kindex show paths
1645 @item show paths
1646 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1647 environment variable).
1648
1649 @kindex show environment
1650 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1651 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1652 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1653 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1654 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1655
1656 @kindex set environment
1657 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1658 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1659 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1660 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1661 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1662 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1663 null value.
1664 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1665 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1666
1667 For example, this command:
1668
1669 @example
1670 set env USER = foo
1671 @end example
1672
1673 @noindent
1674 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1675 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1676 are not actually required.)
1677
1678 @kindex unset environment
1679 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1680 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1681 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1682 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1683 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1684 @end table
1685
1686 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
1687 the shell indicated
1688 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1689 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1690 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1691 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
1692 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1693 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1694 @file{.profile}.
1695
1696 @node Working Directory
1697 @section Your program's working directory
1698
1699 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1700 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1701 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1702 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1703 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1704 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
1705
1706 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1707 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1708 specify files}.
1709
1710 @table @code
1711 @kindex cd
1712 @item cd @var{directory}
1713 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
1714
1715 @kindex pwd
1716 @item pwd
1717 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
1718 @end table
1719
1720 @node Input/Output
1721 @section Your program's input and output
1722
1723 @cindex redirection
1724 @cindex i/o
1725 @cindex terminal
1726 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
1727 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
1728 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1729 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1730 running your program.
1731
1732 @table @code
1733 @kindex info terminal
1734 @item info terminal
1735 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
1736 program is using.
1737 @end table
1738
1739 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
1740 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1741
1742 @example
1743 run > outfile
1744 @end example
1745
1746 @noindent
1747 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1748
1749 @kindex tty
1750 @cindex controlling terminal
1751 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
1752 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1753 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1754 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1755 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1756
1757 @example
1758 tty /dev/ttyb
1759 @end example
1760
1761 @noindent
1762 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1763 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1764 that as their controlling terminal.
1765
1766 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1767 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1768 terminal.
1769
1770 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1771 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1772 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
1773
1774 @node Attach
1775 @section Debugging an already-running process
1776 @kindex attach
1777 @cindex attach
1778
1779 @table @code
1780 @item attach @var{process-id}
1781 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
1782 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
1783 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1784 find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1785 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
1786
1787 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1788 executing the command.
1789 @end table
1790
1791 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1792 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1793 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1794 also have permission to send the process a signal.
1795
1796 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
1797 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
1798 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
1799 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
1800 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1801 Specify Files}.
1802
1803 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
1804 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1805 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
1806 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
1807 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
1808 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
1809 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
1810
1811 @table @code
1812 @kindex detach
1813 @item detach
1814 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
1815 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
1816 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
1817 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
1818 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
1819 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
1820 executing the command.
1821 @end table
1822
1823 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
1824 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
1825 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
1826 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
1827 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
1828 messages}).
1829
1830 @node Kill Process
1831 @section Killing the child process
1832
1833 @table @code
1834 @kindex kill
1835 @item kill
1836 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
1837 @end table
1838
1839 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
1840 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
1841 is running.
1842
1843 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
1844 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
1845 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
1846 outside the debugger.
1847
1848 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
1849 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
1850 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
1851 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
1852 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
1853 breakpoint settings).
1854
1855 @node Threads
1856 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
1857
1858 @cindex threads of execution
1859 @cindex multiple threads
1860 @cindex switching threads
1861 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
1862 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
1863 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
1864 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
1865 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
1866 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
1867 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
1868
1869 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
1870 programs:
1871
1872 @itemize @bullet
1873 @item automatic notification of new threads
1874 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
1875 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
1876 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
1877 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
1878 @item thread-specific breakpoints
1879 @end itemize
1880
1881 @quotation
1882 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
1883 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
1884 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
1885 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
1886 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
1887 like this:
1888
1889 @smallexample
1890 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
1891 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
1892 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
1893 see the IDs of currently known threads.
1894 @end smallexample
1895 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
1896 @c doesn't support threads"?
1897 @end quotation
1898
1899 @cindex focus of debugging
1900 @cindex current thread
1901 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
1902 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
1903 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
1904 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
1905 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
1906
1907 @kindex New @var{systag}
1908 @cindex thread identifier (system)
1909 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
1910 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
1911 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
1912 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
1913 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
1914 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
1915 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
1916 LynxOS, you might see
1917
1918 @example
1919 [New process 35 thread 27]
1920 @end example
1921
1922 @noindent
1923 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
1924 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
1925 further qualifier.
1926
1927 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
1928 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
1929 @c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
1930 @c program?
1931 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
1932 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
1933 @c threads ab initio?
1934
1935 @cindex thread number
1936 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
1937 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
1938 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
1939
1940 @table @code
1941 @kindex info threads
1942 @item info threads
1943 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
1944 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
1945
1946 @enumerate
1947 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
1948
1949 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
1950
1951 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
1952 @end enumerate
1953
1954 @noindent
1955 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
1956 indicates the current thread.
1957
1958 For example,
1959 @end table
1960 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
1961
1962 @smallexample
1963 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
1964 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1965 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1966 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
1967 at threadtest.c:68
1968 @end smallexample
1969
1970 On HP-UX systems:
1971
1972 @cindex thread number
1973 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
1974 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
1975 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
1976 thread in your program.
1977
1978 @kindex New @var{systag}
1979 @cindex thread identifier (system)
1980 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
1981 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
1982 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
1983 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
1984 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
1985 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
1986 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
1987 HP-UX, you see
1988
1989 @example
1990 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
1991 @end example
1992
1993 @noindent
1994 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
1995
1996 @table @code
1997 @kindex info threads
1998 @item info threads
1999 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2000 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2001
2002 @enumerate
2003 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2004
2005 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2006
2007 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2008 @end enumerate
2009
2010 @noindent
2011 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2012 indicates the current thread.
2013
2014 For example,
2015 @end table
2016 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2017
2018 @example
2019 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2020 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") at quicksort.c:137
2021 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () from /usr/lib/libc.2
2022 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () from /usr/lib/libc.2
2023 @end example
2024
2025 @table @code
2026 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2027 @item thread @var{threadno}
2028 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2029 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2030 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2031 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2032 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2033
2034 @smallexample
2035 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2036 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2037 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2038 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2039 @end smallexample
2040
2041 @noindent
2042 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2043 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2044 threads.
2045
2046 @kindex thread apply
2047 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2048 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2049 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2050 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2051 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2052 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2053 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2054 @end table
2055
2056 @cindex automatic thread selection
2057 @cindex switching threads automatically
2058 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2059 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2060 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2061 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2062 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2063 thread.
2064
2065 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2066 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2067 programs with multiple threads.
2068
2069 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2070 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2071
2072 @node Processes
2073 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2074
2075 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2076 @cindex multiple processes
2077 @cindex processes, multiple
2078 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2079 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2080 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2081 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2082 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2083 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2084 will cause it to terminate.
2085
2086 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2087 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2088 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2089 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2090 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2091 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2092 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2093 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2094 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2095 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2096
2097 On HP-UX (11.x and later only?), @value{GDBN} provides support for
2098 debugging programs that create additional processes using the
2099 @code{fork} or @code{vfork} function.
2100
2101 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2102 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2103
2104 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2105 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2106
2107 @table @code
2108 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2109 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2110 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2111 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2112 process. The @var{mode} can be:
2113
2114 @table @code
2115 @item parent
2116 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2117 unimpeded. This is the default.
2118
2119 @item child
2120 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2121 unimpeded.
2122
2123 @item ask
2124 The debugger will ask for one of the above choices.
2125 @end table
2126
2127 @item show follow-fork-mode
2128 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2129 @end table
2130
2131 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2132 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2133 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2134 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2135 the child process's @code{main}.
2136
2137 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2138 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2139
2140 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2141 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2142 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2143 argument.
2144
2145 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2146 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2147 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2148
2149 @node Stopping
2150 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2151
2152 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2153 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2154 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2155
2156 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2157 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2158 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2159 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2160 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2161 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2162 explicitly request this information at any time.
2163
2164 @table @code
2165 @kindex info program
2166 @item info program
2167 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2168 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @menu
2172 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2173 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2174 * Signals:: Signals
2175 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2176 @end menu
2177
2178 @node Breakpoints
2179 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2180
2181 @cindex breakpoints
2182 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2183 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2184 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2185 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2186 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2187 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2188 program.
2189
2190 In HP-UX, SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can set
2191 breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run. There is
2192 a minor limitation on HP-UX systems: you must wait until the executable
2193 is run in order to set breakpoints in shared library routines that are
2194 not called directly by the program (for example, routines that are
2195 arguments in a @code{pthread_create} call).
2196
2197 @cindex watchpoints
2198 @cindex memory tracing
2199 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2200 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2201 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2202 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2203 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2204 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2205 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2206 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2207
2208 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2209 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2210 Automatic display}.
2211
2212 @cindex catchpoints
2213 @cindex breakpoint on events
2214 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2215 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C++
2216 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2217 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2218 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2219 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2220 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2221
2222 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2223 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2224 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2225 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2226 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2227 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2228 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2229 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2230 enable it again.
2231
2232 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2233 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2234 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2235 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2236 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2237 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2238 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2239
2240 @menu
2241 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2242 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2243 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2244 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2245 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2246 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2247 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2248 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2249 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2250 @end menu
2251
2252 @node Set Breaks
2253 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2254
2255 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2256 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2257 @c
2258 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2259
2260 @kindex break
2261 @kindex b
2262 @kindex $bpnum
2263 @cindex latest breakpoint
2264 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2265 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2266 number of the breakpoints you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2267 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2268 convenience variables.
2269
2270 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2271
2272 @table @code
2273 @item break @var{function}
2274 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2275 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2276 C++, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2277 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2278
2279 @item break +@var{offset}
2280 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2281 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2282 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2283 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2284
2285 @item break @var{linenum}
2286 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2287 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2288 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2289 code on that line.
2290
2291 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2292 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2293
2294 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2295 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2296 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2297 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2298 functions.
2299
2300 @item break *@var{address}
2301 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2302 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2303 information or source files.
2304
2305 @item break
2306 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2307 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2308 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2309 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2310 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2311 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2312 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2313 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2314 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2315 inside loops.
2316
2317 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2318 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2319 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2320 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2321 existed when your program stopped.
2322
2323 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2324 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2325 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2326 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2327 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2328 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2329 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2330
2331 @kindex tbreak
2332 @item tbreak @var{args}
2333 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2334 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2335 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2336 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2337
2338 @kindex hbreak
2339 @item hbreak @var{args}
2340 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2341 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2342 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2343 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2344 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2345 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2346 provided by SPARClite DSU and some x86-based targets. These targets
2347 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2348 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2349 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2350 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2351 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2352 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2353 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2354
2355 @kindex thbreak
2356 @item thbreak @var{args}
2357 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2358 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2359 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2360 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2361 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2362 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2363 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2364 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2365
2366 @kindex rbreak
2367 @cindex regular expression
2368 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2369 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2370 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2371 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2372 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2373 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2374 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2375
2376 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2377 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2378 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2379 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2380 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2381 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2382
2383 When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2384 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2385 classes.
2386
2387 @kindex info breakpoints
2388 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2389 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2390 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2391 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2392 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2393 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2394
2395 @table @emph
2396 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2397 @item Type
2398 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2399 @item Disposition
2400 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2401 @item Enabled or Disabled
2402 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2403 that are not enabled.
2404 @item Address
2405 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address.
2406 @item What
2407 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2408 line number.
2409 @end table
2410
2411 @noindent
2412 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2413 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2414 are listed after that.
2415
2416 @noindent
2417 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2418 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2419 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2420 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2421 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2422
2423 @noindent
2424 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2425 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2426 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2427 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2428 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2429 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2430 @end table
2431
2432 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2433 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2434 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2435 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2436
2437 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2438 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2439 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for special
2440 purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C programs).
2441 These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers, starting with
2442 @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2443
2444 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2445 @samp{maint info breakpoints}.
2446
2447 @table @code
2448 @kindex maint info breakpoints
2449 @item maint info breakpoints
2450 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
2451 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
2452 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
2453 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
2454 is shown:
2455
2456 @table @code
2457 @item breakpoint
2458 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
2459
2460 @item watchpoint
2461 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
2462
2463 @item longjmp
2464 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
2465 @code{longjmp} calls.
2466
2467 @item longjmp resume
2468 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
2469
2470 @item until
2471 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
2472
2473 @item finish
2474 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
2475
2476 @item shlib events
2477 Shared library events.
2478
2479 @end table
2480
2481 @end table
2482
2483
2484 @node Set Watchpoints
2485 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2486
2487 @cindex setting watchpoints
2488 @cindex software watchpoints
2489 @cindex hardware watchpoints
2490 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2491 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
2492 this may happen.
2493
2494 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
2495 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
2496 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
2497 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
2498 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
2499 culprit.)
2500
2501 On some systems, such as HP-UX, Linux and some other x86-based targets,
2502 @value{GDBN} includes support for
2503 hardware watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your
2504 program.
2505
2506 @table @code
2507 @kindex watch
2508 @item watch @var{expr}
2509 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2510 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2511
2512 @kindex rwatch
2513 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2514 Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{expr} is read by the program.
2515
2516 @kindex awatch
2517 @item awatch @var{expr}
2518 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read or written into
2519 by the program.
2520
2521 @kindex info watchpoints
2522 @item info watchpoints
2523 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
2524 it is the same as @code{info break}.
2525 @end table
2526
2527 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
2528 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
2529 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
2530 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
2531 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
2532 statement, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
2533
2534 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
2535
2536 @example
2537 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
2538 @end example
2539
2540 @noindent
2541 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
2542
2543 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
2544 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
2545 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
2546 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
2547 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
2548 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
2549 will print a message like this:
2550
2551 @smallexample
2552 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
2553 @end smallexample
2554
2555 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
2556 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
2557 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
2558 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
2559 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
2560 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
2561 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
2562 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
2563
2564 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
2565 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
2566 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
2567 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
2568 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
2569 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
2570
2571 @smallexample
2572 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
2573 @end smallexample
2574
2575 @noindent
2576 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
2577
2578 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
2579 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
2580 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
2581 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
2582 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2583 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
2584 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2585 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2586 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2587 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2588
2589 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
2590 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
2591 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
2592
2593 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
2594 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
2595 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
2596 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
2597 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
2598 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
2599 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
2600 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
2601 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
2602
2603 @quotation
2604 @cindex watchpoints and threads
2605 @cindex threads and watchpoints
2606 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2607 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2608 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2609 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
2610 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
2611 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
2612 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2613 the expression.
2614
2615 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
2616 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
2617 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
2618 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
2619 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
2620 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
2621 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
2622 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
2623 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
2624 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
2625 @end quotation
2626
2627 @node Set Catchpoints
2628 @subsection Setting catchpoints
2629 @cindex catchpoints, setting
2630 @cindex exception handlers
2631 @cindex event handling
2632
2633 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
2634 kinds of program events, such as C++ exceptions or the loading of a
2635 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
2636
2637 @table @code
2638 @kindex catch
2639 @item catch @var{event}
2640 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
2641 @table @code
2642 @item throw
2643 @kindex catch throw
2644 The throwing of a C++ exception.
2645
2646 @item catch
2647 @kindex catch catch
2648 The catching of a C++ exception.
2649
2650 @item exec
2651 @kindex catch exec
2652 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2653
2654 @item fork
2655 @kindex catch fork
2656 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2657
2658 @item vfork
2659 @kindex catch vfork
2660 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2661
2662 @item load
2663 @itemx load @var{libname}
2664 @kindex catch load
2665 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
2666 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2667
2668 @item unload
2669 @itemx unload @var{libname}
2670 @kindex catch unload
2671 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
2672 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2673 @end table
2674
2675 @item tcatch @var{event}
2676 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
2677 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
2678
2679 @end table
2680
2681 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
2682
2683 There are currently some limitations to C++ exception handling
2684 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
2685
2686 @itemize @bullet
2687 @item
2688 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
2689 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2690 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
2691 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
2692 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
2693 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
2694 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
2695 disabled within interactive calls.
2696
2697 @item
2698 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
2699
2700 @item
2701 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
2702 @end itemize
2703
2704 @cindex raise exceptions
2705 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
2706 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
2707 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2708 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2709 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2710 out where the exception was raised.
2711
2712 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
2713 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C++, exceptions are
2714 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2715 which has the following ANSI C interface:
2716
2717 @example
2718 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
2719 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
2720 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
2721 @end example
2722
2723 @noindent
2724 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2725 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
2726 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
2727
2728 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
2729 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2730 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2731 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2732 raised.
2733
2734
2735 @node Delete Breaks
2736 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
2737
2738 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2739 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2740 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2741 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
2742 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
2743 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2744
2745 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
2746 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
2747 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
2748 their breakpoint numbers.
2749
2750 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
2751 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2752 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2753
2754 @table @code
2755 @kindex clear
2756 @item clear
2757 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
2758 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
2759 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2760 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
2761
2762 @item clear @var{function}
2763 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2764 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2765
2766 @item clear @var{linenum}
2767 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2768 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2769
2770 @cindex delete breakpoints
2771 @kindex delete
2772 @kindex d
2773 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2774 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
2775 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
2776 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
2777 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2778 @end table
2779
2780 @node Disabling
2781 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
2782
2783 @kindex disable breakpoints
2784 @kindex enable breakpoints
2785 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
2786 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
2787 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
2788 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2789
2790 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
2791 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
2792 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2793 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
2794 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
2795
2796 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
2797 states of enablement:
2798
2799 @itemize @bullet
2800 @item
2801 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
2802 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2803 @item
2804 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
2805 @item
2806 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
2807 disabled.
2808 @item
2809 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
2810 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
2811 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
2812 @end itemize
2813
2814 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
2815 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
2816
2817 @table @code
2818 @kindex disable breakpoints
2819 @kindex disable
2820 @kindex dis
2821 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2822 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2823 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2824 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2825 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2826 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2827
2828 @kindex enable breakpoints
2829 @kindex enable
2830 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2831 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
2832 become effective once again in stopping your program.
2833
2834 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
2835 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
2836 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
2837
2838 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
2839 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
2840 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
2841 @end table
2842
2843 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
2844 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
2845 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
2846 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
2847 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
2848 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
2849 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
2850 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
2851 stepping}.)
2852
2853 @node Conditions
2854 @subsection Break conditions
2855 @cindex conditional breakpoints
2856 @cindex breakpoint conditions
2857
2858 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
2859 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
2860 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
2861 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
2862 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
2863 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
2864 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
2865 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
2866
2867 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
2868 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
2869 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
2870 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
2871 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
2872
2873 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
2874 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
2875 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
2876 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
2877 one.
2878
2879 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
2880 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
2881 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
2882 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
2883 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
2884 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
2885 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
2886 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
2887 conditions for the
2888 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
2889 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
2890
2891 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
2892 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
2893 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
2894 with the @code{condition} command.
2895
2896 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
2897 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
2898 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
2899 catchpoint.
2900
2901 @table @code
2902 @kindex condition
2903 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
2904 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
2905 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
2906 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
2907 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
2908 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
2909 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
2910 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
2911 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
2912 prints an error message:
2913
2914 @example
2915 No symbol "foo" in current context.
2916 @end example
2917
2918 @noindent
2919 @value{GDBN} does
2920 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
2921 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
2922 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
2923
2924 @item condition @var{bnum}
2925 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
2926 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
2927 @end table
2928
2929 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
2930 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
2931 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
2932 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
2933 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
2934 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
2935 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
2936 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
2937 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
2938 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
2939 your program reaches it.
2940
2941 @table @code
2942 @kindex ignore
2943 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
2944 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
2945 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
2946 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
2947 takes no action.
2948
2949 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
2950 a count of zero.
2951
2952 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
2953 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
2954 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
2955 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
2956
2957 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
2958 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
2959 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
2960
2961 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
2962 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
2963 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
2964 variables}.
2965 @end table
2966
2967 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
2968
2969
2970 @node Break Commands
2971 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
2972
2973 @cindex breakpoint commands
2974 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
2975 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
2976 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
2977 enable other breakpoints.
2978
2979 @table @code
2980 @kindex commands
2981 @kindex end
2982 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
2983 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
2984 @itemx end
2985 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
2986 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
2987 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
2988
2989 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
2990 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
2991
2992 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
2993 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
2994 recently encountered).
2995 @end table
2996
2997 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
2998 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
2999
3000 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3001 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3002 that resumes execution.
3003
3004 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3005 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3006 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3007 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3008 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3009
3010 @kindex silent
3011 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3012 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3013 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3014 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3015 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3016 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3017
3018 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3019 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3020 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3021
3022 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3023 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3024
3025 @example
3026 break foo if x>0
3027 commands
3028 silent
3029 printf "x is %d\n",x
3030 cont
3031 end
3032 @end example
3033
3034 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3035 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3036 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3037 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3038 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3039 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3040 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3041
3042 @example
3043 break 403
3044 commands
3045 silent
3046 set x = y + 4
3047 cont
3048 end
3049 @end example
3050
3051 @node Breakpoint Menus
3052 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3053 @cindex overloading
3054 @cindex symbol overloading
3055
3056 Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
3057 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3058 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3059 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3060 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3061 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3062 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3063 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3064 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3065 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3066 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3067 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3068 breakpoints.
3069
3070 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3071 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3072 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3073
3074 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3075 @smallexample
3076 @group
3077 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3078 [0] cancel
3079 [1] all
3080 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3081 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3082 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3083 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3084 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3085 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3086 > 2 4 6
3087 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3088 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3089 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3090 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3091 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3092 breakpoints.
3093 (@value{GDBP})
3094 @end group
3095 @end smallexample
3096
3097 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3098 @node Error in Breakpoints
3099 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3100 @c
3101 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3102 @c
3103 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3104 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3105 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3106 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3107
3108 @example
3109 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3110 The same program may be running in another process.
3111 @end example
3112
3113 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3114
3115 @enumerate
3116 @item
3117 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3118
3119 @item
3120 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3121 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3122 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3123 Then start your program again.
3124
3125 @item
3126 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3127 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3128 to nonsharable executables.
3129 @end enumerate
3130 @c @end ifclear
3131
3132 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3133 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3134
3135 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3136 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3137 @smallexample
3138 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3139 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3140 @end smallexample
3141
3142 @noindent
3143 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3144 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3145 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3146
3147 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3148 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3149
3150
3151 @node Continuing and Stepping
3152 @section Continuing and stepping
3153
3154 @cindex stepping
3155 @cindex continuing
3156 @cindex resuming execution
3157 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3158 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3159 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3160 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3161 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3162 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3163 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3164 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3165
3166 @table @code
3167 @kindex continue
3168 @kindex c
3169 @kindex fg
3170 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3171 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3172 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3173 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3174 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3175 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3176 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3177 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3178
3179 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3180 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3181 @code{continue} is ignored.
3182
3183 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3184 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3185 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3186 @code{continue}.
3187 @end table
3188
3189 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3190 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3191 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3192 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3193
3194 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3195 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3196 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3197 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3198 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3199 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3200
3201 @table @code
3202 @kindex step
3203 @kindex s
3204 @item step
3205 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3206 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3207 abbreviated @code{s}.
3208
3209 @quotation
3210 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3211 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3212 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3213 @c distinction here.
3214 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3215 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3216 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3217 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3218 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3219 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3220 below.
3221 @end quotation
3222
3223 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3224 source line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3225 switch statements, for loops, etc. @code{step} continues to stop if a
3226 function that has debugging information is called within the line.
3227 In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions called
3228 within the line.
3229
3230 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3231 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3232 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3233 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3234 was any debugging information about the routine.
3235
3236 @item step @var{count}
3237 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3238 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3239 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3240
3241 @kindex next
3242 @kindex n
3243 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3244 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3245 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3246 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3247 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3248 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3249 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3250
3251 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3252
3253
3254 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3255 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3256 @c
3257 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3258 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3259 @c function are executed without stopping.
3260
3261 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3262 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3263 switch statements, for loops, etc.
3264
3265 @kindex finish
3266 @item finish
3267 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3268 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3269
3270 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3271 ,Returning from a function}).
3272
3273 @kindex until
3274 @kindex u
3275 @item until
3276 @itemx u
3277 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3278 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3279 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3280 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3281 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3282 than the address of the jump.
3283
3284 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3285 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3286 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3287 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3288 through the next iteration.
3289
3290 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3291 stack frame.
3292
3293 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3294 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3295 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3296 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3297 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3298
3299 @example
3300 (@value{GDBP}) f
3301 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3302 206 expand_input();
3303 (@value{GDBP}) until
3304 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3305 @end example
3306
3307 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3308 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3309 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3310 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3311 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3312 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3313 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3314
3315 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3316 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3317 argument.
3318
3319 @item until @var{location}
3320 @itemx u @var{location}
3321 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3322 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3323 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3324 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
3325 and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
3326
3327 @kindex stepi
3328 @kindex si
3329 @item stepi
3330 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
3331 @itemx si
3332 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3333
3334 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3335 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3336 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3337 Display,, Automatic display}.
3338
3339 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3340
3341 @need 750
3342 @kindex nexti
3343 @kindex ni
3344 @item nexti
3345 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
3346 @itemx ni
3347 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3348 proceed until the function returns.
3349
3350 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3351 @end table
3352
3353 @node Signals
3354 @section Signals
3355 @cindex signals
3356
3357 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3358 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3359 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3360 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
3361 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3362 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3363 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3364 requested an alarm).
3365
3366 @cindex fatal signals
3367 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3368 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3369 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
3370 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3371 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3372 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3373
3374 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3375 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3376 signal.
3377
3378 @cindex handling signals
3379 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
3380 (so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of your program)
3381 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3382 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3383
3384 @table @code
3385 @kindex info signals
3386 @item info signals
3387 @itemx info handle
3388 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3389 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3390 the defined types of signals.
3391
3392 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
3393
3394 @kindex handle
3395 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3396 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can
3397 be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
3398 beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3399 @end table
3400
3401 @c @group
3402 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3403 Their full names are:
3404
3405 @table @code
3406 @item nostop
3407 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3408 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3409
3410 @item stop
3411 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3412 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3413
3414 @item print
3415 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3416
3417 @item noprint
3418 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3419 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3420
3421 @item pass
3422 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3423 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3424 and not handled.
3425
3426 @item nopass
3427 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3428 @end table
3429 @c @end group
3430
3431 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
3432 program until you
3433 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3434 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3435 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3436 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3437 program sees that signal when you continue.
3438
3439 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3440 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3441 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3442 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3443 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3444 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3445 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3446 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
3447 program a signal}.
3448
3449 @node Thread Stops
3450 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3451
3452 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3453 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3454 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3455
3456 @table @code
3457 @cindex breakpoints and threads
3458 @cindex thread breakpoints
3459 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3460 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3461 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
3462 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
3463 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3464
3465 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3466 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
3467 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3468 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3469 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
3470
3471 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3472 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3473 program.
3474
3475 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3476 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3477 breakpoint condition, like this:
3478
3479 @smallexample
3480 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3481 @end smallexample
3482
3483 @end table
3484
3485 @cindex stopped threads
3486 @cindex threads, stopped
3487 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3488 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3489 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3490 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3491 underfoot.
3492
3493 @cindex continuing threads
3494 @cindex threads, continuing
3495 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3496 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3497 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3498
3499 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
3500 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3501 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3502 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3503 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3504 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3505 stops.
3506
3507 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3508 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3509 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3510 first thread completes whatever you requested.
3511
3512 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
3513 thread to run.
3514
3515 @table @code
3516 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
3517 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
3518 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
3519 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
3520 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
3521 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
3522 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
3523 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
3524 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
3525 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
3526 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
3527 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
3528
3529 @item show scheduler-locking
3530 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
3531 @end table
3532
3533
3534 @node Stack
3535 @chapter Examining the Stack
3536
3537 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3538 stopped and how it got there.
3539
3540 @cindex call stack
3541 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
3542 is generated.
3543 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
3544 the arguments of the call,
3545 and the local variables of the function being called.
3546 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
3547 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
3548 stack}.
3549
3550 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3551 stack allow you to see all of this information.
3552
3553 @cindex selected frame
3554 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3555 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3556 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3557 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3558 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
3559 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3560
3561 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
3562 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
3563 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
3564
3565 @menu
3566 * Frames:: Stack frames
3567 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
3568 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
3569 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
3570
3571 @end menu
3572
3573 @node Frames
3574 @section Stack frames
3575
3576 @cindex frame, definition
3577 @cindex stack frame
3578 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3579 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3580 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3581 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3582 which the function is executing.
3583
3584 @cindex initial frame
3585 @cindex outermost frame
3586 @cindex innermost frame
3587 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3588 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3589 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3590 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3591 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3592 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3593 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3594 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3595
3596 @cindex frame pointer
3597 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3598 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
3599 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
3600 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3601 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3602 going on in that frame.
3603
3604 @cindex frame number
3605 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
3606 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3607 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
3608 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3609 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
3610
3611 @c below produces an acceptable overful hbox. --mew 13aug1993
3612 @cindex frameless execution
3613 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
3614 without stack frames. (For example, the @code{@value{GCC}} option
3615 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} generates functions without a frame.)
3616 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
3617 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3618 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
3619 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
3620 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3621 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3622 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
3623
3624 @table @code
3625 @kindex frame@r{, command}
3626 @item frame @var{args}
3627 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
3628 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
3629 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
3630 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
3631
3632 @kindex select-frame
3633 @item select-frame
3634 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
3635 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
3636 @code{frame}.
3637 @end table
3638
3639 @node Backtrace
3640 @section Backtraces
3641
3642 @cindex backtraces
3643 @cindex tracebacks
3644 @cindex stack traces
3645 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
3646 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3647 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3648 stack.
3649
3650 @table @code
3651 @kindex backtrace
3652 @kindex bt
3653 @item backtrace
3654 @itemx bt
3655 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3656 frames in the stack.
3657
3658 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3659 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3660
3661 @item backtrace @var{n}
3662 @itemx bt @var{n}
3663 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3664
3665 @item backtrace -@var{n}
3666 @itemx bt -@var{n}
3667 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3668 @end table
3669
3670 @kindex where
3671 @kindex info stack
3672 @kindex info s
3673 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3674 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3675
3676 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3677 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3678 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3679 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3680 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3681 line number.
3682
3683 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3684 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3685
3686 @smallexample
3687 @group
3688 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3689 at builtin.c:993
3690 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3691 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3692 at macro.c:71
3693 (More stack frames follow...)
3694 @end group
3695 @end smallexample
3696
3697 @noindent
3698 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3699 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
3700 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3701
3702 @node Selection
3703 @section Selecting a frame
3704
3705 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
3706 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3707 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3708 of the stack frame just selected.
3709
3710 @table @code
3711 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
3712 @kindex f
3713 @item frame @var{n}
3714 @itemx f @var{n}
3715 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3716 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
3717 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3718 @code{main}.
3719
3720 @item frame @var{addr}
3721 @itemx f @var{addr}
3722 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3723 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
3724 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
3725 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
3726 switches between them.
3727
3728 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
3729 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
3730
3731 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
3732 pointer and a program counter.
3733
3734 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
3735 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
3736 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
3737 @c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
3738 @c as of 27 Jan 1994.
3739
3740 @kindex up
3741 @item up @var{n}
3742 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3743 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3744 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3745
3746 @kindex down
3747 @kindex do
3748 @item down @var{n}
3749 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3750 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3751 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3752 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3753 @end table
3754
3755 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3756 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3757 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
3758 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
3759
3760 @need 1000
3761 For example:
3762
3763 @smallexample
3764 @group
3765 (@value{GDBP}) up
3766 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3767 at env.c:10
3768 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
3769 @end group
3770 @end smallexample
3771
3772 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
3773 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
3774 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
3775
3776 @table @code
3777 @kindex down-silently
3778 @kindex up-silently
3779 @item up-silently @var{n}
3780 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
3781 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3782 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3783 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
3784 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
3785 distracting.
3786 @end table
3787
3788 @node Frame Info
3789 @section Information about a frame
3790
3791 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
3792 stack frame.
3793
3794 @table @code
3795 @item frame
3796 @itemx f
3797 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
3798 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
3799 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
3800 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
3801 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3802
3803 @kindex info frame
3804 @kindex info f
3805 @item info frame
3806 @itemx info f
3807 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
3808 including:
3809
3810 @itemize @bullet
3811 @item
3812 the address of the frame
3813 @item
3814 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
3815 @item
3816 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
3817 @item
3818 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
3819 @item
3820 the address of the frame's arguments
3821 @item
3822 the address of the frame's local variables
3823 @item
3824 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
3825 @item
3826 which registers were saved in the frame
3827 @end itemize
3828
3829 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
3830 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
3831 the usual conventions.
3832
3833 @item info frame @var{addr}
3834 @itemx info f @var{addr}
3835 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
3836 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
3837 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
3838 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
3839 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3840
3841 @kindex info args
3842 @item info args
3843 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
3844
3845 @item info locals
3846 @kindex info locals
3847 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
3848 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
3849 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
3850
3851 @kindex info catch
3852 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
3853 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
3854 @item info catch
3855 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
3856 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
3857 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
3858 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
3859 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
3860
3861 @end table
3862
3863
3864 @node Source
3865 @chapter Examining Source Files
3866
3867 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
3868 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
3869 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
3870 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
3871 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
3872 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
3873 source files by explicit command.
3874
3875 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
3876 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
3877 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
3878
3879 @menu
3880 * List:: Printing source lines
3881 * Search:: Searching source files
3882 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
3883 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
3884 @end menu
3885
3886 @node List
3887 @section Printing source lines
3888
3889 @kindex list
3890 @kindex l
3891 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
3892 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
3893 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
3894
3895 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
3896
3897 @table @code
3898 @item list @var{linenum}
3899 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
3900 current source file.
3901
3902 @item list @var{function}
3903 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
3904 @var{function}.
3905
3906 @item list
3907 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
3908 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
3909 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
3910 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
3911 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
3912
3913 @item list -
3914 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
3915 @end table
3916
3917 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
3918 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
3919
3920 @table @code
3921 @kindex set listsize
3922 @item set listsize @var{count}
3923 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
3924 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
3925
3926 @kindex show listsize
3927 @item show listsize
3928 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
3929 @end table
3930
3931 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
3932 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
3933 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
3934 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
3935 each repetition moves up in the source file.
3936
3937 @cindex linespec
3938 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
3939 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
3940 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3941 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
3942
3943 @table @code
3944 @item list @var{linespec}
3945 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
3946
3947 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
3948 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
3949 linespecs.
3950
3951 @item list ,@var{last}
3952 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
3953
3954 @item list @var{first},
3955 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
3956
3957 @item list +
3958 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
3959
3960 @item list -
3961 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
3962
3963 @item list
3964 As described in the preceding table.
3965 @end table
3966
3967 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
3968 kinds of linespec.
3969
3970 @table @code
3971 @item @var{number}
3972 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
3973 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
3974 the same source file as the first linespec.
3975
3976 @item +@var{offset}
3977 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
3978 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
3979 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
3980 first linespec.
3981
3982 @item -@var{offset}
3983 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
3984
3985 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
3986 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
3987
3988 @item @var{function}
3989 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
3990 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
3991
3992 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
3993 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
3994 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
3995 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
3996 identically named functions in different source files.
3997
3998 @item *@var{address}
3999 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4000 @var{address} may be any expression.
4001 @end table
4002
4003 @node Search
4004 @section Searching source files
4005 @cindex searching
4006 @kindex reverse-search
4007
4008 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4009 regular expression.
4010
4011 @table @code
4012 @kindex search
4013 @kindex forward-search
4014 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4015 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4016 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4017 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4018 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4019 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4020 @code{fo}.
4021
4022 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4023 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4024 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4025 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4026 this command as @code{rev}.
4027 @end table
4028
4029 @node Source Path
4030 @section Specifying source directories
4031
4032 @cindex source path
4033 @cindex directories for source files
4034 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4035 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4036 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4037 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4038 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4039 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4040 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
4041 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
4042 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
4043 path.
4044
4045 If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
4046 object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
4047 too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
4048 compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
4049 last resort.
4050
4051 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4052 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4053 each line is in the file.
4054
4055 @kindex directory
4056 @kindex dir
4057 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
4058 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
4059 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4060
4061 @table @code
4062 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4063 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4064 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4065 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
4066 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
4067 part of absolute file names) or
4068 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4069 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4070
4071 @kindex cdir
4072 @kindex cwd
4073 @kindex $cdir
4074 @kindex $cwd
4075 @cindex compilation directory
4076 @cindex current directory
4077 @cindex working directory
4078 @cindex directory, current
4079 @cindex directory, compilation
4080 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4081 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4082 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4083 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4084 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4085 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4086
4087 @item directory
4088 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4089
4090 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4091 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4092
4093 @item show directories
4094 @kindex show directories
4095 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4096 @end table
4097
4098 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4099 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4100 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4101
4102 @enumerate
4103 @item
4104 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4105
4106 @item
4107 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4108 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4109 directories in one command.
4110 @end enumerate
4111
4112 @node Machine Code
4113 @section Source and machine code
4114
4115 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4116 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4117 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4118 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
4119 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4120 well as hex.
4121
4122 @table @code
4123 @kindex info line
4124 @item info line @var{linespec}
4125 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4126 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4127 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4128 source lines}).
4129 @end table
4130
4131 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4132 the object code for the first line of function
4133 @code{m4_changequote}:
4134
4135 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
4136 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
4137 @smallexample
4138 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
4139 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4140 @end smallexample
4141
4142 @noindent
4143 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4144 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4145 @smallexample
4146 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4147 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4148 @end smallexample
4149
4150 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4151 @kindex x@r{, and }@code{info line}
4152 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4153 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4154 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4155 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4156 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4157 variables}).
4158
4159 @table @code
4160 @kindex disassemble
4161 @cindex assembly instructions
4162 @cindex instructions, assembly
4163 @cindex machine instructions
4164 @cindex listing machine instructions
4165 @item disassemble
4166 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4167 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4168 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4169 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4170 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4171 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4172 @end table
4173
4174 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4175 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4176
4177 @smallexample
4178 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4179 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4180 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4181 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4182 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4183 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4184 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4185 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4186 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4187 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4188 End of assembler dump.
4189 @end smallexample
4190
4191 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
4192 mnemonics or other syntax.
4193
4194 @table @code
4195 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
4196 @cindex assembly instructions
4197 @cindex instructions, assembly
4198 @cindex machine instructions
4199 @cindex listing machine instructions
4200 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
4201 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
4202 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
4203 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
4204 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
4205
4206 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
4207 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
4208 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
4209 assemblers for x86-based targets.
4210 @end table
4211
4212
4213 @node Data
4214 @chapter Examining Data
4215
4216 @cindex printing data
4217 @cindex examining data
4218 @kindex print
4219 @kindex inspect
4220 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4221 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4222 @c different window or something like that.
4223 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4224 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
4225 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
4226 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
4227 Different Languages}).
4228
4229 @table @code
4230 @item print @var{expr}
4231 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
4232 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
4233 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
4234 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
4235 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
4236 formats}.
4237
4238 @item print
4239 @itemx print /@var{f}
4240 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
4241 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
4242 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
4243 @end table
4244
4245 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
4246 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
4247 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4248
4249 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
4250 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
4251 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
4252 Table}.
4253
4254 @menu
4255 * Expressions:: Expressions
4256 * Variables:: Program variables
4257 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
4258 * Output Formats:: Output formats
4259 * Memory:: Examining memory
4260 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
4261 * Print Settings:: Print settings
4262 * Value History:: Value history
4263 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
4264 * Registers:: Registers
4265 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
4266 @end menu
4267
4268 @node Expressions
4269 @section Expressions
4270
4271 @cindex expressions
4272 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
4273 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
4274 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
4275 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
4276 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
4277 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
4278
4279 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
4280 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
4281 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
4282 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
4283
4284 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
4285 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4286 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
4287 languages.
4288
4289 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
4290 expressions regardless of your programming language.
4291
4292 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
4293 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
4294 at that address in memory.
4295 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
4296
4297 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4298 to programming languages:
4299
4300 @table @code
4301 @item @@
4302 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
4303 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
4304
4305 @item ::
4306 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
4307 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
4308
4309 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
4310 @cindex type casting memory
4311 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4312 @cindex casts, to view memory
4313 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
4314 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4315 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4316 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4317 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
4318 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
4319 @end table
4320
4321 @node Variables
4322 @section Program variables
4323
4324 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4325 in your program.
4326
4327 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
4328 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4329
4330 @itemize @bullet
4331 @item
4332 global (or file-static)
4333 @end itemize
4334
4335 @noindent or
4336
4337 @itemize @bullet
4338 @item
4339 visible according to the scope rules of the
4340 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4341 @end itemize
4342
4343 @noindent This means that in the function
4344
4345 @example
4346 foo (a)
4347 int a;
4348 @{
4349 bar (a);
4350 @{
4351 int b = test ();
4352 bar (b);
4353 @}
4354 @}
4355 @end example
4356
4357 @noindent
4358 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4359 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4360 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4361 the block where @code{b} is declared.
4362
4363 @cindex variable name conflict
4364 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4365 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4366 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
4367 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4368 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4369 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4370 using the colon-colon notation:
4371
4372 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
4373 @iftex
4374 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
4375 @kindex ::
4376 @end iftex
4377 @example
4378 @var{file}::@var{variable}
4379 @var{function}::@var{variable}
4380 @end example
4381
4382 @noindent
4383 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
4384 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
4385 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
4386 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
4387
4388 @example
4389 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
4390 @end example
4391
4392 @cindex C++ scope resolution
4393 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
4394 use of the same notation in C++. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C++
4395 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
4396 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
4397 @c conflict?? --mew
4398
4399 @cindex wrong values
4400 @cindex variable values, wrong
4401 @quotation
4402 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
4403 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
4404 scope, and just before exit.
4405 @end quotation
4406 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
4407 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
4408 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
4409 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
4410 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
4411 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
4412 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
4413 variable definitions may be gone.
4414
4415 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
4416 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
4417 when compiling.
4418
4419 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
4420 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
4421 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
4422 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
4423 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
4424 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
4425 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
4426
4427 @example
4428 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4429 @end example
4430
4431 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
4432 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
4433 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C++ compiler usually
4434 supports the @samp{-gstabs} option. @samp{-gstabs} produces debug info
4435 in a format that is superior to formats such as COFF. You may be able
4436 to use DWARF-2 (@samp{-gdwarf-2}), which is also an effective form for
4437 debug info. See @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your
4438 Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more
4439 information.
4440
4441
4442 @node Arrays
4443 @section Artificial arrays
4444
4445 @cindex artificial array
4446 @kindex @@
4447 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
4448 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
4449 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
4450 program.
4451
4452 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
4453 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
4454 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
4455 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
4456 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
4457 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
4458 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
4459 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
4460 example. If a program says
4461
4462 @example
4463 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4464 @end example
4465
4466 @noindent
4467 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4468
4469 @example
4470 p *array@@len
4471 @end example
4472
4473 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4474 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4475 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4476 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
4477 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
4478
4479 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
4480 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
4481 The value need not be in memory:
4482 @example
4483 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
4484 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4485 @end example
4486
4487 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
4488 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
4489 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
4490 @example
4491 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
4492 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4493 @end example
4494
4495 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
4496 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
4497 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4498 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4499 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4500 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
4501 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4502 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4503 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4504 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4505
4506 @example
4507 set $i = 0
4508 p dtab[$i++]->fv
4509 @key{RET}
4510 @key{RET}
4511 @dots{}
4512 @end example
4513
4514 @node Output Formats
4515 @section Output formats
4516
4517 @cindex formatted output
4518 @cindex output formats
4519 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
4520 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4521 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4522 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4523 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4524
4525 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4526 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4527 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4528 letters supported are:
4529
4530 @table @code
4531 @item x
4532 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4533 hexadecimal.
4534
4535 @item d
4536 Print as integer in signed decimal.
4537
4538 @item u
4539 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4540
4541 @item o
4542 Print as integer in octal.
4543
4544 @item t
4545 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
4546 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4547 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4548 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
4549
4550 @item a
4551 @cindex unknown address, locating
4552 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
4553 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
4554 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
4555
4556 @example
4557 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4558 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
4559 @end example
4560
4561 @item c
4562 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4563
4564 @item f
4565 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4566 using typical floating point syntax.
4567 @end table
4568
4569 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4570
4571 @example
4572 p/x $pc
4573 @end example
4574
4575 @noindent
4576 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
4577 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
4578
4579 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4580 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4581 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4582
4583 @node Memory
4584 @section Examining memory
4585
4586 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4587 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4588
4589 @cindex examining memory
4590 @table @code
4591 @kindex x
4592 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4593 @itemx x @var{addr}
4594 @itemx x
4595 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
4596 @end table
4597
4598 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4599 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
4600 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4601 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4602 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
4603
4604 @table @r
4605 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
4606 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4607 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
4608 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4609 @c 4.1.2.
4610
4611 @item @var{f}, the display format
4612 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
4613 @samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4614 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
4615 The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
4616
4617 @item @var{u}, the unit size
4618 The unit size is any of
4619
4620 @table @code
4621 @item b
4622 Bytes.
4623 @item h
4624 Halfwords (two bytes).
4625 @item w
4626 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
4627 @item g
4628 Giant words (eight bytes).
4629 @end table
4630
4631 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4632 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4633 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4634
4635 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
4636 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
4637 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4638 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
4639 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
4640 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4641 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4642 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4643 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4644 a value from memory).
4645 @end table
4646
4647 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4648 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4649 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4650 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4651 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
4652
4653 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
4654 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
4655 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
4656 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
4657 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
4658
4659 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4660 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4661 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4662 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4663 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
4664 Code,,Source and machine code}.
4665
4666 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4667 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
4668 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
4669 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4670 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4671 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4672 for successive uses of @code{x}.
4673
4674 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
4675 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
4676 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
4677 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
4678 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4679 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4680 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4681 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4682 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4683
4684 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4685 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4686 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4687
4688 @node Auto Display
4689 @section Automatic display
4690 @cindex automatic display
4691 @cindex display of expressions
4692
4693 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4694 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
4695 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
4696 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4697 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4698 The automatic display looks like this:
4699
4700 @example
4701 2: foo = 38
4702 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4703 @end example
4704
4705 @noindent
4706 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
4707 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4708 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4709 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4710 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4711 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4712 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4713
4714 @table @code
4715 @kindex display
4716 @item display @var{expr}
4717 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
4718 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4719
4720 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
4721
4722 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
4723 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
4724 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
4725 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
4726 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
4727
4728 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
4729 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
4730 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
4731 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
4732 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4733 @end table
4734
4735 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
4736 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
4737 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
4738
4739 @table @code
4740 @kindex delete display
4741 @kindex undisplay
4742 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
4743 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4744 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
4745
4746 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
4747 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
4748
4749 @kindex disable display
4750 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4751 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
4752 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
4753 enabled again later.
4754
4755 @kindex enable display
4756 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4757 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
4758 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
4759
4760 @item display
4761 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
4762 done when your program stops.
4763
4764 @kindex info display
4765 @item info display
4766 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
4767 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
4768 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
4769 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
4770 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
4771 @end table
4772
4773 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
4774 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
4775 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
4776 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
4777 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
4778 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
4779 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
4780 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
4781 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
4782 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
4783
4784 @node Print Settings
4785 @section Print settings
4786
4787 @cindex format options
4788 @cindex print settings
4789 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
4790 and symbols are printed.
4791
4792 @noindent
4793 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
4794
4795 @table @code
4796 @kindex set print address
4797 @item set print address
4798 @itemx set print address on
4799 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
4800 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
4801 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
4802 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
4803 @code{set print address on}:
4804
4805 @smallexample
4806 @group
4807 (@value{GDBP}) f
4808 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
4809 at input.c:530
4810 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
4811 @end group
4812 @end smallexample
4813
4814 @item set print address off
4815 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
4816 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
4817
4818 @smallexample
4819 @group
4820 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
4821 (@value{GDBP}) f
4822 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
4823 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
4824 @end group
4825 @end smallexample
4826
4827 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
4828 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
4829 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
4830 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
4831
4832 @kindex show print address
4833 @item show print address
4834 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
4835 @end table
4836
4837 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
4838 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
4839 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
4840 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
4841 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
4842 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
4843 it prints a symbolic address:
4844
4845 @table @code
4846 @kindex set print symbol-filename
4847 @item set print symbol-filename on
4848 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
4849 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4850
4851 @item set print symbol-filename off
4852 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
4853 default.
4854
4855 @kindex show print symbol-filename
4856 @item show print symbol-filename
4857 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
4858 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4859 @end table
4860
4861 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
4862 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
4863 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
4864
4865 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
4866 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
4867
4868 @table @code
4869 @kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
4870 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
4871 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
4872 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
4873 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
4874 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
4875
4876 @kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
4877 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
4878 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
4879 symbolic address.
4880 @end table
4881
4882 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
4883 @cindex pointer, finding referent
4884 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
4885 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
4886 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
4887 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
4888 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
4889 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
4890
4891 @example
4892 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
4893 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
4894 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
4895 @end example
4896
4897 @quotation
4898 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
4899 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
4900 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
4901 @end quotation
4902
4903 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
4904
4905 @table @code
4906 @kindex set print array
4907 @item set print array
4908 @itemx set print array on
4909 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
4910 but uses more space. The default is off.
4911
4912 @item set print array off
4913 Return to compressed format for arrays.
4914
4915 @kindex show print array
4916 @item show print array
4917 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
4918 arrays.
4919
4920 @kindex set print elements
4921 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
4922 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
4923 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
4924 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
4925 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
4926 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
4927 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
4928
4929 @kindex show print elements
4930 @item show print elements
4931 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
4932 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
4933
4934 @kindex set print null-stop
4935 @item set print null-stop
4936 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
4937 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
4938 contain only short strings.
4939 The default is off.
4940
4941 @kindex set print pretty
4942 @item set print pretty on
4943 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
4944 per line, like this:
4945
4946 @smallexample
4947 @group
4948 $1 = @{
4949 next = 0x0,
4950 flags = @{
4951 sweet = 1,
4952 sour = 1
4953 @},
4954 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
4955 @}
4956 @end group
4957 @end smallexample
4958
4959 @item set print pretty off
4960 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
4961
4962 @smallexample
4963 @group
4964 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
4965 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
4966 @end group
4967 @end smallexample
4968
4969 @noindent
4970 This is the default format.
4971
4972 @kindex show print pretty
4973 @item show print pretty
4974 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
4975
4976 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
4977 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
4978 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
4979 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
4980 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
4981 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
4982 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
4983
4984 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
4985 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
4986 international character sets, and is the default.
4987
4988 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
4989 @item show print sevenbit-strings
4990 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
4991
4992 @kindex set print union
4993 @item set print union on
4994 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
4995 is the default setting.
4996
4997 @item set print union off
4998 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
4999
5000 @kindex show print union
5001 @item show print union
5002 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5003 structures.
5004
5005 For example, given the declarations
5006
5007 @smallexample
5008 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5009 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5010 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5011 Bug_forms;
5012
5013 struct thing @{
5014 Species it;
5015 union @{
5016 Tree_forms tree;
5017 Bug_forms bug;
5018 @} form;
5019 @};
5020
5021 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5022 @end smallexample
5023
5024 @noindent
5025 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5026
5027 @smallexample
5028 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5029 @end smallexample
5030
5031 @noindent
5032 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5033
5034 @smallexample
5035 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5036 @end smallexample
5037 @end table
5038
5039 @need 1000
5040 @noindent
5041 These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
5042
5043 @table @code
5044 @cindex demangling
5045 @kindex set print demangle
5046 @item set print demangle
5047 @itemx set print demangle on
5048 Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5049 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5050 linkage. The default is on.
5051
5052 @kindex show print demangle
5053 @item show print demangle
5054 Show whether C++ names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5055
5056 @kindex set print asm-demangle
5057 @item set print asm-demangle
5058 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5059 Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5060 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5061 The default is off.
5062
5063 @kindex show print asm-demangle
5064 @item show print asm-demangle
5065 Show whether C++ names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5066 or demangled form.
5067
5068 @kindex set demangle-style
5069 @cindex C++ symbol decoding style
5070 @cindex symbol decoding style, C++
5071 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5072 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5073 represent C++ names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5074
5075 @table @code
5076 @item auto
5077 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5078
5079 @item gnu
5080 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5081 This is the default.
5082
5083 @item hp
5084 Decode based on the HP ANSI C++ (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5085
5086 @item lucid
5087 Decode based on the Lucid C++ compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5088
5089 @item arm
5090 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C++ Annotated Reference Manual}.
5091 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5092 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5093 require further enhancement to permit that.
5094
5095 @end table
5096 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
5097
5098 @kindex show demangle-style
5099 @item show demangle-style
5100 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C++ symbols.
5101
5102 @kindex set print object
5103 @item set print object
5104 @itemx set print object on
5105 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5106 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5107 the virtual function table.
5108
5109 @item set print object off
5110 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5111 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5112
5113 @kindex show print object
5114 @item show print object
5115 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5116
5117 @kindex set print static-members
5118 @item set print static-members
5119 @itemx set print static-members on
5120 Print static members when displaying a C++ object. The default is on.
5121
5122 @item set print static-members off
5123 Do not print static members when displaying a C++ object.
5124
5125 @kindex show print static-members
5126 @item show print static-members
5127 Show whether C++ static members are printed, or not.
5128
5129 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5130 @kindex set print vtbl
5131 @item set print vtbl
5132 @itemx set print vtbl on
5133 Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
5134 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
5135 ANSI C++ compiler (@code{aCC}).)
5136
5137 @item set print vtbl off
5138 Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
5139
5140 @kindex show print vtbl
5141 @item show print vtbl
5142 Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
5143 @end table
5144
5145 @node Value History
5146 @section Value history
5147
5148 @cindex value history
5149 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
5150 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
5151 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
5152 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
5153 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
5154 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
5155 symbol table.
5156
5157 @cindex @code{$}
5158 @cindex @code{$$}
5159 @cindex history number
5160 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
5161 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
5162 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
5163 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
5164 history number.
5165
5166 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
5167 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
5168 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
5169 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
5170 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
5171 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
5172 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
5173
5174 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
5175 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
5176
5177 @example
5178 p *$
5179 @end example
5180
5181 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
5182 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
5183
5184 @example
5185 p *$.next
5186 @end example
5187
5188 @noindent
5189 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
5190 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
5191
5192 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
5193 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
5194
5195 @example
5196 print x
5197 set x=5
5198 @end example
5199
5200 @noindent
5201 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
5202 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
5203
5204 @table @code
5205 @kindex show values
5206 @item show values
5207 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
5208 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
5209 values} does not change the history.
5210
5211 @item show values @var{n}
5212 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
5213
5214 @item show values +
5215 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
5216 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
5217 @end table
5218
5219 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
5220 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
5221
5222 @node Convenience Vars
5223 @section Convenience variables
5224
5225 @cindex convenience variables
5226 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
5227 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
5228 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
5229 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
5230 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
5231
5232 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
5233 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
5234 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5235 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
5236 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
5237
5238 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
5239 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
5240 For example:
5241
5242 @example
5243 set $foo = *object_ptr
5244 @end example
5245
5246 @noindent
5247 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
5248 @code{object_ptr}.
5249
5250 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
5251 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
5252 value with another assignment at any time.
5253
5254 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
5255 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
5256 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
5257 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
5258
5259 @table @code
5260 @kindex show convenience
5261 @item show convenience
5262 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
5263 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
5264 @end table
5265
5266 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
5267 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
5268 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
5269
5270 @example
5271 set $i = 0
5272 print bar[$i++]->contents
5273 @end example
5274
5275 @noindent
5276 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
5277
5278 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
5279 values likely to be useful.
5280
5281 @table @code
5282 @kindex $_
5283 @item $_
5284 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
5285 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
5286 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
5287 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
5288 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
5289 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
5290 to the type of @code{$__}.
5291
5292 @kindex $__
5293 @item $__
5294 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
5295 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
5296 to match the format in which the data was printed.
5297
5298 @item $_exitcode
5299 @kindex $_exitcode
5300 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
5301 the program being debugged terminates.
5302 @end table
5303
5304 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
5305 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
5306 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
5307
5308 @node Registers
5309 @section Registers
5310
5311 @cindex registers
5312 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
5313 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
5314 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
5315 your machine.
5316
5317 @table @code
5318 @kindex info registers
5319 @item info registers
5320 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
5321 registers (in the selected stack frame).
5322
5323 @kindex info all-registers
5324 @cindex floating point registers
5325 @item info all-registers
5326 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
5327 registers.
5328
5329 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
5330 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5331 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5332 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5333 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
5334 @end table
5335
5336 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
5337 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
5338 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5339 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5340 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5341 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5342 register that contains the processor status. For example,
5343 you could print the program counter in hex with
5344
5345 @example
5346 p/x $pc
5347 @end example
5348
5349 @noindent
5350 or print the instruction to be executed next with
5351
5352 @example
5353 x/i $pc
5354 @end example
5355
5356 @noindent
5357 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
5358 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5359 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5360 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5361 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5362 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
5363 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
5364
5365 @example
5366 set $sp += 4
5367 @end example
5368
5369 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5370 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5371 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5372 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
5373 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5374 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
5375 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
5376
5377 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
5378 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5379 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5380 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5381 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5382 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5383 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5384
5385 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5386 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5387 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5388 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5389 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5390 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
5391 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5392 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
5393 prints the data in both formats.
5394
5395 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
5396 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
5397 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
5398 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
5399 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
5400 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
5401
5402 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
5403 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
5404 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
5405 frame makes no difference.
5406
5407 @node Floating Point Hardware
5408 @section Floating point hardware
5409 @cindex floating point
5410
5411 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
5412 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
5413
5414 @table @code
5415 @kindex info float
5416 @item info float
5417 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
5418 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
5419 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
5420 the ARM and x86 machines.
5421 @end table
5422
5423 @node Languages
5424 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
5425 @cindex languages
5426
5427 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
5428 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
5429 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
5430 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
5431 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
5432 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
5433
5434 @cindex working language
5435 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
5436 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
5437 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
5438 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
5439 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
5440 language}.
5441
5442 @menu
5443 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
5444 * Show:: Displaying the language
5445 * Checks:: Type and range checks
5446 * Support:: Supported languages
5447 @end menu
5448
5449 @node Setting
5450 @section Switching between source languages
5451
5452 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
5453 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
5454 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
5455 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
5456 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
5457 are printed, etc.
5458
5459 In addition to the working language, every source file that
5460 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
5461 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
5462 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
5463 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
5464 controls whether C++ names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
5465 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
5466 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
5467 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
5468 Displaying the language}.
5469
5470 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
5471 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
5472 another language. In that case, make the
5473 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
5474 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
5475 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
5476
5477 @menu
5478 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
5479 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
5480 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
5481 @end menu
5482
5483 @node Filenames
5484 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
5485
5486 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
5487 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
5488
5489 @table @file
5490
5491 @item .c
5492 C source file
5493
5494 @item .C
5495 @itemx .cc
5496 @itemx .cp
5497 @itemx .cpp
5498 @itemx .cxx
5499 @itemx .c++
5500 C++ source file
5501
5502 @item .f
5503 @itemx .F
5504 Fortran source file
5505
5506 @item .ch
5507 @itemx .c186
5508 @itemx .c286
5509 CHILL source file
5510
5511 @item .mod
5512 Modula-2 source file
5513
5514 @item .s
5515 @itemx .S
5516 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
5517 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
5518 @end table
5519
5520 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
5521 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
5522
5523 @node Manually
5524 @subsection Setting the working language
5525
5526 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
5527 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
5528 your program.
5529
5530 @kindex set language
5531 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
5532 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
5533 a language, such as
5534 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
5535 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
5536
5537 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
5538 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
5539 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
5540 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
5541 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
5542 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
5543 command such as:
5544
5545 @example
5546 print a = b + c
5547 @end example
5548
5549 @noindent
5550 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
5551 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
5552 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
5553 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
5554
5555 @node Automatically
5556 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
5557
5558 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
5559 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
5560 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
5561 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
5562 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
5563 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
5564 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
5565 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
5566 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
5567
5568 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
5569 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
5570 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
5571 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
5572 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
5573
5574 @node Show
5575 @section Displaying the language
5576
5577 The following commands help you find out which language is the
5578 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
5579
5580 @kindex show language
5581 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
5582 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
5583 @table @code
5584 @item show language
5585 Display the current working language. This is the
5586 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
5587 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
5588
5589 @item info frame
5590 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
5591 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
5592 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
5593 information listed here.
5594
5595 @item info source
5596 Display the source language of this source file.
5597 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
5598 information listed here.
5599 @end table
5600
5601 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
5602 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
5603 with a language explicitly:
5604
5605 @kindex set extension-language
5606 @kindex info extensions
5607 @table @code
5608 @item set extension-language @var{.ext} @var{language}
5609 Set source files with extension @var{.ext} to be assumed to be in
5610 the source language @var{language}.
5611
5612 @item info extensions
5613 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
5614 @end table
5615
5616 @node Checks
5617 @section Type and range checking
5618
5619 @quotation
5620 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
5621 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
5622 section documents the intended facilities.
5623 @end quotation
5624 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
5625
5626 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
5627 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
5628 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
5629 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
5630 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
5631 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
5632 errors when your program is running.
5633
5634 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
5635 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
5636 can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
5637 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
5638 @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
5639 your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
5640 for the default settings of supported languages.
5641
5642 @menu
5643 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
5644 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
5645 @end menu
5646
5647 @cindex type checking
5648 @cindex checks, type
5649 @node Type Checking
5650 @subsection An overview of type checking
5651
5652 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
5653 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
5654 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
5655 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
5656
5657 @smallexample
5658 1 + 2 @result{} 3
5659 @exdent but
5660 @error{} 1 + 2.3
5661 @end smallexample
5662
5663 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
5664 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
5665
5666 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
5667 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
5668 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
5669 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
5670 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
5671 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
5672 also issues a warning.
5673
5674 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
5675 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
5676 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
5677 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
5678 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
5679 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
5680
5681 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
5682 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
5683 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
5684 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
5685 operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
5686 details on specific languages.
5687
5688 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
5689
5690 @kindex set check@r{, type}
5691 @kindex set check type
5692 @kindex show check type
5693 @table @code
5694 @item set check type auto
5695 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
5696 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
5697 each language.
5698
5699 @item set check type on
5700 @itemx set check type off
5701 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5702 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
5703 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
5704 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
5705 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
5706
5707 @item set check type warn
5708 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
5709 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
5710 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
5711 numbers and structures.
5712
5713 @item show type
5714 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
5715 is setting it automatically.
5716 @end table
5717
5718 @cindex range checking
5719 @cindex checks, range
5720 @node Range Checking
5721 @subsection An overview of range checking
5722
5723 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
5724 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
5725 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
5726 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
5727 not exceed the bounds of the array.
5728
5729 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
5730 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
5731 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
5732 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
5733
5734 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
5735 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
5736 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
5737 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
5738 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
5739 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
5740
5741 @example
5742 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
5743 @end example
5744
5745 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
5746 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
5747 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
5748
5749 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
5750
5751 @kindex set check@r{, range}
5752 @kindex set check range
5753 @kindex show check range
5754 @table @code
5755 @item set check range auto
5756 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
5757 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
5758 each language.
5759
5760 @item set check range on
5761 @itemx set check range off
5762 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5763 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
5764 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
5765 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
5766
5767 @item set check range warn
5768 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
5769 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
5770 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
5771 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
5772 systems).
5773
5774 @item show range
5775 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
5776 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
5777 @end table
5778
5779 @node Support
5780 @section Supported languages
5781
5782 @value{GDBN} supports C, C++, Fortran, Java, Chill, assembly, and Modula-2.
5783 @c This is false ...
5784 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
5785 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
5786 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
5787 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
5788 language.
5789
5790 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
5791 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
5792 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
5793 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
5794 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
5795 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
5796 language reference or tutorial.
5797
5798 @menu
5799 * C:: C and C++
5800 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
5801 * Chill:: Chill
5802 @end menu
5803
5804 @node C
5805 @subsection C and C++
5806
5807 @cindex C and C++
5808 @cindex expressions in C or C++
5809
5810 Since C and C++ are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
5811 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
5812 together.
5813
5814 @cindex C++
5815 @kindex g++
5816 @cindex @sc{gnu} C++
5817 The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C++
5818 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C++ code
5819 effectively, you must compile your C++ programs with a supported
5820 C++ compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C++
5821 compiler (@code{aCC}).
5822
5823 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C++, use the stabs debugging
5824 format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
5825 command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
5826 @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
5827 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
5828
5829 @menu
5830 * C Operators:: C and C++ operators
5831 * C Constants:: C and C++ constants
5832 * C plus plus expressions:: C++ expressions
5833 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
5834 * C Checks:: C and C++ type and range checks
5835 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
5836 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C++
5837 @end menu
5838
5839 @node C Operators
5840 @subsubsection C and C++ operators
5841
5842 @cindex C and C++ operators
5843
5844 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
5845 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
5846 often defined on groups of types.
5847
5848 For the purposes of C and C++, the following definitions hold:
5849
5850 @itemize @bullet
5851
5852 @item
5853 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
5854 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C++, @code{bool}.
5855
5856 @item
5857 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
5858 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
5859
5860 @item
5861 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
5862
5863 @item
5864 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
5865
5866 @end itemize
5867
5868 @noindent
5869 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
5870 in order of increasing precedence:
5871
5872 @table @code
5873 @item ,
5874 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
5875 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
5876 expression being the last expression evaluated.
5877
5878 @item =
5879 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
5880 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
5881
5882 @item @var{op}=
5883 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
5884 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
5885 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
5886 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
5887 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
5888
5889 @item ?:
5890 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
5891 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
5892 integral type.
5893
5894 @item ||
5895 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
5896
5897 @item &&
5898 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
5899
5900 @item |
5901 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
5902
5903 @item ^
5904 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
5905
5906 @item &
5907 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
5908
5909 @item ==@r{, }!=
5910 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
5911 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
5912
5913 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
5914 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
5915 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
5916 and non-zero for true.
5917
5918 @item <<@r{, }>>
5919 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
5920
5921 @item @@
5922 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
5923
5924 @item +@r{, }-
5925 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
5926 pointer types.
5927
5928 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
5929 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
5930 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
5931 integral types.
5932
5933 @item ++@r{, }--
5934 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
5935 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
5936 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
5937 operation takes place.
5938
5939 @item *
5940 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
5941 @code{++}.
5942
5943 @item &
5944 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
5945
5946 For debugging C++, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
5947 allowed in the C++ language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
5948 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
5949 where a C++ reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
5950 stored.
5951
5952 @item -
5953 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
5954 precedence as @code{++}.
5955
5956 @item !
5957 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5958 @code{++}.
5959
5960 @item ~
5961 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5962 @code{++}.
5963
5964
5965 @item .@r{, }->
5966 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
5967 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
5968 pointer based on the stored type information.
5969 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
5970
5971 @item .*@r{, }->*
5972 Dereferences of pointers to members.
5973
5974 @item []
5975 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
5976 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
5977
5978 @item ()
5979 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
5980
5981 @item ::
5982 C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
5983 and @code{class} types.
5984
5985 @item ::
5986 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
5987 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
5988 above.
5989 @end table
5990
5991 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
5992 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
5993 predefined meaning.
5994
5995 @menu
5996 * C Constants::
5997 @end menu
5998
5999 @node C Constants
6000 @subsubsection C and C++ constants
6001
6002 @cindex C and C++ constants
6003
6004 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
6005 following ways:
6006
6007 @itemize @bullet
6008 @item
6009 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
6010 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
6011 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
6012 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
6013 @code{long} value.
6014
6015 @item
6016 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
6017 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
6018 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
6019 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
6020 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
6021 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
6022 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
6023 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
6024 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
6025 constant.
6026
6027 @item
6028 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
6029 integral equivalents.
6030
6031 @item
6032 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
6033 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
6034 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
6035 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
6036 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
6037 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
6038 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
6039 @samp{\n} for newline.
6040
6041 @item
6042 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
6043 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
6044 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
6045 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
6046 characters.
6047
6048 @item
6049 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
6050 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
6051
6052 @item
6053 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
6054 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
6055 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
6056 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
6057 @end itemize
6058
6059 @menu
6060 * C plus plus expressions::
6061 * C Defaults::
6062 * C Checks::
6063
6064 * Debugging C::
6065 @end menu
6066
6067 @node C plus plus expressions
6068 @subsubsection C++ expressions
6069
6070 @cindex expressions in C++
6071 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C++ expressions.
6072
6073 @cindex C++ support, not in @sc{coff}
6074 @cindex @sc{coff} versus C++
6075 @cindex C++ and object formats
6076 @cindex object formats and C++
6077 @cindex a.out and C++
6078 @cindex @sc{ecoff} and C++
6079 @cindex @sc{xcoff} and C++
6080 @cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C++
6081 @cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C++
6082 @c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
6083 @c periodically whether this has happened...
6084 @quotation
6085 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C++ code if you use the
6086 proper compiler. Typically, C++ debugging depends on the use of
6087 additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
6088 special support. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out, MIPS
6089 @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions to the
6090 symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
6091 you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
6092 extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
6093 @sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C++
6094 support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
6095 @end quotation
6096
6097 @enumerate
6098
6099 @cindex member functions
6100 @item
6101 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
6102
6103 @example
6104 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
6105 @end example
6106
6107 @kindex this
6108 @cindex namespace in C++
6109 @item
6110 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
6111 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
6112 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
6113 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
6114
6115 @cindex call overloaded functions
6116 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
6117 @cindex type conversions in C++
6118 @item
6119 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
6120 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
6121 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
6122 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
6123 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
6124 default arguments.
6125
6126 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
6127 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
6128 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
6129 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
6130 number of function arguments.
6131
6132 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
6133 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
6134 ,@value{GDBN} features for C++}.
6135
6136 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
6137 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
6138 @smallexample
6139 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
6140 @end smallexample
6141
6142 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
6143 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
6144
6145 @cindex reference declarations
6146 @item
6147 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use
6148 them in expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
6149 dereferenced.
6150
6151 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
6152 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
6153 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
6154 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
6155 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
6156
6157 @item
6158 @value{GDBN} supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
6159 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
6160 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
6161 necessary, for example in an expression like
6162 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
6163 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
6164 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
6165 @end enumerate
6166
6167 In addition, when used with HP's C++ compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
6168 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
6169 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
6170 invoking user-defined operators.
6171
6172 @node C Defaults
6173 @subsubsection C and C++ defaults
6174
6175 @cindex C and C++ defaults
6176
6177 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
6178 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
6179 C or C++. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
6180 selects the working language.
6181
6182 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
6183 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
6184 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
6185 these files, it sets the working language to C or C++.
6186 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
6187 for further details.
6188
6189 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
6190 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
6191 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
6192
6193 @node C Checks
6194 @subsubsection C and C++ type and range checks
6195
6196 @cindex C and C++ checks
6197
6198 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
6199 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
6200 considers two variables type equivalent if:
6201
6202 @itemize @bullet
6203 @item
6204 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
6205 enumerated tag.
6206
6207 @item
6208 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
6209 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
6210
6211 @ignore
6212 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
6213 @c FIXME--beers?
6214 @item
6215 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
6216 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
6217 compilers.)
6218 @end ignore
6219 @end itemize
6220
6221 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
6222 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
6223 that is not itself an array.
6224
6225 @node Debugging C
6226 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
6227
6228 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
6229 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
6230 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
6231 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
6232
6233 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
6234 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
6235 ,Expressions}.
6236
6237 @menu
6238 * Debugging C plus plus::
6239 @end menu
6240
6241 @node Debugging C plus plus
6242 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C++
6243
6244 @cindex commands for C++
6245
6246 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
6247 designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
6248
6249 @table @code
6250 @cindex break in overloaded functions
6251 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
6252 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
6253 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
6254 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
6255
6256 @cindex overloading in C++
6257 @item rbreak @var{regex}
6258 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
6259 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
6260 classes.
6261 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
6262
6263 @cindex C++ exception handling
6264 @item catch throw
6265 @itemx catch catch
6266 Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
6267 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
6268
6269 @cindex inheritance
6270 @item ptype @var{typename}
6271 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
6272 @var{typename}.
6273 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
6274
6275 @cindex C++ symbol display
6276 @item set print demangle
6277 @itemx show print demangle
6278 @itemx set print asm-demangle
6279 @itemx show print asm-demangle
6280 Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
6281 displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
6282 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
6283
6284 @item set print object
6285 @itemx show print object
6286 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
6287 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
6288
6289 @item set print vtbl
6290 @itemx show print vtbl
6291 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
6292 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
6293 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
6294 ANSI C++ compiler (@code{aCC}).)
6295
6296 @kindex set overload-resolution
6297 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
6298 @item set overload-resolution on
6299 Enable overload resolution for C++ expression evaluation. The default
6300 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
6301 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
6302 using the standard C++ conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C++
6303 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
6304 message.
6305
6306 @item set overload-resolution off
6307 Disable overload resolution for C++ expression evaluation. For
6308 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
6309 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
6310 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
6311 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
6312 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
6313 argument types.
6314
6315 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
6316 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
6317 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C++: type
6318 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
6319 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
6320 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
6321 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
6322 @end table
6323
6324 @node Modula-2
6325 @subsection Modula-2
6326
6327 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
6328
6329 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
6330 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
6331 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
6332 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
6333 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
6334 table.
6335
6336 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
6337 @menu
6338 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
6339 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
6340 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
6341 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
6342 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
6343 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
6344 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
6345 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
6346 @end menu
6347
6348 @node M2 Operators
6349 @subsubsection Operators
6350 @cindex Modula-2 operators
6351
6352 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
6353 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
6354 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
6355 following definitions hold:
6356
6357 @itemize @bullet
6358
6359 @item
6360 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
6361 their subranges.
6362
6363 @item
6364 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
6365
6366 @item
6367 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
6368
6369 @item
6370 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
6371 @var{type}}.
6372
6373 @item
6374 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
6375
6376 @item
6377 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
6378
6379 @item
6380 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
6381 @end itemize
6382
6383 @noindent
6384 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
6385 increasing precedence:
6386
6387 @table @code
6388 @item ,
6389 Function argument or array index separator.
6390
6391 @item :=
6392 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
6393 @var{value}.
6394
6395 @item <@r{, }>
6396 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
6397 types.
6398
6399 @item <=@r{, }>=
6400 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
6401 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
6402 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
6403
6404 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
6405 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
6406 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
6407 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
6408 comment character.
6409
6410 @item IN
6411 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
6412 Same precedence as @code{<}.
6413
6414 @item OR
6415 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
6416
6417 @item AND@r{, }&
6418 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
6419
6420 @item @@
6421 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
6422
6423 @item +@r{, }-
6424 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
6425 and difference on set types.
6426
6427 @item *
6428 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
6429 on set types.
6430
6431 @item /
6432 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
6433 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
6434
6435 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
6436 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
6437 precedence as @code{*}.
6438
6439 @item -
6440 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
6441
6442 @item ^
6443 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
6444
6445 @item NOT
6446 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
6447 @code{^}.
6448
6449 @item .
6450 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
6451 precedence as @code{^}.
6452
6453 @item []
6454 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
6455
6456 @item ()
6457 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
6458 as @code{^}.
6459
6460 @item ::@r{, }.
6461 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
6462 @end table
6463
6464 @quotation
6465 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
6466 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
6467 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
6468 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
6469 @end quotation
6470
6471 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
6472 @node Built-In Func/Proc
6473 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
6474
6475 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
6476 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
6477
6478 @table @var
6479
6480 @item a
6481 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
6482
6483 @item c
6484 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
6485
6486 @item i
6487 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
6488
6489 @item m
6490 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
6491 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
6492 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
6493
6494 @item n
6495 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
6496
6497 @item r
6498 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
6499
6500 @item t
6501 represents a type.
6502
6503 @item v
6504 represents a variable.
6505
6506 @item x
6507 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
6508 explanation of the function for details.
6509 @end table
6510
6511 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
6512
6513 @table @code
6514 @item ABS(@var{n})
6515 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
6516
6517 @item CAP(@var{c})
6518 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
6519 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
6520
6521 @item CHR(@var{i})
6522 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
6523
6524 @item DEC(@var{v})
6525 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
6526
6527 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
6528 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
6529 new value.
6530
6531 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
6532 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
6533 set.
6534
6535 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
6536 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
6537
6538 @item HIGH(@var{a})
6539 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
6540
6541 @item INC(@var{v})
6542 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
6543
6544 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
6545 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
6546 new value.
6547
6548 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
6549 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
6550 there. Returns the new set.
6551
6552 @item MAX(@var{t})
6553 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
6554
6555 @item MIN(@var{t})
6556 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
6557
6558 @item ODD(@var{i})
6559 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
6560
6561 @item ORD(@var{x})
6562 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
6563 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
6564 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
6565 integral, character and enumerated types.
6566
6567 @item SIZE(@var{x})
6568 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
6569
6570 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
6571 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
6572
6573 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
6574 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
6575 @end table
6576
6577 @quotation
6578 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
6579 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
6580 an error.
6581 @end quotation
6582
6583 @cindex Modula-2 constants
6584 @node M2 Constants
6585 @subsubsection Constants
6586
6587 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
6588 ways:
6589
6590 @itemize @bullet
6591
6592 @item
6593 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
6594 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
6595 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
6596 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
6597
6598 @item
6599 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
6600 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
6601 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
6602 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
6603 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
6604 digits.
6605
6606 @item
6607 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
6608 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
6609 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
6610 followed by a @samp{C}.
6611
6612 @item
6613 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
6614 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
6615 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
6616 Constants, ,C and C++ constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
6617 sequences.
6618
6619 @item
6620 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
6621
6622 @item
6623 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
6624 @code{FALSE}.
6625
6626 @item
6627 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
6628
6629 @item
6630 Set constants are not yet supported.
6631 @end itemize
6632
6633 @node M2 Defaults
6634 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
6635 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
6636
6637 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
6638 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
6639 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
6640 selected the working language.
6641
6642 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
6643 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
6644 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
6645 the language automatically}, for further details.
6646
6647 @node Deviations
6648 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
6649 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
6650
6651 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
6652 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
6653
6654 @itemize @bullet
6655 @item
6656 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
6657 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
6658 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
6659 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
6660 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
6661 returned a pointer.)
6662
6663 @item
6664 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
6665 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
6666 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
6667 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
6668
6669 @item
6670 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
6671 argument.
6672
6673 @item
6674 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
6675 @end itemize
6676
6677 @node M2 Checks
6678 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
6679 @cindex Modula-2 checks
6680
6681 @quotation
6682 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
6683 range checking.
6684 @end quotation
6685 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
6686
6687 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
6688
6689 @itemize @bullet
6690 @item
6691 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
6692 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
6693
6694 @item
6695 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
6696 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
6697 @end itemize
6698
6699 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
6700 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
6701
6702 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
6703 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
6704
6705 @node M2 Scope
6706 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
6707 @cindex scope
6708 @kindex .
6709 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
6710 @ifinfo
6711 @kindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
6712 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
6713 @end ifinfo
6714 @iftex
6715 @kindex ::
6716 @end iftex
6717
6718 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
6719 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
6720 similar syntax:
6721
6722 @example
6723
6724 @var{module} . @var{id}
6725 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
6726 @end example
6727
6728 @noindent
6729 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
6730 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
6731 identifier within your program, except another module.
6732
6733 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
6734 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
6735 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
6736 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
6737
6738 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
6739 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
6740 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
6741 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
6742 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
6743 @var{module}.
6744
6745 @node GDB/M2
6746 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
6747
6748 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
6749 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
6750 specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
6751 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
6752 apply to C++, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
6753 analogue in Modula-2.
6754
6755 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
6756 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
6757 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
6758 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
6759 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
6760 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
6761
6762 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
6763 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
6764 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
6765
6766 @node Chill
6767 @subsection Chill
6768
6769 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Chill only support output
6770 from the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler. Other Chill compilers are not currently
6771 supported, and attempting to debug executables produced by them is most
6772 likely to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
6773 table.
6774
6775 @c This used to say "... following Chill related topics ...", but since
6776 @c menus are not shown in the printed manual, it would look awkward.
6777 This section covers the Chill related topics and the features
6778 of @value{GDBN} which support these topics.
6779
6780 @menu
6781 * How modes are displayed:: How modes are displayed
6782 * Locations:: Locations and their accesses
6783 * Values and their Operations:: Values and their Operations
6784 * Chill type and range checks::
6785 * Chill defaults::
6786 @end menu
6787
6788 @node How modes are displayed
6789 @subsubsection How modes are displayed
6790
6791 The Chill Datatype- (Mode) support of @value{GDBN} is directly related
6792 with the functionality of the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler, and therefore deviates
6793 slightly from the standard specification of the Chill language. The
6794 provided modes are:
6795
6796 @c FIXME: this @table's contents effectively disable @code by using @r
6797 @c on every @item. So why does it need @code?
6798 @table @code
6799 @item @r{@emph{Discrete modes:}}
6800 @itemize @bullet
6801 @item
6802 @emph{Integer Modes} which are predefined by @code{BYTE, UBYTE, INT,
6803 UINT, LONG, ULONG},
6804 @item
6805 @emph{Boolean Mode} which is predefined by @code{BOOL},
6806 @item
6807 @emph{Character Mode} which is predefined by @code{CHAR},
6808 @item
6809 @emph{Set Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{SET}.
6810 @smallexample
6811 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
6812 type = SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
6813 @end smallexample
6814 If the type is an unnumbered set the set element values are omitted.
6815 @item
6816 @emph{Range Mode} which is displayed by @code{type = <basemode>
6817 (<lower bound> : <upper bound>)}, where @code{<lower bound>, <upper
6818 bound>} can be of any discrete literal expression (e.g. set element
6819 names).
6820 @end itemize
6821
6822 @item @r{@emph{Powerset Mode:}}
6823 A Powerset Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{POWERSET} followed by
6824 the member mode of the powerset. The member mode can be any discrete mode.
6825 @smallexample
6826 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
6827 type = POWERSET SET (egon, hugo, otto)
6828 @end smallexample
6829
6830 @item @r{@emph{Reference Modes:}}
6831 @itemize @bullet
6832 @item
6833 @emph{Bound Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{REF}
6834 followed by the mode name to which the reference is bound.
6835 @item
6836 @emph{Free Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{PTR}.
6837 @end itemize
6838
6839 @item @r{@emph{Procedure mode}}
6840 The procedure mode is displayed by @code{type = PROC(<parameter list>)
6841 <return mode> EXCEPTIONS (<exception list>)}. The @code{<parameter
6842 list>} is a list of the parameter modes. @code{<return mode>} indicates
6843 the mode of the result of the procedure if any. The exceptionlist lists
6844 all possible exceptions which can be raised by the procedure.
6845
6846 @ignore
6847 @item @r{@emph{Instance mode}}
6848 The instance mode is represented by a structure, which has a static
6849 type, and is therefore not really of interest.
6850 @end ignore
6851
6852 @item @r{@emph{Synchronization Modes:}}
6853 @itemize @bullet
6854 @item
6855 @emph{Event Mode} which is displayed by @code{EVENT (<event length>)},
6856 where @code{(<event length>)} is optional.
6857 @item
6858 @emph{Buffer Mode} which is displayed by @code{BUFFER (<buffer length>)
6859 <buffer element mode>}, where @code{(<buffer length>)} is optional.
6860 @end itemize
6861
6862 @item @r{@emph{Timing Modes:}}
6863 @itemize @bullet
6864 @item
6865 @emph{Duration Mode} which is predefined by @code{DURATION}
6866 @item
6867 @emph{Absolute Time Mode} which is predefined by @code{TIME}
6868 @end itemize
6869
6870 @item @r{@emph{Real Modes:}}
6871 Real Modes are predefined with @code{REAL} and @code{LONG_REAL}.
6872
6873 @item @r{@emph{String Modes:}}
6874 @itemize @bullet
6875 @item
6876 @emph{Character String Mode} which is displayed by @code{CHARS(<string
6877 length>)}, followed by the keyword @code{VARYING} if the String Mode is
6878 a varying mode
6879 @item
6880 @emph{Bit String Mode} which is displayed by @code{BOOLS(<string
6881 length>)}.
6882 @end itemize
6883
6884 @item @r{@emph{Array Mode:}}
6885 The Array Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{ARRAY(<range>)}
6886 followed by the element mode (which may in turn be an array mode).
6887 @smallexample
6888 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
6889 type = ARRAY (1:42)
6890 ARRAY (1:20)
6891 SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
6892 @end smallexample
6893
6894 @item @r{@emph{Structure Mode}}
6895 The Structure mode is displayed by the keyword @code{STRUCT(<field
6896 list>)}. The @code{<field list>} consists of names and modes of fields
6897 of the structure. Variant structures have the keyword @code{CASE <field>
6898 OF <variant fields> ESAC} in their field list. Since the current version
6899 of the GNU Chill compiler doesn't implement tag processing (no runtime
6900 checks of variant fields, and therefore no debugging info), the output
6901 always displays all variant fields.
6902 @smallexample
6903 (@value{GDBP}) ptype str
6904 type = STRUCT (
6905 as x,
6906 bs x,
6907 CASE bs OF
6908 (karli):
6909 cs a
6910 (ott):
6911 ds x
6912 ESAC
6913 )
6914 @end smallexample
6915 @end table
6916
6917 @node Locations
6918 @subsubsection Locations and their accesses
6919
6920 A location in Chill is an object which can contain values.
6921
6922 A value of a location is generally accessed by the (declared) name of
6923 the location. The output conforms to the specification of values in
6924 Chill programs. How values are specified
6925 is the topic of the next section, @ref{Values and their Operations}.
6926
6927 The pseudo-location @code{RESULT} (or @code{result}) can be used to
6928 display or change the result of a currently-active procedure:
6929
6930 @smallexample
6931 set result := EXPR
6932 @end smallexample
6933
6934 @noindent
6935 This does the same as the Chill action @code{RESULT EXPR} (which
6936 is not available in @value{GDBN}).
6937
6938 Values of reference mode locations are printed by @code{PTR(<hex
6939 value>)} in case of a free reference mode, and by @code{(REF <reference
6940 mode>) (<hex-value>)} in case of a bound reference. @code{<hex value>}
6941 represents the address where the reference points to. To access the
6942 value of the location referenced by the pointer, use the dereference
6943 operator @samp{->}.
6944
6945 Values of procedure mode locations are displayed by @code{@{ PROC
6946 (<argument modes> ) <return mode> @} <address> <name of procedure
6947 location>}. @code{<argument modes>} is a list of modes according to the
6948 parameter specification of the procedure and @code{<address>} shows the
6949 address of the entry point.
6950
6951 @ignore
6952 Locations of instance modes are displayed just like a structure with two
6953 fields specifying the @emph{process type} and the @emph{copy number} of
6954 the investigated instance location@footnote{This comes from the current
6955 implementation of instances. They are implemented as a structure (no
6956 na). The output should be something like @code{[<name of the process>;
6957 <instance number>]}.}. The field names are @code{__proc_type} and
6958 @code{__proc_copy}.
6959
6960 Locations of synchronization modes are displayed like a structure with
6961 the field name @code{__event_data} in case of a event mode location, and
6962 like a structure with the field @code{__buffer_data} in case of a buffer
6963 mode location (refer to previous paragraph).
6964
6965 Structure Mode locations are printed by @code{[.<field name>: <value>,
6966 ...]}. The @code{<field name>} corresponds to the structure mode
6967 definition and the layout of @code{<value>} varies depending of the mode
6968 of the field. If the investigated structure mode location is of variant
6969 structure mode, the variant parts of the structure are enclosed in curled
6970 braces (@samp{@{@}}). Fields enclosed by @samp{@{,@}} are residing
6971 on the same memory location and represent the current values of the
6972 memory location in their specific modes. Since no tag processing is done
6973 all variants are displayed. A variant field is printed by
6974 @code{(<variant name>) = .<field name>: <value>}. (who implements the
6975 stuff ???)
6976 @smallexample
6977 (@value{GDBP}) print str1 $4 = [.as: 0, .bs: karli, .<TAG>: { (karli) =
6978 [.cs: []], (susi) = [.ds: susi]}]
6979 @end smallexample
6980 @end ignore
6981
6982 Substructures of string mode-, array mode- or structure mode-values
6983 (e.g. array slices, fields of structure locations) are accessed using
6984 certain operations which are described in the next section, @ref{Values
6985 and their Operations}.
6986
6987 A location value may be interpreted as having a different mode using the
6988 location conversion. This mode conversion is written as @code{<mode
6989 name>(<location>)}. The user has to consider that the sizes of the modes
6990 have to be equal otherwise an error occurs. Furthermore, no range
6991 checking of the location against the destination mode is performed, and
6992 therefore the result can be quite confusing.
6993
6994 @smallexample
6995 (@value{GDBP}) print int (s(3 up 4)) XXX TO be filled in !! XXX
6996 @end smallexample
6997
6998 @node Values and their Operations
6999 @subsubsection Values and their Operations
7000
7001 Values are used to alter locations, to investigate complex structures in
7002 more detail or to filter relevant information out of a large amount of
7003 data. There are several (mode dependent) operations defined which enable
7004 such investigations. These operations are not only applicable to
7005 constant values but also to locations, which can become quite useful
7006 when debugging complex structures. During parsing the command line
7007 (e.g. evaluating an expression) @value{GDBN} treats location names as
7008 the values behind these locations.
7009
7010 This section describes how values have to be specified and which
7011 operations are legal to be used with such values.
7012
7013 @table @code
7014 @item Literal Values
7015 Literal values are specified in the same manner as in @sc{gnu} Chill programs.
7016 For detailed specification refer to the @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual
7017 chapter 1.5.
7018 @c FIXME: if the Chill Manual is a Texinfo documents, the above should
7019 @c be converted to a @ref.
7020
7021 @ignore
7022 @itemize @bullet
7023 @item
7024 @emph{Integer Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
7025 programs (refer to the Chill Standard z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.2)
7026 @item
7027 @emph{Boolean Literals} are defined by @code{TRUE} and @code{FALSE}.
7028 @item
7029 @emph{Character Literals} are defined by @code{'<character>'}. (e.g.
7030 @code{'M'})
7031 @item
7032 @emph{Set Literals} are defined by a name which was specified in a set
7033 mode. The value delivered by a Set Literal is the set value. This is
7034 comparable to an enumeration in C/C++ language.
7035 @item
7036 @emph{Emptiness Literal} is predefined by @code{NULL}. The value of the
7037 emptiness literal delivers either the empty reference value, the empty
7038 procedure value or the empty instance value.
7039
7040 @item
7041 @emph{Character String Literals} are defined by a sequence of characters
7042 enclosed in single- or double quotes. If a single- or double quote has
7043 to be part of the string literal it has to be stuffed (specified twice).
7044 @item
7045 @emph{Bitstring Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
7046 programs (refer z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.8).
7047 @item
7048 @emph{Floating point literals} are specified in the same manner as in
7049 (gnu-)Chill programs (refer @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual chapter 1.5).
7050 @end itemize
7051 @end ignore
7052
7053 @item Tuple Values
7054 A tuple is specified by @code{<mode name>[<tuple>]}, where @code{<mode
7055 name>} can be omitted if the mode of the tuple is unambiguous. This
7056 unambiguity is derived from the context of a evaluated expression.
7057 @code{<tuple>} can be one of the following:
7058
7059 @itemize @bullet
7060 @item @emph{Powerset Tuple}
7061 @item @emph{Array Tuple}
7062 @item @emph{Structure Tuple}
7063 Powerset tuples, array tuples and structure tuples are specified in the
7064 same manner as in Chill programs refer to z200/88 chpt 5.2.5.
7065 @end itemize
7066
7067 @item String Element Value
7068 A string element value is specified by @code{<string value>(<index>)},
7069 where @code{<index>} is a integer expression. It delivers a character
7070 value which is equivalent to the character indexed by @code{<index>} in
7071 the string.
7072
7073 @item String Slice Value
7074 A string slice value is specified by @code{<string value>(<slice
7075 spec>)}, where @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range of integer
7076 expressions or specified by @code{<start expr> up <size>}.
7077 @code{<size>} denotes the number of elements which the slice contains.
7078 The delivered value is a string value, which is part of the specified
7079 string.
7080
7081 @item Array Element Values
7082 An array element value is specified by @code{<array value>(<expr>)} and
7083 delivers a array element value of the mode of the specified array.
7084
7085 @item Array Slice Values
7086 An array slice is specified by @code{<array value>(<slice spec>)}, where
7087 @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range specified by expressions or by
7088 @code{<start expr> up <size>}. @code{<size>} denotes the number of
7089 arrayelements the slice contains. The delivered value is an array value
7090 which is part of the specified array.
7091
7092 @item Structure Field Values
7093 A structure field value is derived by @code{<structure value>.<field
7094 name>}, where @code{<field name>} indicates the name of a field specified
7095 in the mode definition of the structure. The mode of the delivered value
7096 corresponds to this mode definition in the structure definition.
7097
7098 @item Procedure Call Value
7099 The procedure call value is derived from the return value of the
7100 procedure@footnote{If a procedure call is used for instance in an
7101 expression, then this procedure is called with all its side
7102 effects. This can lead to confusing results if used carelessly.}.
7103
7104 Values of duration mode locations are represented by @code{ULONG} literals.
7105
7106 Values of time mode locations are represented by @code{TIME(<secs>:<nsecs>)}.
7107
7108 @ignore
7109 This is not implemented yet:
7110 @item Built-in Value
7111 @noindent
7112 The following built in functions are provided:
7113
7114 @table @code
7115 @item @code{ADDR()}
7116 @item @code{NUM()}
7117 @item @code{PRED()}
7118 @item @code{SUCC()}
7119 @item @code{ABS()}
7120 @item @code{CARD()}
7121 @item @code{MAX()}
7122 @item @code{MIN()}
7123 @item @code{SIZE()}
7124 @item @code{UPPER()}
7125 @item @code{LOWER()}
7126 @item @code{LENGTH()}
7127 @item @code{SIN()}
7128 @item @code{COS()}
7129 @item @code{TAN()}
7130 @item @code{ARCSIN()}
7131 @item @code{ARCCOS()}
7132 @item @code{ARCTAN()}
7133 @item @code{EXP()}
7134 @item @code{LN()}
7135 @item @code{LOG()}
7136 @item @code{SQRT()}
7137 @end table
7138
7139 For a detailed description refer to the GNU Chill implementation manual
7140 chapter 1.6.
7141 @end ignore
7142
7143 @item Zero-adic Operator Value
7144 The zero-adic operator value is derived from the instance value for the
7145 current active process.
7146
7147 @item Expression Values
7148 The value delivered by an expression is the result of the evaluation of
7149 the specified expression. If there are error conditions (mode
7150 incompatibility, etc.) the evaluation of expressions is aborted with a
7151 corresponding error message. Expressions may be parenthesised which
7152 causes the evaluation of this expression before any other expression
7153 which uses the result of the parenthesised expression. The following
7154 operators are supported by @value{GDBN}:
7155
7156 @table @code
7157 @item @code{OR, ORIF, XOR}
7158 @itemx @code{AND, ANDIF}
7159 @itemx @code{NOT}
7160 Logical operators defined over operands of boolean mode.
7161
7162 @item @code{=, /=}
7163 Equality and inequality operators defined over all modes.
7164
7165 @item @code{>, >=}
7166 @itemx @code{<, <=}
7167 Relational operators defined over predefined modes.
7168
7169 @item @code{+, -}
7170 @itemx @code{*, /, MOD, REM}
7171 Arithmetic operators defined over predefined modes.
7172
7173 @item @code{-}
7174 Change sign operator.
7175
7176 @item @code{//}
7177 String concatenation operator.
7178
7179 @item @code{()}
7180 String repetition operator.
7181
7182 @item @code{->}
7183 Referenced location operator which can be used either to take the
7184 address of a location (@code{->loc}), or to dereference a reference
7185 location (@code{loc->}).
7186
7187 @item @code{OR, XOR}
7188 @itemx @code{AND}
7189 @itemx @code{NOT}
7190 Powerset and bitstring operators.
7191
7192 @item @code{>, >=}
7193 @itemx @code{<, <=}
7194 Powerset inclusion operators.
7195
7196 @item @code{IN}
7197 Membership operator.
7198 @end table
7199 @end table
7200
7201 @node Chill type and range checks
7202 @subsubsection Chill type and range checks
7203
7204 @value{GDBN} considers two Chill variables mode equivalent if the sizes
7205 of the two modes are equal. This rule applies recursively to more
7206 complex datatypes which means that complex modes are treated
7207 equivalent if all element modes (which also can be complex modes like
7208 structures, arrays, etc.) have the same size.
7209
7210 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
7211 index bounds and all built in procedures.
7212
7213 Strong type checks are forced using the @value{GDBN} command @code{set
7214 check strong}. This enforces strong type and range checks on all
7215 operations where Chill constructs are used (expressions, built in
7216 functions, etc.) in respect to the semantics as defined in the z.200
7217 language specification.
7218
7219 All checks can be disabled by the @value{GDBN} command @code{set check
7220 off}.
7221
7222 @ignore
7223 @c Deviations from the Chill Standard Z200/88
7224 see last paragraph ?
7225 @end ignore
7226
7227 @node Chill defaults
7228 @subsubsection Chill defaults
7229
7230 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
7231 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
7232 Chill. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
7233 selected the working language.
7234
7235 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
7236 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.ch} sets the
7237 working language to Chill. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
7238 the language automatically}, for further details.
7239
7240 @node Symbols
7241 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
7242
7243 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
7244 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
7245 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
7246 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
7247 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
7248 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
7249 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
7250
7251 @cindex symbol names
7252 @cindex names of symbols
7253 @cindex quoting names
7254 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
7255 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
7256 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
7257 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
7258 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
7259 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
7260 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
7261 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
7262
7263 @example
7264 p 'foo.c'::x
7265 @end example
7266
7267 @noindent
7268 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
7269
7270 @table @code
7271 @kindex info address
7272 @item info address @var{symbol}
7273 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
7274 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
7275 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
7276 is always stored.
7277
7278 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
7279 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
7280 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
7281
7282 @kindex whatis
7283 @item whatis @var{expr}
7284 Print the data type of expression @var{expr}. @var{expr} is not
7285 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
7286 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
7287 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7288
7289 @item whatis
7290 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
7291
7292 @kindex ptype
7293 @item ptype @var{typename}
7294 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
7295 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form @samp{class
7296 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
7297 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
7298
7299 @item ptype @var{expr}
7300 @itemx ptype
7301 Print a description of the type of expression @var{expr}. @code{ptype}
7302 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
7303 of just the name of the type.
7304
7305 For example, for this variable declaration:
7306
7307 @example
7308 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
7309 @end example
7310
7311 @noindent
7312 the two commands give this output:
7313
7314 @example
7315 @group
7316 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
7317 type = struct complex
7318 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
7319 type = struct complex @{
7320 double real;
7321 double imag;
7322 @}
7323 @end group
7324 @end example
7325
7326 @noindent
7327 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
7328 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
7329
7330 @kindex info types
7331 @item info types @var{regexp}
7332 @itemx info types
7333 Print a brief description of all types whose names match @var{regexp}
7334 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
7335 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
7336 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
7337 names include the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
7338 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
7339
7340 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
7341 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
7342 lists all source files where a type is defined.
7343
7344 @kindex info source
7345 @item info source
7346 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
7347 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
7348 it was written in.
7349
7350 @kindex info sources
7351 @item info sources
7352 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
7353 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
7354 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
7355
7356 @kindex info functions
7357 @item info functions
7358 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
7359
7360 @item info functions @var{regexp}
7361 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
7362 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
7363 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
7364 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
7365 start with @code{step}.
7366
7367 @kindex info variables
7368 @item info variables
7369 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
7370 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
7371
7372 @item info variables @var{regexp}
7373 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
7374 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
7375 @var{regexp}.
7376
7377 @ignore
7378 This was never implemented.
7379 @kindex info methods
7380 @item info methods
7381 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
7382 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
7383 methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
7384 specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
7385 C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
7386 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
7387 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
7388 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
7389 @end ignore
7390
7391 @cindex reloading symbols
7392 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
7393 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
7394 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
7395 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
7396 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
7397
7398 @table @code
7399 @kindex set symbol-reloading
7400 @item set symbol-reloading on
7401 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
7402 object file with a particular name is seen again.
7403
7404 @item set symbol-reloading off
7405 Do not replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
7406 the same name. This is the default state; if you are not running on a
7407 system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
7408 @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN} may discard symbols
7409 when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
7410 different directories or libraries) with the same name.
7411
7412 @kindex show symbol-reloading
7413 @item show symbol-reloading
7414 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
7415 @end table
7416
7417 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
7418 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
7419 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
7420 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
7421 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
7422 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
7423 another source file. The default is on.
7424
7425 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
7426 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
7427
7428 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
7429 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
7430 is printed as follows:
7431 @smallexample
7432 @{<no data fields>@}
7433 @end smallexample
7434
7435 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
7436 @item show opaque-type-resolution
7437 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
7438
7439 @kindex maint print symbols
7440 @cindex symbol dump
7441 @kindex maint print psymbols
7442 @cindex partial symbol dump
7443 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
7444 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
7445 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
7446 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
7447 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
7448 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
7449 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
7450 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
7451 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
7452 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
7453 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
7454 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
7455 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
7456 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
7457 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
7458 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
7459 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
7460 @end table
7461
7462 @node Altering
7463 @chapter Altering Execution
7464
7465 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
7466 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
7467 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
7468 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
7469 program.
7470
7471 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
7472 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
7473 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
7474
7475 @menu
7476 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
7477 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
7478 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
7479 * Returning:: Returning from a function
7480 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
7481 * Patching:: Patching your program
7482 @end menu
7483
7484 @node Assignment
7485 @section Assignment to variables
7486
7487 @cindex assignment
7488 @cindex setting variables
7489 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
7490 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
7491
7492 @example
7493 print x=4
7494 @end example
7495
7496 @noindent
7497 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
7498 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
7499 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
7500 information on operators in supported languages.
7501
7502 @kindex set variable
7503 @cindex variables, setting
7504 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
7505 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
7506 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
7507 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
7508 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
7509
7510 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
7511 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
7512 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
7513 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
7514 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
7515 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
7516 command @code{set width}:
7517
7518 @example
7519 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
7520 type = double
7521 (@value{GDBP}) p width
7522 $4 = 13
7523 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
7524 Invalid syntax in expression.
7525 @end example
7526
7527 @noindent
7528 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
7529 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
7530
7531 @example
7532 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
7533 @end example
7534
7535 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
7536 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
7537 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
7538 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
7539 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
7540 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
7541
7542 @example
7543 @group
7544 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
7545 type = double
7546 (@value{GDBP}) p g
7547 $1 = 1
7548 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
7549 (@value{GDBP}) p g
7550 $2 = 1
7551 (@value{GDBP}) r
7552 The program being debugged has been started already.
7553 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
7554 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
7555 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols: Invalid bfd target.
7556 (@value{GDBP}) show g
7557 The current BFD target is "=4".
7558 @end group
7559 @end example
7560
7561 @noindent
7562 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
7563 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
7564 @code{g}, use
7565
7566 @example
7567 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
7568 @end example
7569
7570 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
7571 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
7572 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
7573 same length or shorter.
7574 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
7575 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
7576
7577 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
7578 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
7579 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
7580 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
7581 and representation in memory), and
7582
7583 @example
7584 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
7585 @end example
7586
7587 @noindent
7588 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
7589
7590 @node Jumping
7591 @section Continuing at a different address
7592
7593 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
7594 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
7595 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
7596
7597 @table @code
7598 @kindex jump
7599 @item jump @var{linespec}
7600 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
7601 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
7602 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
7603 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
7604 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
7605 breakpoints}.
7606
7607 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
7608 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
7609 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
7610 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
7611 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
7612 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
7613 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
7614 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
7615 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
7616
7617 @item jump *@var{address}
7618 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
7619 @end table
7620
7621 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
7622 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
7623 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
7624 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
7625 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
7626 example,
7627
7628 @example
7629 set $pc = 0x485
7630 @end example
7631
7632 @noindent
7633 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
7634 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
7635 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
7636
7637 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
7638 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
7639 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
7640 detail.
7641
7642 @c @group
7643 @node Signaling
7644 @section Giving your program a signal
7645
7646 @table @code
7647 @kindex signal
7648 @item signal @var{signal}
7649 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
7650 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
7651 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
7652 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
7653
7654 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
7655 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
7656 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
7657 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
7658 signal.
7659
7660 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
7661 after executing the command.
7662 @end table
7663 @c @end group
7664
7665 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
7666 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
7667 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
7668 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
7669 passes the signal directly to your program.
7670
7671
7672 @node Returning
7673 @section Returning from a function
7674
7675 @table @code
7676 @cindex returning from a function
7677 @kindex return
7678 @item return
7679 @itemx return @var{expression}
7680 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
7681 command. If you give an
7682 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
7683 value.
7684 @end table
7685
7686 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
7687 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
7688 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
7689 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
7690
7691 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
7692 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
7693 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
7694 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
7695 of functions.
7696
7697 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
7698 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
7699 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
7700 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
7701 selected stack frame returns naturally.
7702
7703 @node Calling
7704 @section Calling program functions
7705
7706 @cindex calling functions
7707 @kindex call
7708 @table @code
7709 @item call @var{expr}
7710 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
7711 returned values.
7712 @end table
7713
7714 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
7715 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
7716 with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
7717 is printed and saved in the value history.
7718
7719 For the A29K, a user-controlled variable @code{call_scratch_address},
7720 specifies the location of a scratch area to be used when @value{GDBN}
7721 calls a function in the target. This is necessary because the usual
7722 method of putting the scratch area on the stack does not work in systems
7723 that have separate instruction and data spaces.
7724
7725 @node Patching
7726 @section Patching programs
7727
7728 @cindex patching binaries
7729 @cindex writing into executables
7730 @cindex writing into corefiles
7731
7732 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
7733 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
7734 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
7735 patching your program's binary.
7736
7737 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
7738 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
7739 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
7740 repairs.
7741
7742 @table @code
7743 @kindex set write
7744 @item set write on
7745 @itemx set write off
7746 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
7747 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
7748 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
7749
7750 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
7751 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
7752 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
7753
7754 @item show write
7755 @kindex show write
7756 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
7757 as well as reading.
7758 @end table
7759
7760 @node GDB Files
7761 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
7762
7763 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
7764 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
7765 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
7766 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
7767
7768 @menu
7769 * Files:: Commands to specify files
7770 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
7771 @end menu
7772
7773 @node Files
7774 @section Commands to specify files
7775
7776 @cindex symbol table
7777 @cindex core dump file
7778
7779 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
7780 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
7781 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
7782 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
7783
7784 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
7785 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
7786 a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
7787 to specify new files are useful.
7788
7789 @table @code
7790 @cindex executable file
7791 @kindex file
7792 @item file @var{filename}
7793 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
7794 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
7795 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
7796 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
7797 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
7798 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
7799 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
7800 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
7801
7802 On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file
7803 @file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
7804 @var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
7805 @file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
7806 descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
7807 (available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
7808 @code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
7809 for more information.
7810
7811 @item file
7812 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
7813 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
7814
7815 @kindex exec-file
7816 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
7817 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
7818 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
7819 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
7820 discard information on the executable file.
7821
7822 @kindex symbol-file
7823 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
7824 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
7825 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
7826 table and program to run from the same file.
7827
7828 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
7829 program's symbol table.
7830
7831 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
7832 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
7833 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
7834 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
7835 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
7836
7837 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
7838 executing it once.
7839
7840 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
7841 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
7842 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
7843 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
7844 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
7845 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
7846 optimized code.
7847
7848 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
7849 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
7850 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
7851 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
7852 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
7853
7854 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
7855 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
7856 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
7857 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
7858 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
7859 warnings and messages}.)
7860
7861 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
7862 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
7863 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
7864 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
7865 in stabs format.
7866
7867 @kindex readnow
7868 @cindex reading symbols immediately
7869 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
7870 @kindex mapped
7871 @cindex memory-mapped symbol file
7872 @cindex saving symbol table
7873 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
7874 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
7875 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
7876 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
7877 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
7878 entire symbol table available.
7879
7880 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
7881 @code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
7882 cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
7883 file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
7884 from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
7885 than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
7886 program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
7887 starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
7888
7889 You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
7890 file has all the symbol information for your program.
7891
7892 The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
7893 @samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
7894 than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
7895 it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
7896 needed.
7897
7898 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
7899 @value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
7900 symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
7901
7902 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
7903 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
7904 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
7905 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
7906 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
7907 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
7908 @c files.
7909
7910 @kindex core
7911 @kindex core-file
7912 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
7913 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
7914 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
7915 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
7916 executable file itself for other parts.
7917
7918 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
7919 to be used.
7920
7921 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
7922 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
7923 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
7924 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
7925 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
7926
7927 @kindex add-symbol-file
7928 @cindex dynamic linking
7929 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
7930 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
7931 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @var{data_address} @var{bss_address}
7932 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-T}@var{section} @var{address}
7933 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
7934 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
7935 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
7936 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
7937 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
7938 this out for itself. You can specify up to three addresses, in which
7939 case they are taken to be the addresses of the text, data, and bss
7940 segments respectively. For complicated cases, you can specify an
7941 arbitrary number of @samp{@r{-T}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to
7942 give an explicit section name and base address for that section. You
7943 can specify any @var{address} as an expression.
7944
7945 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
7946 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
7947 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
7948 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
7949 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
7950
7951 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7952
7953 You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
7954 the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
7955 table information for @var{filename}.
7956
7957 @kindex add-shared-symbol-file
7958 @item add-shared-symbol-file
7959 The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
7960 operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
7961 shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
7962 @code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
7963
7964 @kindex section
7965 @item section
7966 The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
7967 the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
7968 section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
7969 specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
7970 separately. The @code{info files} command, described below, lists all
7971 the sections and their addresses.
7972
7973 @kindex info files
7974 @kindex info target
7975 @item info files
7976 @itemx info target
7977 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
7978 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
7979 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
7980 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
7981 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
7982 current ones.
7983
7984 @end table
7985
7986 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
7987 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
7988 name and remembers it that way.
7989
7990 @cindex shared libraries
7991 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared
7992 libraries.
7993
7994 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
7995 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
7996 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
7997 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
7998 debugging a core file).
7999
8000 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
8001 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
8002
8003 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
8004 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
8005 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
8006
8007 @table @code
8008 @kindex info sharedlibrary
8009 @kindex info share
8010 @item info share
8011 @itemx info sharedlibrary
8012 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
8013
8014 @kindex sharedlibrary
8015 @kindex share
8016 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
8017 @itemx share @var{regex}
8018 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
8019 Unix regular expression.
8020 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
8021 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
8022 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
8023 loaded.
8024 @end table
8025
8026 On HP-UX systems, @value{GDBN} detects the loading of a shared library
8027 and automatically reads in symbols from the newly loaded library, up to
8028 a threshold that is initially set but that you can modify if you wish.
8029
8030 Beyond that threshold, symbols from shared libraries must be explicitly
8031 loaded. To load these symbols, use the command @code{sharedlibrary
8032 @var{filename}}. The base address of the shared library is determined
8033 automatically by @value{GDBN} and need not be specified.
8034
8035 To display or set the threshold, use the commands:
8036
8037 @table @code
8038 @kindex set auto-solib-add
8039 @item set auto-solib-add @var{threshold}
8040 Set the autoloading size threshold, in megabytes. If @var{threshold} is
8041 nonzero, symbols from all shared object libraries will be loaded
8042 automatically when the inferior begins execution or when the dynamic
8043 linker informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded, until
8044 the symbol table of the program and libraries exceeds this threshold.
8045 Otherwise, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
8046 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default threshold is 100 megabytes.
8047
8048 @kindex show auto-solib-add
8049 @item show auto-solib-add
8050 Display the current autoloading size threshold, in megabytes.
8051 @end table
8052
8053 @node Symbol Errors
8054 @section Errors reading symbol files
8055
8056 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
8057 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
8058 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
8059 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
8060 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
8061 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
8062 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
8063 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
8064 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
8065 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
8066 messages}).
8067
8068 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
8069
8070 @table @code
8071 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
8072
8073 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
8074 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
8075 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
8076 in its outer scope blocks.
8077
8078 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
8079 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
8080 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
8081 function.
8082
8083 @item block at @var{address} out of order
8084
8085 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
8086 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
8087 do so.
8088
8089 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
8090 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
8091 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
8092 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
8093 messages}.)
8094
8095 @item bad block start address patched
8096
8097 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
8098 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
8099 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
8100
8101 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
8102 starting on the previous source line.
8103
8104 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
8105
8106 @cindex foo
8107 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
8108 larger than the size of the string table.
8109
8110 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
8111 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
8112 with this name.
8113
8114 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
8115
8116 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
8117 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
8118 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
8119
8120 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
8121 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
8122 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
8123 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
8124 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
8125 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
8126
8127 @item stub type has NULL name
8128
8129 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
8130
8131 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
8132 The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
8133 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
8134 it.
8135
8136 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
8137
8138 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
8139
8140 @end table
8141
8142 @node Targets
8143 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
8144
8145 @cindex debugging target
8146 @kindex target
8147
8148 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
8149
8150 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
8151 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
8152 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
8153 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
8154 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
8155 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
8156 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
8157 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
8158
8159 @menu
8160 * Active Targets:: Active targets
8161 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
8162 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
8163 * Remote:: Remote debugging
8164 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
8165
8166 @end menu
8167
8168 @node Active Targets
8169 @section Active targets
8170
8171 @cindex stacking targets
8172 @cindex active targets
8173 @cindex multiple targets
8174
8175 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
8176 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
8177 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
8178 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
8179 a core file.
8180
8181 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
8182 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
8183 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
8184 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
8185 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
8186 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
8187 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
8188 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
8189 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
8190
8191 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
8192 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
8193 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
8194 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
8195 process target is active.
8196
8197 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
8198 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
8199 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
8200 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
8201 process}).
8202
8203 @node Target Commands
8204 @section Commands for managing targets
8205
8206 @table @code
8207 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
8208 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
8209 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
8210 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
8211 protocol of the target machine.
8212
8213 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
8214 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
8215 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
8216
8217 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
8218 after executing the command.
8219
8220 @kindex help target
8221 @item help target
8222 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
8223 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
8224 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
8225
8226 @item help target @var{name}
8227 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
8228 select it.
8229
8230 @kindex set gnutarget
8231 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
8232 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
8233 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
8234 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
8235 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
8236 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
8237
8238 @quotation
8239 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
8240 you must know the actual BFD name.
8241 @end quotation
8242
8243 @noindent
8244 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
8245
8246 @kindex show gnutarget
8247 @item show gnutarget
8248 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
8249 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
8250 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
8251 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
8252 @end table
8253
8254 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
8255 configuration):
8256
8257 @table @code
8258 @kindex target exec
8259 @item target exec @var{program}
8260 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
8261 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
8262
8263 @kindex target core
8264 @item target core @var{filename}
8265 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
8266 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
8267
8268 @kindex target remote
8269 @item target remote @var{dev}
8270 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
8271 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
8272 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
8273 supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
8274 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
8275 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
8276
8277 @kindex target sim
8278 @item target sim
8279 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
8280 In general,
8281 @example
8282 target sim
8283 load
8284 run
8285 @end example
8286 @noindent
8287 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
8288 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
8289 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
8290 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
8291 Processors}.
8292
8293 @end table
8294
8295 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
8296
8297 @table @code
8298
8299 @kindex target nrom
8300 @item target nrom @var{dev}
8301 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
8302
8303 @end table
8304
8305 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
8306 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
8307
8308 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code
8309 once you've successfully established a connection.
8310
8311 @table @code
8312
8313 @kindex load @var{filename}
8314 @item load @var{filename}
8315 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
8316 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
8317 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
8318 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
8319 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
8320 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
8321
8322 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
8323 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
8324 target is @dots{}}''
8325
8326 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
8327 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
8328 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
8329 specifies a fixed address.
8330 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
8331
8332 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8333 @end table
8334
8335 @node Byte Order
8336 @section Choosing target byte order
8337
8338 @cindex choosing target byte order
8339 @cindex target byte order
8340 @kindex set endian big
8341 @kindex set endian little
8342 @kindex set endian auto
8343 @kindex show endian
8344
8345 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Hitachi SH,
8346 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
8347 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
8348 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
8349 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
8350 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
8351
8352 @table @code
8353 @kindex set endian big
8354 @item set endian big
8355 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
8356
8357 @kindex set endian little
8358 @item set endian little
8359 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
8360
8361 @kindex set endian auto
8362 @item set endian auto
8363 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
8364 executable.
8365
8366 @item show endian
8367 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
8368
8369 @end table
8370
8371 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
8372 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
8373 target system.
8374
8375 @node Remote
8376 @section Remote debugging
8377 @cindex remote debugging
8378
8379 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
8380 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
8381 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
8382 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
8383 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
8384
8385 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
8386 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
8387 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
8388 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
8389 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
8390 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
8391
8392 Other remote targets may be available in your
8393 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
8394
8395 @menu
8396 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
8397 @end menu
8398
8399 @node Remote Serial
8400 @subsection The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
8401
8402 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
8403 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
8404 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
8405 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
8406 program, you need:
8407
8408 @enumerate
8409 @item
8410 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
8411 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
8412 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
8413
8414 @item
8415 A C subroutine library to support your program's
8416 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
8417
8418 @item
8419 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
8420 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
8421 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
8422 documentation.
8423 @end enumerate
8424
8425 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
8426 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
8427 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
8428
8429 @table @emph
8430 @item On the host,
8431 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
8432 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
8433 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
8434
8435 @item On the target,
8436 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
8437 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
8438 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
8439
8440 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
8441 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
8442 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
8443 @end table
8444
8445 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
8446 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
8447 @sc{sparc} boards.
8448
8449 @cindex remote serial stub list
8450 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
8451
8452 @table @code
8453
8454 @item i386-stub.c
8455 @kindex i386-stub.c
8456 @cindex Intel
8457 @cindex i386
8458 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
8459
8460 @item m68k-stub.c
8461 @kindex m68k-stub.c
8462 @cindex Motorola 680x0
8463 @cindex m680x0
8464 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
8465
8466 @item sh-stub.c
8467 @kindex sh-stub.c
8468 @cindex Hitachi
8469 @cindex SH
8470 For Hitachi SH architectures.
8471
8472 @item sparc-stub.c
8473 @kindex sparc-stub.c
8474 @cindex Sparc
8475 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
8476
8477 @item sparcl-stub.c
8478 @kindex sparcl-stub.c
8479 @cindex Fujitsu
8480 @cindex SparcLite
8481 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
8482
8483 @end table
8484
8485 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
8486 recently added stubs.
8487
8488 @menu
8489 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
8490 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
8491 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
8492 * Protocol:: Definition of the communication protocol
8493 * Server:: Using the `gdbserver' program
8494 * NetWare:: Using the `gdbserve.nlm' program
8495 @end menu
8496
8497 @node Stub Contents
8498 @subsubsection What the stub can do for you
8499
8500 @cindex remote serial stub
8501 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
8502 subroutines:
8503
8504 @table @code
8505 @item set_debug_traps
8506 @kindex set_debug_traps
8507 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
8508 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
8509 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
8510 beginning of your program.
8511
8512 @item handle_exception
8513 @kindex handle_exception
8514 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
8515 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
8516 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
8517 run when a trap is triggered.
8518
8519 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
8520 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
8521 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
8522 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
8523 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
8524 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
8525 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
8526 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
8527 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
8528 machine.
8529
8530 @item breakpoint
8531 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
8532 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
8533 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
8534 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
8535 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
8536 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
8537 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
8538 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
8539 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
8540 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
8541 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
8542
8543 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
8544 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
8545 start of your debugging session.
8546 @end table
8547
8548 @node Bootstrapping
8549 @subsubsection What you must do for the stub
8550
8551 @cindex remote stub, support routines
8552 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
8553 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
8554 debugging target machine.
8555
8556 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
8557 serial port.
8558
8559 @table @code
8560 @item int getDebugChar()
8561 @kindex getDebugChar
8562 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
8563 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
8564 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
8565
8566 @item void putDebugChar(int)
8567 @kindex putDebugChar
8568 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
8569 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
8570 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
8571 @end table
8572
8573 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
8574 @cindex interrupting remote targets
8575 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
8576 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
8577 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
8578 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
8579 remote system to stop.
8580
8581 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
8582 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
8583 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
8584 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
8585
8586 Other routines you need to supply are:
8587
8588 @table @code
8589 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
8590 @kindex exceptionHandler
8591 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
8592 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
8593 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
8594 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
8595 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
8596 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
8597 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
8598 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
8599 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
8600 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
8601 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
8602 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
8603 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
8604
8605 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
8606 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
8607 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
8608 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
8609 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
8610
8611 @item void flush_i_cache()
8612 @kindex flush_i_cache
8613 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
8614 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
8615 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
8616
8617 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
8618 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
8619 @end table
8620
8621 @noindent
8622 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
8623
8624 @table @code
8625 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
8626 @kindex memset
8627 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
8628 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
8629 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
8630 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
8631 @end table
8632
8633 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
8634 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
8635 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
8636 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
8637
8638
8639 @node Debug Session
8640 @subsubsection Putting it all together
8641
8642 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
8643 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
8644 steps.
8645
8646 @enumerate
8647 @item
8648 Make sure you have the supporting low-level routines
8649 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
8650 @display
8651 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
8652 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
8653 @end display
8654
8655 @item
8656 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
8657
8658 @example
8659 set_debug_traps();
8660 breakpoint();
8661 @end example
8662
8663 @item
8664 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
8665 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
8666
8667 @example
8668 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
8669 @end example
8670
8671 @noindent
8672 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
8673 function in your program; that function is called when
8674 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
8675 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
8676 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
8677
8678 @item
8679 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
8680 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
8681
8682 @item
8683 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
8684 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
8685
8686 @item
8687 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
8688 @c document that. FIXME.
8689 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
8690 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
8691
8692 @item
8693 To start remote debugging, run @value{GDBN} on the host machine, and specify
8694 as an executable file the program that is running in the remote machine.
8695 This tells @value{GDBN} how to find your program's symbols and the contents
8696 of its pure text.
8697
8698 @item
8699 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
8700 Establish communication using the @code{target remote} command.
8701 Its argument specifies how to communicate with the target
8702 machine---either via a devicename attached to a direct serial line, or a
8703 TCP port (usually to a terminal server which in turn has a serial line
8704 to the target). For example, to use a serial line connected to the
8705 device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
8706
8707 @example
8708 target remote /dev/ttyb
8709 @end example
8710
8711 @cindex TCP port, @code{target remote}
8712 To use a TCP connection, use an argument of the form
8713 @code{@var{host}:port}. For example, to connect to port 2828 on a
8714 terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
8715
8716 @example
8717 target remote manyfarms:2828
8718 @end example
8719 @end enumerate
8720
8721 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
8722 step and continue the remote program.
8723
8724 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
8725 command.
8726
8727 @cindex interrupting remote programs
8728 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
8729 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
8730 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
8731 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
8732 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
8733 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
8734
8735 @example
8736 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
8737 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
8738 @end example
8739
8740 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
8741 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
8742 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
8743 goes back to waiting.
8744
8745 @node Protocol
8746 @subsubsection Communication protocol
8747
8748 @cindex debugging stub, example
8749 @cindex remote stub, example
8750 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
8751 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
8752 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
8753 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
8754 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
8755 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
8756 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
8757 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
8758
8759 However, there may be occasions when you need to know something about
8760 the protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your
8761 target machine, you might want your program to do something special if
8762 it recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
8763
8764 In the examples below, @samp{<-} and @samp{->} are used to indicate
8765 transmitted and received data respectfully.
8766
8767 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
8768 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
8769 @cindex remote serial protocol
8770 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments)
8771 are sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the
8772 character @samp{$}, this is followed by an optional two-digit
8773 @var{sequence-id} and the character @samp{:}, the actual
8774 @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character @samp{#} followed by a
8775 two-digit @var{checksum}:
8776
8777 @example
8778 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
8779 @end example
8780 @noindent
8781 or, with the optional @var{sequence-id}:
8782 @example
8783 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
8784 @end example
8785
8786 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
8787 @noindent
8788 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
8789 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (that
8790 consisting of both the optional @var{sequence-id}@code{:} and the actual
8791 @var{packet-data}) (an eight bit unsigned checksum).
8792
8793 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
8794 @noindent
8795 The two-digit @var{sequence-id}, when present, is returned with the
8796 acknowledgment. Beyond that its meaning is poorly defined.
8797 @value{GDBN} is not known to output @var{sequence-id}s.
8798
8799 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
8800 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
8801 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
8802 retransmission):
8803
8804 @example
8805 <- @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
8806 -> @code{+}
8807 @end example
8808 @noindent
8809 If the received packet included a @var{sequence-id} than that is
8810 appended to a positive acknowledgment:
8811
8812 @example
8813 <- @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
8814 -> @code{+}@var{sequence-id}
8815 @end example
8816
8817 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
8818 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
8819 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
8820 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
8821
8822 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
8823 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for an
8824 exception). @samp{:} can not appear as the third character in a packet.
8825 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} and @samp{;}
8826 (unfortunately some packets chose to use @samp{:}). Except where
8827 otherwise noted all numbers are represented in HEX with leading zeros
8828 suppressed.
8829
8830 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
8831 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
8832 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
8833 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
8834 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
8835 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
8836 value greater than 126 should not be used.
8837
8838 Some remote systems have used a different run-length encoding mechanism
8839 loosely refered to as the cisco encoding. Following the @samp{*}
8840 character are two hex digits that indicate the size of the packet.
8841
8842 So:
8843 @example
8844 "@code{0* }"
8845 @end example
8846 @noindent
8847 means the same as "0000".
8848
8849 The error response, returned for some packets includes a two character
8850 error number. That number is not well defined.
8851
8852 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
8853 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
8854 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
8855 on that response.
8856
8857 Below is a complete list of all currently defined @var{command}s and
8858 their corresponding response @var{data}:
8859
8860 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .30 .40
8861 @item Packet
8862 @tab Request
8863 @tab Description
8864
8865 @item extended ops @emph{(optional)}
8866 @tab @code{!}
8867 @tab
8868 Use the extended remote protocol. Sticky---only needs to be set once.
8869 The extended remote protocol support the @samp{R} packet.
8870 @item
8871 @tab reply @samp{}
8872 @tab
8873 Stubs that support the extended remote protocol return @samp{} which,
8874 unfortunately, is identical to the response returned by stubs that do not
8875 support protocol extensions.
8876
8877 @item last signal
8878 @tab @code{?}
8879 @tab
8880 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for step
8881 and continue.
8882 @item
8883 @tab reply
8884 @tab see below
8885
8886
8887 @item reserved
8888 @tab @code{a}
8889 @tab Reserved for future use
8890
8891 @item set program arguments @strong{(reserved)} @emph{(optional)}
8892 @tab @code{A}@var{arglen}@code{,}@var{argnum}@code{,}@var{arg}@code{,...}
8893 @tab
8894 Initialized @samp{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
8895 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream @var{arg}.
8896 See @file{gdbserver} for more details.
8897 @item
8898 @tab reply @code{OK}
8899 @item
8900 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
8901
8902 @item set baud @strong{(deprecated)}
8903 @tab @code{b}@var{baud}
8904 @tab
8905 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}. JTC: @emph{When does the
8906 transport layer state change? When it's received, or after the ACK is
8907 transmitted. In either case, there are problems if the command or the
8908 acknowledgment packet is dropped.} Stan: @emph{If people really wanted
8909 to add something like this, and get it working for the first time, they
8910 ought to modify ser-unix.c to send some kind of out-of-band message to a
8911 specially-setup stub and have the switch happen "in between" packets, so
8912 that from remote protocol's point of view, nothing actually
8913 happened.}
8914
8915 @item set breakpoint @strong{(deprecated)}
8916 @tab @code{B}@var{addr},@var{mode}
8917 @tab
8918 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
8919 breakpoint at @var{addr}. @emph{This has been replaced by the @samp{Z} and
8920 @samp{z} packets.}
8921
8922 @item continue
8923 @tab @code{c}@var{addr}
8924 @tab
8925 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
8926 current address.
8927 @item
8928 @tab reply
8929 @tab see below
8930
8931 @item continue with signal @emph{(optional)}
8932 @tab @code{C}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
8933 @tab
8934 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
8935 @code{;}@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
8936 @item
8937 @tab reply
8938 @tab see below
8939
8940 @item toggle debug @emph{(deprecated)}
8941 @tab @code{d}
8942 @tab
8943 toggle debug flag.
8944
8945 @item detach @emph{(optional)}
8946 @tab @code{D}
8947 @tab
8948 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target before
8949 @value{GDBN} disconnects.
8950 @item
8951 @tab reply @emph{no response}
8952 @tab
8953 @value{GDBN} does not check for any response after sending this packet
8954
8955 @item reserved
8956 @tab @code{e}
8957 @tab Reserved for future use
8958
8959 @item reserved
8960 @tab @code{E}
8961 @tab Reserved for future use
8962
8963 @item reserved
8964 @tab @code{f}
8965 @tab Reserved for future use
8966
8967 @item reserved
8968 @tab @code{F}
8969 @tab Reserved for future use
8970
8971 @item read registers
8972 @tab @code{g}
8973 @tab Read general registers.
8974 @item
8975 @tab reply @var{XX...}
8976 @tab
8977 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
8978 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
8979 each register and their position within the @samp{g} @var{packet} are
8980 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros @var{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and
8981 @var{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The specification of several standard
8982 @code{g} packets is specified below.
8983 @item
8984 @tab @code{E}@var{NN}
8985 @tab for an error.
8986
8987 @item write regs
8988 @tab @code{G}@var{XX...}
8989 @tab
8990 See @samp{g} for a description of the @var{XX...} data.
8991 @item
8992 @tab reply @code{OK}
8993 @tab for success
8994 @item
8995 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
8996 @tab for an error
8997
8998 @item reserved
8999 @tab @code{h}
9000 @tab Reserved for future use
9001
9002 @item set thread @emph{(optional)}
9003 @tab @code{H}@var{c}@var{t...}
9004 @tab
9005 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
9006 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} = @samp{c} for thread used in step and
9007 continue; @var{t...} can be -1 for all threads. @var{c} = @samp{g} for
9008 thread used in other operations. If zero, pick a thread, any thread.
9009 @item
9010 @tab reply @code{OK}
9011 @tab for success
9012 @item
9013 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9014 @tab for an error
9015
9016 @c FIXME: JTC:
9017 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
9018 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
9019 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
9020 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
9021 @c described. For example:
9022 @c
9023 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
9024 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
9025 @c otherwise returns current registers.
9026 @c
9027 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
9028 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
9029 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
9030
9031 @item cycle step @strong{(draft)} @emph{(optional)}
9032 @tab @code{i}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{nnn}
9033 @tab
9034 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @code{,}@var{nnn} is
9035 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
9036 step starting at that address.
9037
9038 @item signal then cycle step @strong{(reserved)} @emph{(optional)}
9039 @tab @code{I}
9040 @tab
9041 See @samp{i} and @samp{S} for likely syntax and semantics.
9042
9043 @item reserved
9044 @tab @code{j}
9045 @tab Reserved for future use
9046
9047 @item reserved
9048 @tab @code{J}
9049 @tab Reserved for future use
9050
9051 @item kill request @emph{(optional)}
9052 @tab @code{k}
9053 @tab
9054 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how operate when a specific
9055 thread context has been selected (ie. does 'k' kill only that thread?)}.
9056
9057 @item reserved
9058 @tab @code{l}
9059 @tab Reserved for future use
9060
9061 @item reserved
9062 @tab @code{L}
9063 @tab Reserved for future use
9064
9065 @item read memory
9066 @tab @code{m}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
9067 @tab
9068 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
9069 Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that sized memory transfers are assumed
9070 using word alligned accesses. FIXME: @emph{A word aligned memory
9071 transfer mechanism is needed.}
9072 @item
9073 @tab reply @var{XX...}
9074 @tab
9075 @var{XX...} is mem contents. Can be fewer bytes than requested if able
9076 to read only part of the data. Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that
9077 sized memory transfers are assumed using word alligned accesses. FIXME:
9078 @emph{A word aligned memory transfer mechanism is needed.}
9079 @item
9080 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9081 @tab @var{NN} is errno
9082
9083 @item write mem
9084 @tab @code{M}@var{addr},@var{length}@code{:}@var{XX...}
9085 @tab
9086 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
9087 @var{XX...} is the data.
9088 @item
9089 @tab reply @code{OK}
9090 @tab for success
9091 @item
9092 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9093 @tab
9094 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
9095 written).
9096
9097 @item reserved
9098 @tab @code{n}
9099 @tab Reserved for future use
9100
9101 @item reserved
9102 @tab @code{N}
9103 @tab Reserved for future use
9104
9105 @item reserved
9106 @tab @code{o}
9107 @tab Reserved for future use
9108
9109 @item reserved
9110 @tab @code{O}
9111 @tab Reserved for future use
9112
9113 @item read reg @strong{(reserved)}
9114 @tab @code{p}@var{n...}
9115 @tab
9116 See write register.
9117 @item
9118 @tab return @var{r....}
9119 @tab The hex encoded value of the register in target byte order.
9120
9121 @item write reg @emph{(optional)}
9122 @tab @code{P}@var{n...}@code{=}@var{r...}
9123 @tab
9124 Write register @var{n...} with value @var{r...}, which contains two hex
9125 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
9126 @item
9127 @tab reply @code{OK}
9128 @tab for success
9129 @item
9130 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9131 @tab for an error
9132
9133 @item general query @emph{(optional)}
9134 @tab @code{q}@var{query}
9135 @tab
9136 Request info about @var{query}. In general @value{GDBN} @var{query}'s
9137 have a leading upper case letter. Custom vendor queries should use a
9138 company prefix (in lower case) ex: @samp{qfsf.var}. @var{query} may
9139 optionally be followed by a @samp{,} or @samp{;} separated list. Stubs
9140 must ensure that they match the full @var{query} name.
9141 @item
9142 @tab reply @code{XX...}
9143 @tab Hex encoded data from query. The reply can not be empty.
9144 @item
9145 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9146 @tab error reply
9147 @item
9148 @tab reply @samp{}
9149 @tab Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
9150
9151 @item general set @emph{(optional)}
9152 @tab @code{Q}@var{var}@code{=}@var{val}
9153 @tab
9154 Set value of @var{var} to @var{val}. See @samp{q} for a discussing of
9155 naming conventions.
9156
9157 @item reset @emph{(deprecated)}
9158 @tab @code{r}
9159 @tab
9160 Reset the entire system.
9161
9162 @item remote restart @emph{(optional)}
9163 @tab @code{R}@var{XX}
9164 @tab
9165 Restart the remote server. @var{XX} while needed has no clear
9166 definition. FIXME: @emph{An example interaction explaining how this
9167 packet is used in extended-remote mode is needed}.
9168
9169 @item step @emph{(optional)}
9170 @tab @code{s}@var{addr}
9171 @tab
9172 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
9173 same address.
9174 @item
9175 @tab reply
9176 @tab see below
9177
9178 @item step with signal @emph{(optional)}
9179 @tab @code{S}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
9180 @tab
9181 Like @samp{C} but step not continue.
9182 @item
9183 @tab reply
9184 @tab see below
9185
9186 @item search @emph{(optional)}
9187 @tab @code{t}@var{addr}@code{:}@var{PP}@code{,}@var{MM}
9188 @tab
9189 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
9190 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4
9191 bytes. @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
9192
9193 @item thread alive @emph{(optional)}
9194 @tab @code{T}@var{XX}
9195 @tab Find out if the thread XX is alive.
9196 @item
9197 @tab reply @code{OK}
9198 @tab thread is still alive
9199 @item
9200 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9201 @tab thread is dead
9202
9203 @item reserved
9204 @tab @code{u}
9205 @tab Reserved for future use
9206
9207 @item reserved
9208 @tab @code{U}
9209 @tab Reserved for future use
9210
9211 @item reserved
9212 @tab @code{v}
9213 @tab Reserved for future use
9214
9215 @item reserved
9216 @tab @code{V}
9217 @tab Reserved for future use
9218
9219 @item reserved
9220 @tab @code{w}
9221 @tab Reserved for future use
9222
9223 @item reserved
9224 @tab @code{W}
9225 @tab Reserved for future use
9226
9227 @item reserved
9228 @tab @code{x}
9229 @tab Reserved for future use
9230
9231 @item write mem (binary) @emph{(optional)}
9232 @tab @code{X}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}@var{:}@var{XX...}
9233 @tab
9234 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes, @var{XX...} is
9235 binary data. The characters @code{$}, @code{#}, and @code{0x7d} are
9236 escaped using @code{0x7d}.
9237 @item
9238 @tab reply @code{OK}
9239 @tab for success
9240 @item
9241 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9242 @tab for an error
9243
9244 @item reserved
9245 @tab @code{y}
9246 @tab Reserved for future use
9247
9248 @item reserved
9249 @tab @code{Y}
9250 @tab Reserved for future use
9251
9252 @item remove break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)} @emph{(optional)}
9253 @tab @code{z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
9254 @tab
9255 See @samp{Z}.
9256
9257 @item insert break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)} @emph{(optional)}
9258 @tab @code{Z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
9259 @tab
9260 @var{t} is type: @samp{0} - software breakpoint, @samp{1} - hardware
9261 breakpoint, @samp{2} - write watchpoint, @samp{3} - read watchpoint,
9262 @samp{4} - access watchpoint; @var{addr} is address; @var{length} is in
9263 bytes. For a software breakpoint, @var{length} specifies the size of
9264 the instruction to be patched. For hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
9265 @var{length} specifies the memory region to be monitored. To avoid
9266 potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should be
9267 implemented in an ident-potentent way.
9268 @item
9269 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9270 @tab for an error
9271 @item
9272 @tab reply @code{OK}
9273 @tab for success
9274 @item
9275 @tab @samp{}
9276 @tab If not supported.
9277
9278 @item reserved
9279 @tab <other>
9280 @tab Reserved for future use
9281
9282 @end multitable
9283
9284 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
9285 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
9286 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
9287 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @samp{signal
9288 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal numbering
9289 conventions is used.
9290
9291 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
9292
9293 @item @code{S}@var{AA}
9294 @tab @var{AA} is the signal number
9295
9296 @item @code{T}@var{AA}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}
9297 @tab
9298 @var{AA} = two hex digit signal number; @var{n...} = register number
9299 (hex), @var{r...} = target byte ordered register contents, size defined
9300 by @code{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE}; @var{n...} = @samp{thread}, @var{r...} =
9301 thread process ID, this is a hex integer; @var{n...} = other string not
9302 starting with valid hex digit. @value{GDBN} should ignore this
9303 @var{n...}, @var{r...} pair and go on to the next. This way we can
9304 extend the protocol.
9305
9306 @item @code{W}@var{AA}
9307 @tab
9308 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
9309 applicable for certains sorts of targets.
9310
9311 @item @code{X}@var{AA}
9312 @tab
9313 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
9314
9315 @item @code{N}@var{AA}@code{;}@var{tttttttt}@code{;}@var{dddddddd}@code{;}@var{bbbbbbbb} @strong{(obsolete)}
9316 @tab
9317 @var{AA} = signal number; @var{tttttttt} = address of symbol "_start";
9318 @var{dddddddd} = base of data section; @var{bbbbbbbb} = base of bss
9319 section. @emph{Note: only used by Cisco Systems targets. The difference
9320 between this reply and the "qOffsets" query is that the 'N' packet may
9321 arrive spontaneously whereas the 'qOffsets' is a query initiated by the
9322 host debugger.}
9323
9324 @item @code{O}@var{XX...}
9325 @tab
9326 @var{XX...} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data. This can happen at any time
9327 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
9328 for 'W', 'T', etc.
9329
9330 @end multitable
9331
9332 The following set and query packets have already been defined.
9333
9334 @multitable @columnfractions .2 .2 .6
9335
9336 @item current thread
9337 @tab @code{q}@code{C}
9338 @tab Return the current thread id.
9339 @item
9340 @tab reply @code{QC}@var{pid}
9341 @tab
9342 Where @var{pid} is a HEX encoded 16 bit process id.
9343 @item
9344 @tab reply *
9345 @tab Any other reply implies the old pid.
9346
9347 @item all thread ids
9348 @tab @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
9349 @item
9350 @tab @code{q}@code{sThreadInfo}
9351 @tab
9352 Obtain a list of active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
9353 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
9354 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
9355 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
9356 be the @code{qf}@code{ThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
9357 sequence will be the @code{qs}@code{ThreadInfo} query.
9358 @item
9359 @tab
9360 @tab NOTE: replaces the @code{qL} query (see below).
9361 @item
9362 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>}
9363 @tab A single thread id
9364 @item
9365 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>,}@var{<id>...}
9366 @tab a comma-separated list of thread ids
9367 @item
9368 @tab reply @code{l}
9369 @tab (lower case 'el') denotes end of list.
9370 @item
9371 @tab
9372 @tab
9373 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one
9374 or more thread ids, in big-endian hex, separated by commas. GDB will
9375 respond to each reply with a request for more thread ids (using the
9376 @code{qs} form of the query), until the target responds with @code{l}
9377 (lower-case el, for @code{'last'}).
9378
9379 @item extra thread info
9380 @tab @code{qfThreadExtraInfo,}@var{<id>}
9381 @tab
9382 @item
9383 @tab
9384 @tab
9385 Where @var{<id>} is a thread-id in big-endian hex.
9386 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
9387 the target OS. This string may contain anything that the target OS
9388 thinks is interesting for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread.
9389 The string is displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @samp{info threads} display.
9390 Some examples of possible thread extra info strings are "Runnable", or
9391 "Blocked on Mutex".
9392 @item
9393 @tab reply @var{XX...}
9394 @tab
9395 Where @var{XX...} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, comprising the
9396 printable string containing the extra information about the thread's
9397 attributes.
9398
9399 @item query @var{LIST} or @var{threadLIST} @strong{(deprecated)}
9400 @tab @code{q}@code{L}@var{startflag}@var{threadcount}@var{nextthread}
9401 @tab
9402 @item
9403 @tab
9404 @tab
9405 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
9406 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
9407 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
9408 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
9409 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
9410 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
9411 @item
9412 @tab
9413 @tab NOTE: this query is replaced by the @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
9414 query (see above).
9415 @item
9416 @tab reply @code{q}@code{M}@var{count}@var{done}@var{argthread}@var{thread...}
9417 @tab
9418 @item
9419 @tab
9420 @tab
9421 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
9422 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
9423 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
9424 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread...} is
9425 a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
9426 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
9427
9428 @item compute CRC of memory block
9429 @tab @code{q}@code{CRC:}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
9430 @tab
9431 @item
9432 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9433 @tab An error (such as memory fault)
9434 @item
9435 @tab reply @code{C}@var{CRC32}
9436 @tab A 32 bit cyclic redundancy check of the specified memory region.
9437
9438 @item query sect offs
9439 @tab @code{q}@code{Offsets}
9440 @tab
9441 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
9442 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
9443 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
9444 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
9445 @item
9446 @tab reply @code{Text=}@var{xxx}@code{;Data=}@var{yyy}@code{;Bss=}@var{zzz}
9447
9448 @item thread info request
9449 @tab @code{q}@code{P}@var{mode}@var{threadid}
9450 @tab
9451 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
9452 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
9453 @item
9454 @tab reply *
9455 @tab
9456 See @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
9457
9458 @item remote command
9459 @tab @code{q}@code{Rcmd,}@var{COMMAND}
9460 @tab
9461 @var{COMMAND} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
9462 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output string.
9463 Before the final result packet, the target may also respond with a
9464 number of intermediate @code{O}@var{OUTPUT} console output
9465 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
9466 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
9467 @item
9468 @tab reply @code{OK}
9469 @tab
9470 A command response with no output.
9471 @item
9472 @tab reply @var{OUTPUT}
9473 @tab
9474 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
9475 @item
9476 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
9477 @tab
9478 Indicate a badly formed request.
9479
9480 @item
9481 @tab reply @samp{}
9482 @tab
9483 When @samp{q}@samp{Rcmd} is not recognized.
9484
9485 @end multitable
9486
9487 The following @samp{g}/@samp{G} packets have previously been defined.
9488 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as sixty-four
9489 bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?) to fill the
9490 space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target byte order.
9491 The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered most-significant -
9492 least-significant.
9493
9494 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
9495
9496 @item MIPS32
9497 @tab
9498 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
9499 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
9500 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
9501
9502 @item MIPS64
9503 @tab
9504 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
9505 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
9506 as @code{MIPS32}.
9507
9508 @end multitable
9509
9510 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
9511 does not get any direct output:
9512
9513 @example
9514 <- @code{R00}
9515 -> @code{+}
9516 @emph{target restarts}
9517 <- @code{?}
9518 -> @code{+}
9519 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
9520 <- @code{+}
9521 @end example
9522
9523 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
9524
9525 @example
9526 <- @code{G1445...}
9527 -> @code{+}
9528 <- @code{s}
9529 -> @code{+}
9530 @emph{time passes}
9531 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
9532 <- @code{+}
9533 <- @code{g}
9534 -> @code{+}
9535 -> @code{1455...}
9536 <- @code{+}
9537 @end example
9538
9539 @kindex set remotedebug@r{, serial protocol}
9540 @kindex show remotedebug@r{, serial protocol}
9541 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
9542 @cindex serial connections, debugging
9543 If you have trouble with the serial connection, you can use the command
9544 @code{set remotedebug}. This makes @value{GDBN} report on all packets sent
9545 back and forth across the serial line to the remote machine. The
9546 packet-debugging information is printed on the @value{GDBN} standard output
9547 stream. @code{set remotedebug off} turns it off, and @code{show
9548 remotedebug} shows you its current state.
9549
9550 @node Server
9551 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserver} program
9552
9553 @kindex gdbserver
9554 @cindex remote connection without stubs
9555 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
9556 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
9557 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
9558
9559 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
9560 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
9561 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
9562 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
9563 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
9564 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
9565 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
9566 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
9567 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
9568 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
9569 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
9570 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
9571 choice for debugging.
9572
9573 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
9574 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
9575 protocol.
9576
9577 @table @emph
9578 @item On the target machine,
9579 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
9580 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
9581 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
9582 system does all the symbol handling.
9583
9584 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
9585 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The
9586 syntax is:
9587
9588 @smallexample
9589 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
9590 @end smallexample
9591
9592 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
9593 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
9594 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
9595 @file{/dev/com1}:
9596
9597 @smallexample
9598 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
9599 @end smallexample
9600
9601 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
9602 with it.
9603
9604 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
9605
9606 @smallexample
9607 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
9608 @end smallexample
9609
9610 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
9611 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
9612 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
9613 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
9614 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
9615 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
9616 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
9617 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
9618 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
9619 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
9620 @code{target remote} command.
9621
9622 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
9623 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
9624 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
9625 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
9626 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
9627 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}.) After that, use @code{target
9628 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserver}. Its argument
9629 is either a device name (usually a serial device, like
9630 @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a TCP port descriptor in the form
9631 @code{@var{host}:@var{PORT}}. For example:
9632
9633 @smallexample
9634 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
9635 @end smallexample
9636
9637 @noindent
9638 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and
9639
9640 @smallexample
9641 (@value{GDBP}) target remote the-target:2345
9642 @end smallexample
9643
9644 @noindent
9645 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host @w{@file{the-target}}.
9646 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
9647 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
9648 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
9649 @samp{Connection refused}.
9650 @end table
9651
9652 @node NetWare
9653 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserve.nlm} program
9654
9655 @kindex gdbserve.nlm
9656 @code{gdbserve.nlm} is a control program for NetWare systems, which
9657 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
9658 @code{target remote}.
9659
9660 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserve.nlm} communicate via a serial line,
9661 using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol.
9662
9663 @table @emph
9664 @item On the target machine,
9665 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
9666 @code{gdbserve.nlm} does not need your program's symbol table, so you
9667 can strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the
9668 host system does all the symbol handling.
9669
9670 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with
9671 @value{GDBN}; the name of your program; and the arguments for your
9672 program. The syntax is:
9673
9674 @smallexample
9675 load gdbserve [ BOARD=@var{board} ] [ PORT=@var{port} ]
9676 [ BAUD=@var{baud} ] @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
9677 @end smallexample
9678
9679 @var{board} and @var{port} specify the serial line; @var{baud} specifies
9680 the baud rate used by the connection. @var{port} and @var{node} default
9681 to 0, @var{baud} defaults to 9600@dmn{bps}.
9682
9683 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument @samp{foo.txt}and
9684 communicate with @value{GDBN} over serial port number 2 or board 1
9685 using a 19200@dmn{bps} connection:
9686
9687 @smallexample
9688 load gdbserve BOARD=1 PORT=2 BAUD=19200 emacs foo.txt
9689 @end smallexample
9690
9691 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
9692 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
9693 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
9694 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
9695 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
9696 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}. After that, use @code{target
9697 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserve.nlm}. Its
9698 argument is a device name (usually a serial device, like
9699 @file{/dev/ttyb}). For example:
9700
9701 @smallexample
9702 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
9703 @end smallexample
9704
9705 @noindent
9706 communications with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}.
9707 @end table
9708
9709 @node KOD
9710 @section Kernel Object Display
9711
9712 @cindex kernel object display
9713 @cindex kernel object
9714 @cindex KOD
9715
9716 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
9717 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
9718 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
9719 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
9720 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
9721
9722 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
9723 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
9724
9725 @example
9726 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
9727 @end example
9728
9729 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
9730 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
9731 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
9732 after the operating system:
9733
9734 @example
9735 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
9736 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
9737 Object Description
9738 any Any and all objects
9739 @end example
9740
9741 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
9742 by the kernel.
9743
9744 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating system
9745 is supported other than to try it.
9746
9747
9748 @node Configurations
9749 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
9750
9751 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
9752 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
9753 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
9754
9755 There are three major categories of configurations: native
9756 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
9757 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
9758 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
9759 are quite different from each other.
9760
9761 @menu
9762 * Native::
9763 * Embedded OS::
9764 * Embedded Processors::
9765 * Architectures::
9766 @end menu
9767
9768 @node Native
9769 @section Native
9770
9771 This section describes details specific to particular native
9772 configurations.
9773
9774 @menu
9775 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
9776 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
9777 @end menu
9778
9779 @node HP-UX
9780 @subsection HP-UX
9781
9782 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9783 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9784 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9785
9786 @node SVR4 Process Information
9787 @subsection SVR4 process information
9788
9789 @kindex /proc
9790 @cindex process image
9791
9792 Many versions of SVR4 provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
9793 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
9794 subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with
9795 this facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on
9796 several kinds of information about the process running your program.
9797 @code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the
9798 @code{procfs} code. This includes OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, Irix,
9799 and Unixware, but not HP-UX or Linux, for example.
9800
9801 @table @code
9802 @kindex info proc
9803 @item info proc
9804 Summarize available information about the process.
9805
9806 @kindex info proc mappings
9807 @item info proc mappings
9808 Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
9809 on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
9810
9811 @kindex info proc times
9812 @item info proc times
9813 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
9814 its children.
9815
9816 @kindex info proc id
9817 @item info proc id
9818 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
9819 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
9820
9821 @kindex info proc status
9822 @item info proc status
9823 General information on the state of the process. If the process is
9824 stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
9825 received.
9826
9827 @item info proc all
9828 Show all the above information about the process.
9829 @end table
9830
9831 @node Embedded OS
9832 @section Embedded Operating Systems
9833
9834 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
9835 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
9836 architectures.
9837
9838 @menu
9839 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
9840 @end menu
9841
9842 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
9843 various real-time operating systems.
9844
9845 @node VxWorks
9846 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
9847
9848 @cindex VxWorks
9849
9850 @table @code
9851
9852 @kindex target vxworks
9853 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
9854 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
9855 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
9856
9857 @end table
9858
9859 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
9860 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
9861
9862 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
9863 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
9864 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
9865 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
9866 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
9867 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
9868 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
9869
9870 @table @code
9871 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
9872 @kindex vxworks-timeout
9873 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
9874 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
9875 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
9876 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
9877 of a thin network line.
9878 @end table
9879
9880 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
9881 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
9882 procedures.
9883
9884 @kindex INCLUDE_RDB
9885 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
9886 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
9887 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
9888 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
9889 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
9890 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
9891 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
9892 manual.
9893 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
9894
9895 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
9896 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
9897 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
9898 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
9899
9900 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
9901
9902 @example
9903 (vxgdb)
9904 @end example
9905
9906 @menu
9907 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
9908 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
9909 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
9910 @end menu
9911
9912 @node VxWorks Connection
9913 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
9914
9915 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
9916 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
9917
9918 @example
9919 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
9920 @end example
9921
9922 @need 750
9923 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
9924
9925 @smallexample
9926 Attaching remote machine across net...
9927 Connected to tt.
9928 @end smallexample
9929
9930 @need 1000
9931 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
9932 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
9933 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
9934 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
9935 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
9936
9937 @example
9938 prog.o: No such file or directory.
9939 @end example
9940
9941 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
9942 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
9943 command again.
9944
9945 @node VxWorks Download
9946 @subsubsection VxWorks download
9947
9948 @cindex download to VxWorks
9949 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
9950 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
9951 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
9952 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
9953 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
9954 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
9955 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
9956 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
9957 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
9958 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
9959 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
9960 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
9961 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
9962 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
9963 program, type this on VxWorks:
9964
9965 @example
9966 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
9967 @end example
9968
9969 @noindent
9970 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
9971
9972 @example
9973 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
9974 (vxgdb) load prog.o
9975 @end example
9976
9977 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
9978
9979 @smallexample
9980 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
9981 @end smallexample
9982
9983 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
9984 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
9985 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
9986 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
9987 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
9988 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
9989 table.)
9990
9991 @node VxWorks Attach
9992 @subsubsection Running tasks
9993
9994 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
9995 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
9996 follows:
9997
9998 @example
9999 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
10000 @end example
10001
10002 @noindent
10003 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
10004 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
10005 the time of attachment.
10006
10007 @node Embedded Processors
10008 @section Embedded Processors
10009
10010 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
10011 configurations.
10012
10013 @menu
10014 * A29K Embedded:: AMD A29K Embedded
10015 * ARM:: ARM
10016 * H8/300:: Hitachi H8/300
10017 * H8/500:: Hitachi H8/500
10018 * i960:: Intel i960
10019 * M32R/D:: Mitsubishi M32R/D
10020 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
10021 * M88K:: Motorola M88K
10022 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
10023 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
10024 * PowerPC: PowerPC
10025 * SH:: Hitachi SH
10026 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
10027 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
10028 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
10029 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
10030 @end menu
10031
10032 @node A29K Embedded
10033 @subsection AMD A29K Embedded
10034
10035 @menu
10036 * A29K UDI::
10037 * A29K EB29K::
10038 * Comms (EB29K):: Communications setup
10039 * gdb-EB29K:: EB29K cross-debugging
10040 * Remote Log:: Remote log
10041 @end menu
10042
10043 @table @code
10044
10045 @kindex target adapt
10046 @item target adapt @var{dev}
10047 Adapt monitor for A29K.
10048
10049 @kindex target amd-eb
10050 @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
10051 @cindex AMD EB29K
10052 Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
10053 @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
10054 @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
10055 name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
10056 @xref{A29K EB29K, ,EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
10057
10058 @end table
10059
10060 @node A29K UDI
10061 @subsubsection A29K UDI
10062
10063 @cindex UDI
10064 @cindex AMD29K via UDI
10065
10066 @value{GDBN} supports AMD's UDI (``Universal Debugger Interface'')
10067 protocol for debugging the a29k processor family. To use this
10068 configuration with AMD targets running the MiniMON monitor, you need the
10069 program @code{MONTIP}, available from AMD at no charge. You can also
10070 use @value{GDBN} with the UDI-conformant a29k simulator program
10071 @code{ISSTIP}, also available from AMD.
10072
10073 @table @code
10074 @item target udi @var{keyword}
10075 @kindex udi
10076 Select the UDI interface to a remote a29k board or simulator, where
10077 @var{keyword} is an entry in the AMD configuration file @file{udi_soc}.
10078 This file contains keyword entries which specify parameters used to
10079 connect to a29k targets. If the @file{udi_soc} file is not in your
10080 working directory, you must set the environment variable @samp{UDICONF}
10081 to its pathname.
10082 @end table
10083
10084 @node A29K EB29K
10085 @subsubsection EBMON protocol for AMD29K
10086
10087 @cindex EB29K board
10088 @cindex running 29K programs
10089
10090 AMD distributes a 29K development board meant to fit in a PC, together
10091 with a DOS-hosted monitor program called @code{EBMON}. As a shorthand
10092 term, this development system is called the ``EB29K''. To use
10093 @value{GDBN} from a Unix system to run programs on the EB29K board, you
10094 must first connect a serial cable between the PC (which hosts the EB29K
10095 board) and a serial port on the Unix system. In the following, we
10096 assume you've hooked the cable between the PC's @file{COM1} port and
10097 @file{/dev/ttya} on the Unix system.
10098
10099 @node Comms (EB29K)
10100 @subsubsection Communications setup
10101
10102 The next step is to set up the PC's port, by doing something like this
10103 in DOS on the PC:
10104
10105 @example
10106 C:\> MODE com1:9600,n,8,1,none
10107 @end example
10108
10109 @noindent
10110 This example---run on an MS DOS 4.0 system---sets the PC port to 9600
10111 bps, no parity, eight data bits, one stop bit, and no ``retry'' action;
10112 you must match the communications parameters when establishing the Unix
10113 end of the connection as well.
10114 @c FIXME: Who knows what this "no retry action" crud from the DOS manual may
10115 @c mean? It's optional; leave it out? ---doc@cygnus.com, 25feb91
10116 @c
10117 @c It's optional, but it's unwise to omit it: who knows what is the
10118 @c default value set when the DOS machines boots? "No retry" means that
10119 @c the DOS serial device driver won't retry the operation if it fails;
10120 @c I understand that this is needed because the GDB serial protocol
10121 @c handles any errors and retransmissions itself. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3sep99
10122
10123 To give control of the PC to the Unix side of the serial line, type
10124 the following at the DOS console:
10125
10126 @example
10127 C:\> CTTY com1
10128 @end example
10129
10130 @noindent
10131 (Later, if you wish to return control to the DOS console, you can use
10132 the command @code{CTTY con}---but you must send it over the device that
10133 had control, in our example over the @file{COM1} serial line.)
10134
10135 From the Unix host, use a communications program such as @code{tip} or
10136 @code{cu} to communicate with the PC; for example,
10137
10138 @example
10139 cu -s 9600 -l /dev/ttya
10140 @end example
10141
10142 @noindent
10143 The @code{cu} options shown specify, respectively, the linespeed and the
10144 serial port to use. If you use @code{tip} instead, your command line
10145 may look something like the following:
10146
10147 @example
10148 tip -9600 /dev/ttya
10149 @end example
10150
10151 @noindent
10152 Your system may require a different name where we show
10153 @file{/dev/ttya} as the argument to @code{tip}. The communications
10154 parameters, including which port to use, are associated with the
10155 @code{tip} argument in the ``remote'' descriptions file---normally the
10156 system table @file{/etc/remote}.
10157 @c FIXME: What if anything needs doing to match the "n,8,1,none" part of
10158 @c the DOS side's comms setup? cu can support -o (odd
10159 @c parity), -e (even parity)---apparently no settings for no parity or
10160 @c for character size. Taken from stty maybe...? John points out tip
10161 @c can set these as internal variables, eg ~s parity=none; man stty
10162 @c suggests that it *might* work to stty these options with stdin or
10163 @c stdout redirected... ---doc@cygnus.com, 25feb91
10164 @c
10165 @c There's nothing to be done for the "none" part of the DOS MODE
10166 @c command. The rest of the parameters should be matched by the
10167 @c baudrate, bits, and parity used by the Unix side. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3Sep99
10168
10169 @kindex EBMON
10170 Using the @code{tip} or @code{cu} connection, change the DOS working
10171 directory to the directory containing a copy of your 29K program, then
10172 start the PC program @code{EBMON} (an EB29K control program supplied
10173 with your board by AMD). You should see an initial display from
10174 @code{EBMON} similar to the one that follows, ending with the
10175 @code{EBMON} prompt @samp{#}---
10176
10177 @example
10178 C:\> G:
10179
10180 G:\> CD \usr\joe\work29k
10181
10182 G:\USR\JOE\WORK29K> EBMON
10183 Am29000 PC Coprocessor Board Monitor, version 3.0-18
10184 Copyright 1990 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
10185 Written by Gibbons and Associates, Inc.
10186
10187 Enter '?' or 'H' for help
10188
10189 PC Coprocessor Type = EB29K
10190 I/O Base = 0x208
10191 Memory Base = 0xd0000
10192
10193 Data Memory Size = 2048KB
10194 Available I-RAM Range = 0x8000 to 0x1fffff
10195 Available D-RAM Range = 0x80002000 to 0x801fffff
10196
10197 PageSize = 0x400
10198 Register Stack Size = 0x800
10199 Memory Stack Size = 0x1800
10200
10201 CPU PRL = 0x3
10202 Am29027 Available = No
10203 Byte Write Available = Yes
10204
10205 # ~.
10206 @end example
10207
10208 Then exit the @code{cu} or @code{tip} program (done in the example by
10209 typing @code{~.} at the @code{EBMON} prompt). @code{EBMON} keeps
10210 running, ready for @value{GDBN} to take over.
10211
10212 For this example, we've assumed what is probably the most convenient
10213 way to make sure the same 29K program is on both the PC and the Unix
10214 system: a PC/NFS connection that establishes ``drive @file{G:}'' on the
10215 PC as a file system on the Unix host. If you do not have PC/NFS or
10216 something similar connecting the two systems, you must arrange some
10217 other way---perhaps floppy-disk transfer---of getting the 29K program
10218 from the Unix system to the PC; @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} download it over the
10219 serial line.
10220
10221 @node gdb-EB29K
10222 @subsubsection EB29K cross-debugging
10223
10224 Finally, @code{cd} to the directory containing an image of your 29K
10225 program on the Unix system, and start @value{GDBN}---specifying as argument the
10226 name of your 29K program:
10227
10228 @example
10229 cd /usr/joe/work29k
10230 @value{GDBP} myfoo
10231 @end example
10232
10233 @need 500
10234 Now you can use the @code{target} command:
10235
10236 @example
10237 target amd-eb /dev/ttya 9600 MYFOO
10238 @c FIXME: test above 'target amd-eb' as spelled, with caps! caps are meant to
10239 @c emphasize that this is the name as seen by DOS (since I think DOS is
10240 @c single-minded about case of letters). ---doc@cygnus.com, 25feb91
10241 @end example
10242
10243 @noindent
10244 In this example, we've assumed your program is in a file called
10245 @file{myfoo}. Note that the filename given as the last argument to
10246 @code{target amd-eb} should be the name of the program as it appears to DOS.
10247 In our example this is simply @code{MYFOO}, but in general it can include
10248 a DOS path, and depending on your transfer mechanism may not resemble
10249 the name on the Unix side.
10250
10251 At this point, you can set any breakpoints you wish; when you are ready
10252 to see your program run on the 29K board, use the @value{GDBN} command
10253 @code{run}.
10254
10255 To stop debugging the remote program, use the @value{GDBN} @code{detach}
10256 command.
10257
10258 To return control of the PC to its console, use @code{tip} or @code{cu}
10259 once again, after your @value{GDBN} session has concluded, to attach to
10260 @code{EBMON}. You can then type the command @code{q} to shut down
10261 @code{EBMON}, returning control to the DOS command-line interpreter.
10262 Type @kbd{CTTY con} to return command input to the main DOS console,
10263 and type @kbd{~.} to leave @code{tip} or @code{cu}.
10264
10265 @node Remote Log
10266 @subsubsection Remote log
10267 @kindex eb.log
10268 @cindex log file for EB29K
10269
10270 The @code{target amd-eb} command creates a file @file{eb.log} in the
10271 current working directory, to help debug problems with the connection.
10272 @file{eb.log} records all the output from @code{EBMON}, including echoes
10273 of the commands sent to it. Running @samp{tail -f} on this file in
10274 another window often helps to understand trouble with @code{EBMON}, or
10275 unexpected events on the PC side of the connection.
10276
10277 @node ARM
10278 @subsection ARM
10279
10280 @table @code
10281
10282 @kindex target rdi
10283 @item target rdi @var{dev}
10284 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
10285 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
10286 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
10287
10288 @kindex target rdp
10289 @item target rdp @var{dev}
10290 ARM Demon monitor.
10291
10292 @end table
10293
10294 @node H8/300
10295 @subsection Hitachi H8/300
10296
10297 @table @code
10298
10299 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
10300 @item target hms @var{dev}
10301 A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
10302 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
10303 line and the communications speed used.
10304
10305 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
10306 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
10307 E7000 emulator for Hitachi H8 and SH.
10308
10309 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
10310 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
10311 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
10312 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
10313 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
10314
10315 @end table
10316
10317 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
10318 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
10319 @cindex download to Hitachi SH
10320 @cindex Hitachi SH download
10321 When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500
10322 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi
10323 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
10324 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
10325
10326 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
10327 Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
10328
10329 @enumerate
10330 @item
10331 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
10332 for Hitachi microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
10333 emulator for the Hitachi SH and the Hitachi 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
10334 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Hitachi SH,
10335 H8/300, or H8/500.)
10336
10337 @item
10338 what serial device connects your host to your Hitachi board (the first
10339 serial device available on your host is the default).
10340
10341 @item
10342 what speed to use over the serial device.
10343 @end enumerate
10344
10345 @menu
10346 * Hitachi Boards:: Connecting to Hitachi boards.
10347 * Hitachi ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
10348 * Hitachi Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros.
10349 @end menu
10350
10351 @node Hitachi Boards
10352 @subsubsection Connecting to Hitachi boards
10353
10354 @c only for Unix hosts
10355 @kindex device
10356 @cindex serial device, Hitachi micros
10357 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
10358 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
10359 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
10360 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
10361
10362 @kindex speed
10363 @cindex serial line speed, Hitachi micros
10364 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
10365 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
10366 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
10367 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
10368 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
10369
10370 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
10371 use a Unix host to debug your Hitachi microprocessor programs. If you
10372 use a DOS host,
10373 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
10374 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
10375 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
10376 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
10377
10378 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
10379 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
10380 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
10381 the Hitachi SH and the H8/500.
10382
10383 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
10384 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
10385 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
10386 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
10387 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
10388 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
10389 @code{COM2}.
10390
10391 @example
10392 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
10393 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
10394
10395 Resident portion of MODE loaded
10396
10397 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
10398
10399 @end example
10400
10401 @quotation
10402 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
10403 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
10404 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
10405 your development board.
10406 @end quotation
10407
10408 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
10409 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
10410 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBP}} with
10411 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
10412 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
10413 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
10414 cross-debugging to the Hitachi board, and the @code{load} command to
10415 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
10416 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
10417 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
10418 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
10419 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
10420 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
10421
10422 @smallexample
10423 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
10424 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
10425 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
10426 the conditions.
10427 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
10428 for details.
10429 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
10430 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
10431 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
10432 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
10433 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
10434 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
10435 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
10436 @end smallexample
10437
10438 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
10439 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
10440 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
10441 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
10442 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
10443 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
10444
10445 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
10446 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
10447 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
10448
10449 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
10450 @itemize @bullet
10451 @item
10452 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
10453 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
10454
10455 @item
10456 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
10457 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
10458 to detect program completion.
10459 @end itemize
10460
10461 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
10462 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
10463
10464 @node Hitachi ICE
10465 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
10466
10467 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi ICE}
10468 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
10469 Hitachi SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
10470 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
10471
10472 @table @code
10473 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
10474 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
10475 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
10476 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
10477 (for example, @samp{9600}).
10478
10479 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
10480 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
10481 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
10482 @end table
10483
10484 @node Hitachi Special
10485 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros
10486
10487 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
10488
10489 @table @code
10490
10491 @kindex set machine
10492 @kindex show machine
10493 @item set machine h8300
10494 @itemx set machine h8300h
10495 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
10496 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
10497 to check which variant is currently in effect.
10498
10499 @end table
10500
10501 @node H8/500
10502 @subsection H8/500
10503
10504 @table @code
10505
10506 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
10507 @cindex memory models, H8/500
10508 @item set memory @var{mod}
10509 @itemx show memory
10510 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
10511 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
10512 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
10513 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
10514
10515 @end table
10516
10517 @node i960
10518 @subsection Intel i960
10519
10520 @table @code
10521
10522 @kindex target mon960
10523 @item target mon960 @var{dev}
10524 MON960 monitor for Intel i960.
10525
10526 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
10527 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
10528 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
10529 @file{/dev/ttya}.
10530
10531 @end table
10532
10533 @cindex Nindy
10534 @cindex i960
10535 @dfn{Nindy} is a ROM Monitor program for Intel 960 target systems. When
10536 @value{GDBN} is configured to control a remote Intel 960 using Nindy, you can
10537 tell @value{GDBN} how to connect to the 960 in several ways:
10538
10539 @itemize @bullet
10540 @item
10541 Through command line options specifying serial port, version of the
10542 Nindy protocol, and communications speed;
10543
10544 @item
10545 By responding to a prompt on startup;
10546
10547 @item
10548 By using the @code{target} command at any point during your @value{GDBN}
10549 session. @xref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}.
10550
10551 @kindex target nindy
10552 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
10553 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
10554 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
10555 @file{/dev/ttya}.
10556
10557 @end itemize
10558
10559 @cindex download to Nindy-960
10560 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
10561 downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
10562 @value{GDBN}.
10563
10564 @menu
10565 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
10566 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
10567 * Nindy Reset:: Nindy reset command
10568 @end menu
10569
10570 @node Nindy Startup
10571 @subsubsection Startup with Nindy
10572
10573 If you simply start @code{@value{GDBP}} without using any command-line
10574 options, you are prompted for what serial port to use, @emph{before} you
10575 reach the ordinary @value{GDBN} prompt:
10576
10577 @example
10578 Attach /dev/ttyNN -- specify NN, or "quit" to quit:
10579 @end example
10580
10581 @noindent
10582 Respond to the prompt with whatever suffix (after @samp{/dev/tty})
10583 identifies the serial port you want to use. You can, if you choose,
10584 simply start up with no Nindy connection by responding to the prompt
10585 with an empty line. If you do this and later wish to attach to Nindy,
10586 use @code{target} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
10587
10588 @node Nindy Options
10589 @subsubsection Options for Nindy
10590
10591 These are the startup options for beginning your @value{GDBN} session with a
10592 Nindy-960 board attached:
10593
10594 @table @code
10595 @item -r @var{port}
10596 Specify the serial port name of a serial interface to be used to connect
10597 to the target system. This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is
10598 configured for the Intel 960 target architecture. You may specify
10599 @var{port} as any of: a full pathname (e.g. @samp{-r /dev/ttya}), a
10600 device name in @file{/dev} (e.g. @samp{-r ttya}), or simply the unique
10601 suffix for a specific @code{tty} (e.g. @samp{-r a}).
10602
10603 @item -O
10604 (An uppercase letter ``O'', not a zero.) Specify that @value{GDBN} should use
10605 the ``old'' Nindy monitor protocol to connect to the target system.
10606 This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is configured for the Intel 960
10607 target architecture.
10608
10609 @quotation
10610 @emph{Warning:} if you specify @samp{-O}, but are actually trying to
10611 connect to a target system that expects the newer protocol, the connection
10612 fails, appearing to be a speed mismatch. @value{GDBN} repeatedly
10613 attempts to reconnect at several different line speeds. You can abort
10614 this process with an interrupt.
10615 @end quotation
10616
10617 @item -brk
10618 Specify that @value{GDBN} should first send a @code{BREAK} signal to the target
10619 system, in an attempt to reset it, before connecting to a Nindy target.
10620
10621 @quotation
10622 @emph{Warning:} Many target systems do not have the hardware that this
10623 requires; it only works with a few boards.
10624 @end quotation
10625 @end table
10626
10627 The standard @samp{-b} option controls the line speed used on the serial
10628 port.
10629
10630 @c @group
10631 @node Nindy Reset
10632 @subsubsection Nindy reset command
10633
10634 @table @code
10635 @item reset
10636 @kindex reset
10637 For a Nindy target, this command sends a ``break'' to the remote target
10638 system; this is only useful if the target has been equipped with a
10639 circuit to perform a hard reset (or some other interesting action) when
10640 a break is detected.
10641 @end table
10642 @c @end group
10643
10644 @node M32R/D
10645 @subsection Mitsubishi M32R/D
10646
10647 @table @code
10648
10649 @kindex target m32r
10650 @item target m32r @var{dev}
10651 Mitsubishi M32R/D ROM monitor.
10652
10653 @end table
10654
10655 @node M68K
10656 @subsection M68k
10657
10658 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
10659 target command for the following ROM monitors.
10660
10661 @table @code
10662
10663 @kindex target abug
10664 @item target abug @var{dev}
10665 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
10666
10667 @kindex target cpu32bug
10668 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
10669 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
10670
10671 @kindex target dbug
10672 @item target dbug @var{dev}
10673 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
10674
10675 @kindex target est
10676 @item target est @var{dev}
10677 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
10678
10679 @kindex target rom68k
10680 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
10681 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
10682
10683 @end table
10684
10685 If @value{GDBN} is configured with @code{m68*-ericsson-*}, it will
10686 instead have only a single special target command:
10687
10688 @table @code
10689
10690 @kindex target es1800
10691 @item target es1800 @var{dev}
10692 ES-1800 emulator for M68K.
10693
10694 @end table
10695
10696 [context?]
10697
10698 @table @code
10699
10700 @kindex target rombug
10701 @item target rombug @var{dev}
10702 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
10703
10704 @end table
10705
10706 @node M88K
10707 @subsection M88K
10708
10709 @table @code
10710
10711 @kindex target bug
10712 @item target bug @var{dev}
10713 BUG monitor, running on a MVME187 (m88k) board.
10714
10715 @end table
10716
10717 @node MIPS Embedded
10718 @subsection MIPS Embedded
10719
10720 @cindex MIPS boards
10721 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
10722 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
10723 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
10724
10725 @need 1000
10726 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
10727
10728 @table @code
10729 @item target mips @var{port}
10730 @kindex target mips @var{port}
10731 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
10732 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
10733 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
10734 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
10735 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
10736 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
10737
10738 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
10739 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
10740 debugger:
10741
10742 @example
10743 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
10744 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
10745 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
10746 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
10747 (@value{GDBP}) run
10748 @end example
10749
10750 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
10751 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
10752 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
10753 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
10754 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
10755
10756 @item target pmon @var{port}
10757 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
10758 PMON ROM monitor.
10759
10760 @item target ddb @var{port}
10761 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
10762 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
10763
10764 @item target lsi @var{port}
10765 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
10766 LSI variant of PMON.
10767
10768 @kindex target r3900
10769 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
10770 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
10771
10772 @kindex target array
10773 @item target array @var{dev}
10774 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
10775
10776 @end table
10777
10778
10779 @noindent
10780 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
10781
10782 @table @code
10783 @item set processor @var{args}
10784 @itemx show processor
10785 @kindex set processor @var{args}
10786 @kindex show processor
10787 Use the @code{set processor} command to set the type of MIPS
10788 processor when you want to access processor-type-specific registers.
10789 For example, @code{set processor @var{r3041}} tells @value{GDBN}
10790 to use the CPO registers appropriate for the 3041 chip.
10791 Use the @code{show processor} command to see what MIPS processor @value{GDBN}
10792 is using. Use the @code{info reg} command to see what registers
10793 @value{GDBN} is using.
10794
10795 @item set mipsfpu double
10796 @itemx set mipsfpu single
10797 @itemx set mipsfpu none
10798 @itemx show mipsfpu
10799 @kindex set mipsfpu
10800 @kindex show mipsfpu
10801 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
10802 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
10803 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
10804 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
10805 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
10806 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
10807 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
10808 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
10809 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
10810 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
10811 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
10812 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
10813 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
10814
10815 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
10816 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
10817 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
10818
10819 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
10820 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
10821
10822 @item set remotedebug @var{n}
10823 @itemx show remotedebug
10824 @kindex set remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
10825 @kindex show remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
10826 @cindex @code{remotedebug}, MIPS protocol
10827 @cindex MIPS @code{remotedebug} protocol
10828 @c FIXME! For this to be useful, you must know something about the MIPS
10829 @c FIXME...protocol. Where is it described?
10830 You can see some debugging information about communications with the board
10831 by setting the @code{remotedebug} variable. If you set it to @code{1} using
10832 @samp{set remotedebug 1}, every packet is displayed. If you set it
10833 to @code{2}, every character is displayed. You can check the current value
10834 at any time with the command @samp{show remotedebug}.
10835
10836 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
10837 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
10838 @itemx show timeout
10839 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
10840 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
10841 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
10842 @kindex set timeout
10843 @kindex show timeout
10844 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
10845 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
10846 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
10847 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
10848 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
10849 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
10850 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
10851 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
10852 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
10853 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
10854
10855 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
10856 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
10857 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
10858 to run before stopping.
10859 @end table
10860
10861 @node PowerPC
10862 @subsection PowerPC
10863
10864 @table @code
10865
10866 @kindex target dink32
10867 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
10868 DINK32 ROM monitor.
10869
10870 @kindex target ppcbug
10871 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
10872 @kindex target ppcbug1
10873 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
10874 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
10875
10876 @kindex target sds
10877 @item target sds @var{dev}
10878 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
10879
10880 @end table
10881
10882 @node PA
10883 @subsection HP PA Embedded
10884
10885 @table @code
10886
10887 @kindex target op50n
10888 @item target op50n @var{dev}
10889 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
10890
10891 @kindex target w89k
10892 @item target w89k @var{dev}
10893 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
10894
10895 @end table
10896
10897 @node SH
10898 @subsection Hitachi SH
10899
10900 @table @code
10901
10902 @kindex target hms@r{, with Hitachi SH}
10903 @item target hms @var{dev}
10904 A Hitachi SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
10905 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
10906 the communications speed used.
10907
10908 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi SH}
10909 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
10910 E7000 emulator for Hitachi SH.
10911
10912 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
10913 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
10914 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
10915 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
10916 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
10917
10918 @end table
10919
10920 @node Sparclet
10921 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
10922
10923 @cindex Sparclet
10924
10925 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
10926 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
10927 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
10928 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
10929 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
10930
10931 @table @code
10932 @item timeout @var{args}
10933 @kindex remotetimeout
10934 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
10935 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
10936 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
10937 @end table
10938
10939 @kindex Compiling
10940 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
10941 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
10942 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
10943 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
10944
10945 @example
10946 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
10947 @end example
10948
10949 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
10950
10951 @example
10952 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
10953 @end example
10954
10955 @kindex Running
10956 Once you have set
10957 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
10958 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
10959 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
10960
10961 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
10962
10963 @example
10964 (gdbslet)
10965 @end example
10966
10967 @menu
10968 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
10969 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
10970 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
10971 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
10972 @end menu
10973
10974 @node Sparclet File
10975 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
10976
10977 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
10978
10979 @example
10980 (gdbslet) file prog
10981 @end example
10982
10983 @need 1000
10984 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
10985 @value{GDBN} locates
10986 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
10987 path.
10988 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
10989 files will be searched as well.
10990 @value{GDBN} locates
10991 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
10992 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
10993 If it fails
10994 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
10995
10996 @example
10997 prog: No such file or directory.
10998 @end example
10999
11000 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
11001 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
11002 @code{target} command again.
11003
11004 @node Sparclet Connection
11005 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
11006
11007 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
11008 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
11009
11010 @example
11011 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
11012 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
11013 main () at ../prog.c:3
11014 @end example
11015
11016 @need 750
11017 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
11018
11019 @example
11020 Connected to ttya.
11021 @end example
11022
11023 @node Sparclet Download
11024 @subsubsection Sparclet download
11025
11026 @cindex download to Sparclet
11027 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
11028 you can use the @value{GDBN}
11029 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
11030 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
11031 command.
11032 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
11033 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
11034 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
11035 of each of the file's sections.
11036 For instance, if the program
11037 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
11038 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
11039
11040 @example
11041 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
11042 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
11043 @end example
11044
11045 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
11046 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
11047 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
11048
11049 @node Sparclet Execution
11050 @subsubsection Running and debugging
11051
11052 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
11053 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
11054 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
11055 manual for the list of commands.
11056
11057 @example
11058 (gdbslet) b main
11059 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
11060 (gdbslet) run
11061 Starting program: prog
11062 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
11063 3 char *symarg = 0;
11064 (gdbslet) step
11065 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
11066 (gdbslet)
11067 @end example
11068
11069 @node Sparclite
11070 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
11071
11072 @table @code
11073
11074 @kindex target sparclite
11075 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
11076 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
11077 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
11078 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
11079 remote protocol.
11080
11081 @end table
11082
11083 @node ST2000
11084 @subsection Tandem ST2000
11085
11086 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
11087 STDBUG protocol.
11088
11089 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
11090 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
11091
11092 @example
11093 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
11094 @end example
11095
11096 @noindent
11097 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
11098 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
11099 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
11100 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
11101 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
11102
11103 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
11104 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
11105 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
11106 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
11107 available on your host computer.
11108 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
11109 @c basically hearsay.
11110
11111 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
11112 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
11113 environment:
11114
11115 @table @code
11116 @item st2000 @var{command}
11117 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
11118 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
11119 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
11120 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
11121 manual for available commands.
11122
11123 @item connect
11124 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
11125 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
11126 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
11127 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
11128 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
11129 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
11130 @end table
11131
11132 @node Z8000
11133 @subsection Zilog Z8000
11134
11135 @cindex Z8000
11136 @cindex simulator, Z8000
11137 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
11138
11139 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
11140 a Z8000 simulator.
11141
11142 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
11143 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
11144 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
11145 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
11146
11147 @table @code
11148 @item target sim @var{args}
11149 @kindex sim
11150 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
11151 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
11152 options, specify them via @var{args}.
11153 @end table
11154
11155 @noindent
11156 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
11157 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
11158 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
11159 to run your program, and so on.
11160
11161 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
11162 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
11163 additional items of information as specially named registers:
11164
11165 @table @code
11166
11167 @item cycles
11168 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
11169
11170 @item insts
11171 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
11172
11173 @item time
11174 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
11175
11176 @end table
11177
11178 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
11179 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
11180 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
11181 simulated clock ticks.
11182
11183 @node Architectures
11184 @section Architectures
11185
11186 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
11187 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
11188
11189 @menu
11190 * A29K::
11191 * Alpha::
11192 * MIPS::
11193 @end menu
11194
11195 @node A29K
11196 @subsection A29K
11197
11198 @table @code
11199
11200 @kindex set rstack_high_address
11201 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
11202 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
11203 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
11204 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
11205 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
11206 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
11207 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
11208 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
11209 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
11210 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
11211 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
11212 hexadecimal.
11213
11214 @kindex show rstack_high_address
11215 @item show rstack_high_address
11216 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
11217 processors.
11218
11219 @end table
11220
11221 @node Alpha
11222 @subsection Alpha
11223
11224 See the following section.
11225
11226 @node MIPS
11227 @subsection MIPS
11228
11229 @cindex stack on Alpha
11230 @cindex stack on MIPS
11231 @cindex Alpha stack
11232 @cindex MIPS stack
11233 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
11234 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
11235 find the beginning of a function.
11236
11237 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
11238 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
11239 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
11240 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
11241 commands:
11242
11243 @table @code
11244 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha,MIPS)
11245 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
11246 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
11247 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
11248 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
11249 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
11250 and therefore the longer it takes to run.
11251
11252 @item show heuristic-fence-post
11253 Display the current limit.
11254 @end table
11255
11256 @noindent
11257 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
11258 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
11259
11260
11261 @node Controlling GDB
11262 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
11263
11264 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
11265 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
11266 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
11267 described here.
11268
11269 @menu
11270 * Prompt:: Prompt
11271 * Editing:: Command editing
11272 * History:: Command history
11273 * Screen Size:: Screen size
11274 * Numbers:: Numbers
11275 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
11276 @end menu
11277
11278 @node Prompt
11279 @section Prompt
11280
11281 @cindex prompt
11282
11283 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
11284 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
11285 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
11286 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
11287 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
11288 which one you are talking to.
11289
11290 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
11291 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
11292 or a prompt that does not.
11293
11294 @table @code
11295 @kindex set prompt
11296 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
11297 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
11298
11299 @kindex show prompt
11300 @item show prompt
11301 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
11302 @end table
11303
11304 @node Editing
11305 @section Command editing
11306 @cindex readline
11307 @cindex command line editing
11308
11309 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
11310 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
11311 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
11312 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
11313 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
11314 debugging sessions.
11315
11316 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
11317 command @code{set}.
11318
11319 @table @code
11320 @kindex set editing
11321 @cindex editing
11322 @item set editing
11323 @itemx set editing on
11324 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
11325
11326 @item set editing off
11327 Disable command line editing.
11328
11329 @kindex show editing
11330 @item show editing
11331 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
11332 @end table
11333
11334 @node History
11335 @section Command history
11336
11337 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
11338 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
11339 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
11340 history facility.
11341
11342 @table @code
11343 @cindex history substitution
11344 @cindex history file
11345 @kindex set history filename
11346 @kindex GDBHISTFILE
11347 @item set history filename @var{fname}
11348 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
11349 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
11350 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
11351 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
11352 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
11353 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
11354 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
11355 is not set.
11356
11357 @cindex history save
11358 @kindex set history save
11359 @item set history save
11360 @itemx set history save on
11361 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
11362 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
11363
11364 @item set history save off
11365 Stop recording command history in a file.
11366
11367 @cindex history size
11368 @kindex set history size
11369 @item set history size @var{size}
11370 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
11371 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
11372 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
11373 @end table
11374
11375 @cindex history expansion
11376 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
11377 @ifset have-readline-appendices
11378 @xref{Event Designators}.
11379 @end ifset
11380
11381 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
11382 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
11383 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
11384 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
11385 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
11386 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
11387 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
11388
11389 The commands to control history expansion are:
11390
11391 @table @code
11392 @kindex set history expansion
11393 @item set history expansion on
11394 @itemx set history expansion
11395 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
11396
11397 @item set history expansion off
11398 Disable history expansion.
11399
11400 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
11401 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
11402 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
11403 @ifset have-readline-appendices
11404 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
11405 @end ifset
11406
11407 @c @group
11408 @kindex show history
11409 @item show history
11410 @itemx show history filename
11411 @itemx show history save
11412 @itemx show history size
11413 @itemx show history expansion
11414 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
11415 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
11416 @c @end group
11417 @end table
11418
11419 @table @code
11420 @kindex show commands
11421 @item show commands
11422 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
11423
11424 @item show commands @var{n}
11425 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
11426
11427 @item show commands +
11428 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
11429 @end table
11430
11431 @node Screen Size
11432 @section Screen size
11433 @cindex size of screen
11434 @cindex pauses in output
11435
11436 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
11437 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
11438 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
11439 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
11440 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
11441 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
11442 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
11443 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
11444
11445 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
11446 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
11447 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
11448 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
11449 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
11450 width} commands:
11451
11452 @table @code
11453 @kindex set height
11454 @kindex set width
11455 @kindex show width
11456 @kindex show height
11457 @item set height @var{lpp}
11458 @itemx show height
11459 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
11460 @itemx show width
11461 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
11462 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
11463 commands display the current settings.
11464
11465 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
11466 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
11467 file or to an editor buffer.
11468
11469 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
11470 from wrapping its output.
11471 @end table
11472
11473 @node Numbers
11474 @section Numbers
11475 @cindex number representation
11476 @cindex entering numbers
11477
11478 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
11479 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
11480 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
11481 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that begin with none of these are, by
11482 default, entered in base 10; likewise, the default display for
11483 numbers---when no particular format is specified---is base 10. You can
11484 change the default base for both input and output with the @code{set
11485 radix} command.
11486
11487 @table @code
11488 @kindex set input-radix
11489 @item set input-radix @var{base}
11490 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
11491 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
11492 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
11493 example, any of
11494
11495 @smallexample
11496 set radix 012
11497 set radix 10.
11498 set radix 0xa
11499 @end smallexample
11500
11501 @noindent
11502 sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
11503 leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
11504
11505 @kindex set output-radix
11506 @item set output-radix @var{base}
11507 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
11508 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
11509 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
11510
11511 @kindex show input-radix
11512 @item show input-radix
11513 Display the current default base for numeric input.
11514
11515 @kindex show output-radix
11516 @item show output-radix
11517 Display the current default base for numeric display.
11518 @end table
11519
11520 @node Messages/Warnings
11521 @section Optional warnings and messages
11522
11523 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
11524 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
11525 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
11526 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
11527
11528 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
11529 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
11530 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
11531
11532 @table @code
11533 @kindex set verbose
11534 @item set verbose on
11535 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
11536
11537 @item set verbose off
11538 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
11539
11540 @kindex show verbose
11541 @item show verbose
11542 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
11543 @end table
11544
11545 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
11546 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
11547 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
11548 symbol files}).
11549
11550 @table @code
11551
11552 @kindex set complaints
11553 @item set complaints @var{limit}
11554 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
11555 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
11556 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
11557 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
11558
11559 @kindex show complaints
11560 @item show complaints
11561 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
11562
11563 @end table
11564
11565 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
11566 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
11567 you try to run a program which is already running:
11568
11569 @example
11570 (@value{GDBP}) run
11571 The program being debugged has been started already.
11572 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
11573 @end example
11574
11575 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
11576 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
11577
11578 @table @code
11579
11580 @kindex set confirm
11581 @cindex flinching
11582 @cindex confirmation
11583 @cindex stupid questions
11584 @item set confirm off
11585 Disables confirmation requests.
11586
11587 @item set confirm on
11588 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
11589
11590 @kindex show confirm
11591 @item show confirm
11592 Displays state of confirmation requests.
11593
11594 @end table
11595
11596 @node Sequences
11597 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
11598
11599 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
11600 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
11601 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
11602 files.
11603
11604 @menu
11605 * Define:: User-defined commands
11606 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
11607 * Command Files:: Command files
11608 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
11609 @end menu
11610
11611 @node Define
11612 @section User-defined commands
11613
11614 @cindex user-defined command
11615 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
11616 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
11617 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
11618 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
11619 via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
11620
11621 @smallexample
11622 define adder
11623 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
11624 @end smallexample
11625
11626 @noindent
11627 To execute the command use:
11628
11629 @smallexample
11630 adder 1 2 3
11631 @end smallexample
11632
11633 @noindent
11634 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
11635 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
11636 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
11637 functions calls.
11638
11639 @table @code
11640
11641 @kindex define
11642 @item define @var{commandname}
11643 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
11644 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
11645
11646 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
11647 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
11648 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
11649
11650 @kindex if
11651 @kindex else
11652 @item if
11653 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
11654 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
11655 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
11656 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
11657 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
11658 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
11659
11660 @kindex while
11661 @item while
11662 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
11663 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
11664 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
11665 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
11666 evaluates to true.
11667
11668 @kindex document
11669 @item document @var{commandname}
11670 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
11671 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
11672 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
11673 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
11674 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
11675 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
11676
11677 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
11678 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
11679 does not change the documentation.
11680
11681 @kindex help user-defined
11682 @item help user-defined
11683 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
11684 (if any) for each.
11685
11686 @kindex show user
11687 @item show user
11688 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
11689 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
11690 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
11691 definitions for all user-defined commands.
11692
11693 @end table
11694
11695 When user-defined commands are executed, the
11696 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
11697 stops execution of the user-defined command.
11698
11699 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
11700 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
11701 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
11702 messages when used in a user-defined command.
11703
11704 @node Hooks
11705 @section User-defined command hooks
11706 @cindex command hooks
11707 @cindex hooks, for commands
11708
11709 You may define @emph{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
11710 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
11711 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
11712 before that command.
11713
11714 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
11715 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
11716 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
11717 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
11718 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
11719
11720 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
11721 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
11722 you could define:
11723
11724 @example
11725 define hook-stop
11726 handle SIGALRM nopass
11727 end
11728
11729 define hook-run
11730 handle SIGALRM pass
11731 end
11732
11733 define hook-continue
11734 handle SIGLARM pass
11735 end
11736 @end example
11737
11738 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
11739 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
11740 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
11741 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
11742 @c or not?
11743 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
11744 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
11745 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
11746
11747 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
11748 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
11749
11750 @node Command Files
11751 @section Command files
11752
11753 @cindex command files
11754 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
11755 commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
11756 An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
11757 the last command, as it would from the terminal.
11758
11759 @cindex init file
11760 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
11761 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
11762 When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
11763 @dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{.gdbinit} on Unix, or
11764 @file{gdb.ini} on DOS/Windows. @value{GDBN} reads the init file (if
11765 any) in your home directory@footnote{On DOS/Windows systems, the home
11766 directory is the one pointed to by the @code{HOME} environment
11767 variable.}, then processes command line options and operands, and then
11768 reads the init file (if any) in the current working directory. This is
11769 so the init file in your home directory can set options (such as
11770 @code{set complaints}) which affect the processing of the command line
11771 options and operands. The init files are not executed if you use the
11772 @samp{-nx} option; @pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}.
11773
11774 @cindex init file name
11775 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
11776 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
11777 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
11778 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
11779 environments with special init file names:
11780
11781 @kindex .vxgdbinit
11782 @itemize @bullet
11783 @item
11784 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @samp{.vxgdbinit}
11785
11786 @kindex .os68gdbinit
11787 @item
11788 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @samp{.os68gdbinit}
11789
11790 @kindex .esgdbinit
11791 @item
11792 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @samp{.esgdbinit}
11793 @end itemize
11794
11795 You can also request the execution of a command file with the
11796 @code{source} command:
11797
11798 @table @code
11799 @kindex source
11800 @item source @var{filename}
11801 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
11802 @end table
11803
11804 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
11805 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
11806 of the command file.
11807
11808 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
11809 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
11810 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
11811 when called from command files.
11812
11813 @node Output
11814 @section Commands for controlled output
11815
11816 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
11817 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
11818 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
11819 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
11820 want.
11821
11822 @table @code
11823 @kindex echo
11824 @item echo @var{text}
11825 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
11826 @c because it is not in ANSI.
11827 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
11828 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
11829 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
11830 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
11831 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
11832 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
11833 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
11834 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
11835 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
11836
11837 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
11838 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
11839
11840 @example
11841 echo This is some text\n\
11842 which is continued\n\
11843 onto several lines.\n
11844 @end example
11845
11846 produces the same output as
11847
11848 @example
11849 echo This is some text\n
11850 echo which is continued\n
11851 echo onto several lines.\n
11852 @end example
11853
11854 @kindex output
11855 @item output @var{expression}
11856 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
11857 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
11858 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
11859 on expressions.
11860
11861 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
11862 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
11863 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
11864 formats}, for more information.
11865
11866 @kindex printf
11867 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
11868 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
11869 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
11870 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
11871 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
11872 subroutine
11873 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
11874 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
11875 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
11876 @c supported.
11877
11878 @example
11879 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
11880 @end example
11881
11882 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
11883
11884 @smallexample
11885 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
11886 @end smallexample
11887
11888 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
11889 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
11890 letter.
11891 @end table
11892
11893 @node Emacs
11894 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
11895
11896 @cindex Emacs
11897 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
11898 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
11899 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
11900 @value{GDBN}.
11901
11902 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
11903 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
11904 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
11905 created Emacs buffer.
11906 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
11907
11908 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
11909 things:
11910
11911 @itemize @bullet
11912 @item
11913 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
11914 @end itemize
11915
11916 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
11917 and output done by the program you are debugging.
11918
11919 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
11920 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
11921 in this way.
11922
11923 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
11924 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
11925 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
11926 stop.
11927
11928 @itemize @bullet
11929 @item
11930 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
11931 @end itemize
11932
11933 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
11934 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
11935 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
11936 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
11937 and the source.
11938
11939 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
11940 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
11941
11942 @quotation
11943 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
11944 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
11945 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
11946 appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
11947 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
11948 session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
11949 back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
11950 avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
11951 your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
11952 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
11953
11954 A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
11955 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
11956 @value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
11957 @end quotation
11958
11959 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
11960 you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
11961 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
11962 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
11963
11964 @example
11965 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
11966 @end example
11967
11968 @noindent
11969 (preceded by @kbd{M-:} or @kbd{ESC :}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
11970 in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
11971 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
11972
11973 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
11974 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
11975
11976 @table @kbd
11977 @item C-h m
11978 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
11979
11980 @item M-s
11981 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
11982 update the display window to show the current file and location.
11983
11984 @item M-n
11985 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
11986 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
11987 to show the current file and location.
11988
11989 @item M-i
11990 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
11991 display window accordingly.
11992
11993 @item M-x gdb-nexti
11994 Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
11995 display window accordingly.
11996
11997 @item C-c C-f
11998 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
11999 @code{finish} command.
12000
12001 @item M-c
12002 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
12003 command.
12004
12005 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
12006
12007 @item M-u
12008 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
12009 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
12010 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
12011
12012 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
12013
12014 @item M-d
12015 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
12016 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
12017
12018 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
12019
12020 @item C-x &
12021 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
12022 of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
12023 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
12024 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
12025 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
12026
12027 You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
12028 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
12029 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
12030 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
12031 wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
12032 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
12033 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
12034 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
12035 @end table
12036
12037 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
12038 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
12039
12040 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
12041 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
12042 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
12043 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
12044 frame.
12045
12046 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
12047 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
12048 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
12049 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
12050 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
12051 to correspond properly with the code.
12052
12053 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
12054 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
12055 @ignore
12056 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
12057 @kindex Epoch
12058 @kindex inspect
12059
12060 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
12061 called the @code{epoch}
12062 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
12063 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
12064 each value is printed in its own window.
12065 @end ignore
12066
12067 @include annotate.texi
12068
12069 @node GDB Bugs
12070 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
12071 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
12072 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
12073
12074 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
12075
12076 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
12077 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
12078 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
12079 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
12080
12081 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
12082 information that enables us to fix the bug.
12083
12084 @menu
12085 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
12086 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
12087 @end menu
12088
12089 @node Bug Criteria
12090 @section Have you found a bug?
12091 @cindex bug criteria
12092
12093 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
12094
12095 @itemize @bullet
12096 @cindex fatal signal
12097 @cindex debugger crash
12098 @cindex crash of debugger
12099 @item
12100 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
12101 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
12102
12103 @cindex error on valid input
12104 @item
12105 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
12106 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
12107 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
12108
12109 @cindex invalid input
12110 @item
12111 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
12112 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
12113 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
12114 for traditional practice''.
12115
12116 @item
12117 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
12118 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
12119 @end itemize
12120
12121 @node Bug Reporting
12122 @section How to report bugs
12123 @cindex bug reports
12124 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
12125
12126 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
12127 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
12128 contact that organization first.
12129
12130 You can find contact information for many support companies and
12131 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
12132 distribution.
12133 @c should add a web page ref...
12134
12135 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for
12136 @value{GDBN} to this addresses:
12137
12138 @example
12139 bug-gdb@@gnu.org
12140 @end example
12141
12142 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
12143 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
12144 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
12145 @samp{bug-gdb}.
12146
12147 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
12148 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
12149 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
12150 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
12151 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
12152 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
12153 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
12154 bug reports to the mailing list.
12155
12156 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
12157
12158 @example
12159 @sc{gnu} Debugger Bugs
12160 Free Software Foundation Inc.
12161 59 Temple Place - Suite 330
12162 Boston, MA 02111-1307
12163 USA
12164 @end example
12165
12166 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
12167 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
12168 fact or leave it out, state it!
12169
12170 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
12171 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
12172 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
12173 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
12174 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
12175 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
12176 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
12177 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
12178 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
12179
12180 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
12181 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
12182 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
12183 self-contained.
12184
12185 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
12186 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
12187 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
12188 bugs properly.
12189
12190 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
12191
12192 @itemize @bullet
12193 @item
12194 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
12195 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
12196 version}.
12197
12198 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
12199 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
12200
12201 @item
12202 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
12203 version number.
12204
12205 @item
12206 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
12207 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
12208
12209 @item
12210 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
12211 debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
12212 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
12213 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
12214 compilers.
12215
12216 @item
12217 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
12218 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
12219 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
12220 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
12221
12222 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
12223 and then we might not encounter the bug.
12224
12225 @item
12226 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
12227 reproduce the bug.
12228
12229 @item
12230 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
12231 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
12232
12233 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
12234 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
12235 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
12236 a chance to make a mistake.
12237
12238 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
12239 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
12240 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
12241 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
12242 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
12243 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
12244 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
12245 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
12246
12247 @item
12248 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
12249 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
12250 it by context, not by line number.
12251
12252 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
12253 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
12254
12255 @end itemize
12256
12257 Here are some things that are not necessary:
12258
12259 @itemize @bullet
12260 @item
12261 A description of the envelope of the bug.
12262
12263 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
12264 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
12265 changes will not affect it.
12266
12267 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
12268 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
12269 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
12270 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
12271
12272 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
12273 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
12274 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
12275 less time, and so on.
12276
12277 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
12278 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
12279
12280 @item
12281 A patch for the bug.
12282
12283 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
12284 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
12285 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
12286 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
12287
12288 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
12289 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
12290 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
12291 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
12292
12293 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
12294 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
12295 help us to understand.
12296
12297 @item
12298 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
12299
12300 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
12301 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
12302 @end itemize
12303
12304 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
12305 @c and consists of the two following files:
12306 @c rluser.texinfo
12307 @c inc-hist.texinfo
12308 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
12309 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
12310 @include rluser.texinfo
12311 @include inc-hist.texinfo
12312
12313
12314 @node Formatting Documentation
12315 @appendix Formatting Documentation
12316
12317 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
12318 @cindex reference card
12319 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
12320 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
12321 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
12322 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
12323 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
12324 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
12325
12326 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
12327 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
12328
12329 @example
12330 make refcard.dvi
12331 @end example
12332
12333 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
12334 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
12335 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
12336 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
12337 your @sc{dvi} output program.
12338
12339 @cindex documentation
12340
12341 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
12342 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
12343 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
12344 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
12345 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
12346 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
12347
12348 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
12349 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
12350 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
12351 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
12352 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
12353 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
12354 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
12355 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
12356
12357 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
12358 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
12359 @code{makeinfo}.
12360
12361 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
12362 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
12363 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
12364
12365 @example
12366 cd gdb
12367 make gdb.info
12368 @end example
12369
12370 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
12371 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
12372 Texinfo definitions file.
12373
12374 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
12375 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
12376 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
12377 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
12378 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
12379 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
12380 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
12381
12382 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
12383 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
12384 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
12385 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
12386 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
12387 directory.
12388
12389 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
12390 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
12391 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
12392 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
12393
12394 @example
12395 make gdb.dvi
12396 @end example
12397
12398 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
12399
12400 @node Installing GDB
12401 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
12402 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
12403 @cindex installation
12404
12405 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
12406 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
12407 build the @code{gdb} program.
12408 @iftex
12409 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
12410 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
12411 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
12412 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
12413 @end iftex
12414
12415 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
12416 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
12417 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
12418
12419 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
12420 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
12421
12422 @table @code
12423 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
12424 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
12425
12426 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
12427 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
12428
12429 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
12430 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
12431
12432 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
12433 @sc{gnu} include files
12434
12435 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
12436 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
12437
12438 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
12439 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
12440
12441 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
12442 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
12443
12444 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
12445 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
12446
12447 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
12448 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
12449 @end table
12450
12451 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
12452 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
12453 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
12454
12455 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
12456 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
12457 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
12458 argument.
12459
12460 For example:
12461
12462 @example
12463 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
12464 ./configure @var{host}
12465 make
12466 @end example
12467
12468 @noindent
12469 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
12470 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
12471 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
12472 correct value by examining your system.)
12473
12474 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
12475 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
12476 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
12477 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
12478
12479 @need 750
12480 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
12481 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
12482 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
12483
12484 @example
12485 sh configure @var{host}
12486 @end example
12487
12488 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
12489 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
12490 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
12491 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
12492 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
12493
12494 You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
12495 subordinate directories in the @value{GDBN} distribution if you only want to
12496 configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
12497
12498 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
12499 the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
12500
12501 @example
12502 @group
12503 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
12504 ../configure @var{host}
12505 @end group
12506 @end example
12507
12508 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
12509 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
12510 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
12511 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
12512 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
12513
12514 @menu
12515 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
12516 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
12517 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
12518 @end menu
12519
12520 @node Separate Objdir
12521 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
12522
12523 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
12524 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
12525 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
12526 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
12527 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
12528 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
12529 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
12530 program specified there.
12531
12532 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
12533 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
12534 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
12535 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
12536 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
12537 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
12538
12539 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
12540 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
12541
12542 @example
12543 @group
12544 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
12545 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
12546 cd ../gdb-sun4
12547 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
12548 make
12549 @end group
12550 @end example
12551
12552 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
12553 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
12554 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
12555 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
12556 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
12557 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
12558
12559 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
12560 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
12561 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
12562 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
12563 You specify a cross-debugging target by
12564 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
12565
12566 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
12567 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
12568 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
12569
12570 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
12571 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
12572 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
12573 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
12574 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
12575
12576 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
12577 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
12578 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
12579 with each other.
12580
12581 @node Config Names
12582 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
12583
12584 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
12585 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
12586 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
12587 of information in the following pattern:
12588
12589 @example
12590 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
12591 @end example
12592
12593 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
12594 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
12595 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
12596
12597 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
12598 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
12599 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
12600 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
12601 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
12602 abbreviations---for example:
12603
12604 @smallexample
12605 % sh config.sub i386-linux
12606 i386-pc-linux-gnu
12607 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
12608 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
12609 % sh config.sub hp9k700
12610 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
12611 % sh config.sub sun4
12612 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
12613 % sh config.sub sun3
12614 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
12615 % sh config.sub i986v
12616 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
12617 @end smallexample
12618
12619 @noindent
12620 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
12621 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
12622
12623 @node Configure Options
12624 @section @code{configure} options
12625
12626 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
12627 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
12628 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
12629 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
12630
12631 @example
12632 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
12633 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
12634 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
12635 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
12636 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
12637 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
12638 @var{host}
12639 @end example
12640
12641 @noindent
12642 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
12643 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
12644 @samp{--}.
12645
12646 @table @code
12647 @item --help
12648 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
12649
12650 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
12651 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
12652 @file{@var{dir}}.
12653
12654 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
12655 Configure the source to install programs under directory
12656 @file{@var{dir}}.
12657
12658 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
12659 @need 2000
12660 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
12661 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
12662 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
12663 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
12664 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
12665 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
12666 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
12667 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
12668 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
12669 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
12670 @var{dirname}.
12671
12672 @item --norecursion
12673 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
12674 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
12675
12676 @item --target=@var{target}
12677 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
12678 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
12679 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
12680
12681 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
12682
12683 @item @var{host} @dots{}
12684 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
12685
12686 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
12687 @end table
12688
12689 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
12690 needed for special purposes only.
12691
12692 @node Index
12693 @unnumbered Index
12694
12695 @printindex cp
12696
12697 @tex
12698 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
12699 % meantime:
12700 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
12701 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
12702 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
12703 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
12704 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
12705 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
12706 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
12707 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
12708 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
12709 \page\colophon
12710 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
12711 @end tex
12712
12713 @contents
12714 @bye
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